The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-08-08

sweetness OF neT SaTueh, Ou 1ueSuay
evening she espied him. What man
could resist that smile? There was a
silent, perhaps unconscious. invitation
i'll it that brought Tom TO his feet and
to the wall.
Good evening, Mr.. Errett," said the
girl i'll white.
Good evening, Miss Smith," answer
ed the man ON the wall.
'YOu look altogether too comforta-
BILE. | think we shall have to follow
suit and build veranda.
Don't. Use mine," was on his
tongues end, but he only responded,
1T is comfortable" Then the infor-
mality of the situation was too much
for him. won't you come over and
try it?" he pleaded.
I'm afraid the wall is too much for
me-" she said, smiling demurely.
Tom was a man who never turned
back. his hand once on the plow. He
dropped quickly to the ground, on her
side of the fence.
I'm dreadfully lonely" was his
apology
On Wednesday she was not visible,
and there was void upon the earth.
On Thursday and Friday things re-
sumed the new glamour. On Saturday
the moon was a shadOwy crescent
above the tree tops. The stars were
still veiled in sunset mists; the air was
hn nP mia q
and sweet peas. Tom, expectancy
written in every feature, waited for the
f1utter of white amid the flowers, the
sound of a voice which was like no
other voice he had ever heard. At the
first signal of her approach, he stepped
boldly on to the wall.
Special delivery, sir" said a serv-
ants voice behind him. He opened
the letter. conscious that her eyes were
upon him. 1t was from the wife of a
college friend inviting him to spend
Sunday at their country place. He
glanced at his watch. There was bare
ly time to catch the last train. Then
his eyes fell upon her.
Answer sirE'
"No-yes- moment"
His eyes still sought hers.
Can help you" she asked sweetly.
"Will your he flashed eagerly. May
] go to church with you tomorrow"
The corners of her mouth drew to-
gether In wise little smile, for Tom
had not impressed her as being
churchman
Yes, but it's early mass"
Tom did not finch.
"Thanks," he said quietly, and, scrib-
bling few words, he handed them to
the man:
To Mrs Herndon Roberts, Holly House,
Columbia Heights, N. j.:
Another engagement. Impossible to go
Awfully sorry THOMAS ERRETT.
To Mrs Herndon Roberts, Holly House.
Columbia Heights, N. j.:
Your letter miscarried and came too
late Greatly disappointed. VIII run up
next Saturday II convenient to you.
AUGUSTA SMITH.
Herndon Roberts, returning from the
Columbia links, found his wife staring
at the two kilograms with disappointed
eyes
''Fate is against us" she groaned.
tom has another engagement-here's
his wire, and another from Augusta
says that my letter mlscarried and
reached her too late. shall write
them both special delivery now"
Going to her desk, Mrs. Roberts
penned the following notes:
Dear Tom-Don't make any engagement
for next Saturday or Sunday. If you have
one, break it, do. Tom, dear. We are go
ing to try the new links. / can't think of
any stronger induCement. Take the 3:1O
by way of the Cortlandt street ferry.
Hastily, but cordially yours,
AGNES ROBERTS.
MY Dear Augusta. Can't understand my
letter miscarrYing, but l won't cry over
spilled milk, although ! was tempted to.
Delighted at the prospect of having you
with us this coming Saturday. Take the
$40 train by way of the Cortlandt street
ferry. Always affcctionately yours.
AGNES ROBERTS.
The gatekeeper at the ferry shut Tom
from joining the hurrying crowd a
dozen yards in advance.
Sorry, sir, but you're too late" he
said. "Therell be another boat In
few minutes"
Tom, suit case In hand, gazed help
lessly at the closed gate.
TOO late to connect with the 3:10,"
ne said. This boat would have made
it," But his tone was listless.
The official eye still regarded him
,.;, ha
"Where were you bound for?"
Columbia Heights"
"No more trains for the Heights to-
day, sir"
where's the nearest telegraph of
fee" asked Tom, striving to hide the
grin tOf delight which spread over his
face as the man spoke.
He sent his telegram to the Rob
crises, jumped into cab and drove
hOme-elated. Disappointment await
ed him, however. The house next door
was susplciously quiet.
Cook says they've gone away" ven
tured his man as Tom sat down to his
solitary dinner. "Claret sir"
''For how longY asked Tom family.
"All summer sir. Miss Smith has
went = the Hot Springs, Rheumatics
terrible, siC."
Hot Springs gs-rheumatics? repeated
Tom, regardless of his English in his
excitement. 4
81 suppose, sir, that when folks gets
old they feei bit shaky, sir" the man
explained.
"Old" rOared Tom. "What do you
meanY
"The cook said Miss smith would pe
sixty-four come next September, sir"
"Of whom are you speaking, JonesT
my reference is to the maiden party,
sir, Miss Smith, Mrs. Smiths sister-in-
law"
Tom felt his face go white. He
stared stonily at his plate.