Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-04

annoyed you much"
 "Oh, he ain't bothered me nono, returned Miss Packenham. gruf- fly. 'I'll allow that it's agin the agreement, his a comin' in. and that I ain't fond of children. but he's sort of been company. l guess It was the fruit that drawed him. Hes reen tellin' me that you ain't got none on your side of the house, and he's fond of 1t. You kin take all you want; there's more'n I'll need"
 You are very kind," said Mrs. Per- cival, as she turned to go. And mayn't we in return send in soms flowers. The garden is full of roses still"
 T don't want your flowers said the other, shortly, but you kin have some of my fruit if you care for it- and the boy kin come fur 1t if you do."
 T don't think I do," said Mrs Per cival, a trifle stifny, and took the boy away.
 Curiously enough, one morning the orchard door was again left ajar, and although there had been no storm overnight, the earth beneath the near est peach tree was strewn with blushing windfalls, perfectly ire sistible temptation to the small shape that slid past it and then crept back to look whilst Mummy" dozed on garden bench in the shade of the late blooming roses.
 T never see sich a critter as your ma is for sleepin'." she said to the child as she sat in the shade of the apple tree, knitting. How on earth does she ever attend to her house. work? Or does she let 1t go without attendin' to? Pears to me she don't do nothin' but loll round them rose bushes and sleep the hull blessed time, if what you say is true"
 Miss Packenham then rose sudden ly and took the boys hand.
 Come" she said. "'Twon't be no worse'n her intrudin' on me that day, and I reckon good talkin' to ull do her 8 heap of good. Them buttons has been of your shoes for a week now, and it's time somebody spoke to her sharp" And holding the childs small soft hand in hers she marched through the wall door where Alice Percival slept.
 But the wrath went out of Miss Packenham's breast as soon as she saw her. She drew back with . frightened expression in her eyes.
 Yes, it's me-" she said as she met the surprised stare of Alice's eyes. I'm intrudin' and breakin' agreement, I know; but I reckon it's about time Why didn't you tell me? I never sec anybody SO changed in all my born days. You mustn't sleep out here; it'll be the death of you"
 It will be that, anyway" she an. swered, with a pathetic smile. My mother went the same way, and it came on suddenly with her just as it has done with me. l have always known that it would. Don't ask me to go indoors; like to be out here with the roses Harry loved"
 Miss Packenham felt curious sensation gripping her throat, and looked away to where Willy Boy was chasing nimble grasshopper round and round the garden beds.
 "Aint there no cure for it?" she in. quired.
 Not now. There was once. but it's too late now. It was that that tempt ed me when Mir. Tompsett first asked me to marry him. might have been saved then. He said I might. And there was Willy Boy to live for. too. But oh! Miss Packenham, couldn't do it-I simply couldn't! It seemed like proclamation, like disloy- atty to Harry"
 One thin hand slid to her neck as she spoke, loosening her collar and drew into sight a thread of gold chain. with a large, fiat, old-fashioned locket attached to it.
 Look at him. Miss Packenham." said Alice. Wasn't his noble face?"
 Yes. he was a good lookin' man." she said. at length. But I can't stand here talkin' about men: I've got a pie in the oven." Then she walked away in haste.
 For 4s hours gloom and stiffness hung over the divided house, and then it was broken suddenly by the hacking sound of piled ax and the noise of splitting wood. and Alice Per cival. was startled to see Miss Pack. enham's head appearing suddenly through a gap in the dividing parti. ton and her body followed it imme- diately afterwards.
 I'm takin' down this pesky parti- tion," she said in answer to AIice's startled inquiry. "'Tain't a Christian thing for us two women to live like this. and. besides. want the boy. The thing I need most Is a good mans child to comfort and save me from gettin' sour and onwomanly Let's share the boy between us as long as God spares you to him, and after that"
 Please go on. Miss Packenham. And after that-what," 'Tll take care Of him." replied Miss Packenham" and he mote jist as well be my son, anyway. the way feel to- wards him. and. I'll make a good man of him. If die a tryin' to-" Tn Dutch Guiana the family wealth is converted into ievelry. which the