Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-18
take 1t. It is ail that ooncsrns yoo.~ And they parted, < Sy.~z X

viliage, .boasting of no. vehicle excell
 8 wheelbarr0w and donkey csrt. Con-
 sequently Dan Courtney. on taking
 leave Of his rival. set forth on foot tn
 the direction of Sweet Briar Farm.
 Courtney encountered few folk on his
 pleasant road to the farm. A couple of farmers-a rosy-cheeked child and an old woman were chiefly those who crossed his path. The old men bada him good evening; the little girl smilc1 at him, and the old woman as she. passed let fall with a chatter the, bundle of sticks she had been gather- l ing in the wood. She was very bent, ] very gray, and very wrinkled; her face encircled in big rusty black poke. bonnet. She was muttering and moan-1 ing strange things to herself as Dan Courtney passed her by.
 But as her mutterings grew moro vo.y hement. he halted, threw her coin, and 8, passed on again.
 Had he glanced round at tho old withered poke -bonneted woman, he would have seen that tear had gliS. tened in her eye.
 T nm very tired" she mumbled, land the bundle is so heavy" Permit me to carry 1t for you" said a voice, some minutes later in her eat
 Waldon, for 1t was he, stopped andss notwithstanding her protestationGs raised the bundle to his shoulder.
 Where do you liver" asked Waldon, keeping pace with her feeble steps.
 Near. the wood" came the highs pitched, sing-song reply. Near the wood"
 You are too old to work"
 Bread must be baked and nres must be made"
 Do you live alone?"
 "Granddaughter Mary lives with mo now"
 Granddaughter Mary ought to as- sist you to gather the fuel for your fire"
 "Masy's young and goes a-swsst- heartin'."
 When you were young did you % = sweetheartin'?"
 She nodded assent and hobbled mors briskly forward.
 Show me where your home is." hel said. T should like to inform your granddaughter Mary that 1t would be more profitable to her if she cared lese for her sweetheart and moro for her grandmother"
 ""rwould be little use," quoth tho grandmother. She's young and it's but nat'ral."
 Natural to be thoughtless?" queried the prince. Have you ever been out of Dovedale?"
 She shook her head.
 "Then Dovedale is your world" He drew I long, long breath. as though the idea was stihing.
 -Four walls and bread to eat, hus- band, ard children to rear." cried che. What more do woman want!"
 And you have been happy?"
 Never So happy as now!" exclaimed clear, ringing voice, and before Wal-' don could recover from his astonish- ment the old dame. with truly mar vclous agility, had vanished-whither he could not say, rPhrygta!. called Waldon. hinging the sticks into a hedge and following the narrow side path Phryga must have taken At the end of the path was small wicker gate. and passing through it Waldon came unexpected ly upon low, matched. rose-covered cottage.
 After waiting several minutes the door opened and some one came swift- ly towards him. No other. indeed. than Phrygia--no longer wrinkled. old and bent; but in her most captivating of summer attire: the simplest of hats upon Ter bronze-gold hair. and tho daintiest of blue ribbons around hep slende. waist.
 Miss Dean," exclaimed Waldoa. lowing low, when will you ceass to be everything that is bewildering and 
 MT. waldon," answered Phrygia. with responding obeisance. when will you learn to be anything but chiv- alrous and manly! What have you done with my kindling wood!"
 T threw 1t away to follow you.s
 ITO follow mel"
 ITO the end of the world." hs addsdv earnestly.
 She coquetted moment with hse ribbons and faces.
 Mi. Courtney must have arrived e the farm by now" she said. T hpps Laviu.a will entertain him nicely. Shall we not go to Sweet Briar, tpoS- waldon hesitated. "on one condition" he said.
 (Which is-7"
 That Dan Courtney returns to town his evening with Harry Bond"
 -Is that what Harry intends to Cor demanded she. ''Is he not a wise many"
 'very." she acquiesced. "why 0 rou not return also?"
 T lack his wisdom truly. but [ eaa- aot.,'
 Bat if 1t is my wish?"
 If it is your wish." he said, fl ,bey:" and he turned quickly on hls leel.
 Indeed. it is not my wish." shs ,ried. Stay. Mir. waldon. and come with mo to Sweet Briar Farm. Mir.