Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-09


 formed her at breakfast-time that he proposed to let her have 8 day all to herself. II want to slip down to Gam mersby,' he added. by way of explana- ton, just on little bit of business"
 What she would have said and done had she only seen the telegram which was dispatched little later cannot even be surmised, for It's destination was not Gammersby, as she imagined, but Allerdale; the man to whom 1t was addressed was none other than John Clifton: and when the president stepped out upon the platform at Gammersby station. John was there to give him greeting.
 A delightful study in contrasts was afforded by the faces of the two men when they met--that of the younger one flushed with eager questioning, the other cast in iron mould, eyes that revealed no secret, lips that told no tale.
 It was no trifie that the president had called him out for. of that John was convinced, but he also knew that the president would choose his own time. It was only when they had tramped away from the beaten track out on the moor that the president touched the fringe of his theme. John said he at last. T want to propound a little parable for your en- lightenment-and for your happiness, too, God grant! Now, listen; here be- ginneth the parable:
 Once upon a time certain young man went forth into far country to preach the Gospel He had little | money in his purse. but he was pass l ing rich, for his mother went with him.
 l By and by the man met certain l maid, and the man looked into the eyes of the maid, and saw that she 1 was fair and good; and the maid looked upon the man, and saw that he was strong in character and worthy of Ia woman's trust. And 1t chanced one day that as they spake to each other with their eyes. the father of the maiden stood by. and understood. and l he said: I am stricken in years and i will soon be gathered to my fathers, and my daughter will need another man by her side to shield her from the world. Here is the one to whom, above all others, l would give her.
 And it also fell out that the mother of the young man was there, and she too, understood. and her heart became as lead, for she said: All these years have reigned alone in my sons heart and now another is seated on the l throne, and my kingdom is divided. And she ras very sorrowful, and went her way with troubled yisage; but the son saw it not, for he loved the maid
 Now, the thing that was hidden from the man was revealed to his serving.maid. and she said: The hear of my mistress is breaking because ol this maiden; there is none to help hel save me- and she penned letter tt the maid telling of the mothers woe
 And then it came to pass that wher the man travelled into the south coun try and asked the maiden to wed, sht had respect to the mother, and also tt herself, and said him nay. But thu man knew naught of the letter
 What's the matter, John? wisl you wouldn interrupt me! Oh, trail to Keswick-just time to catch th' , next? We'll, of course, if you must go Excuse you? Oh, yes, I'll excuse you certainly. Don't trouble about that my lad; I'll easily find my way back Good.by-and God go with you!"
 
 Screened by the friendly pines iron the burning glare of the sun, Mar,
 waited upon Latrigg for the comini of her father.
 Suddenly. close at hand, there wa the whiplike snapping of twig. tn rattle of foot-spurned pebble. a shad ow flung athwart her retreat. and
 looking up. Mary found herself gaz ing into the face of John Clifton.
 Shyly she offered her hand in greet ing.
 You don't ask me why have come Nary" What else could she do bel
 ter than study the fir-cones carpetin
 the ground?
 I've come to make my secon { plea" he went on after very brie pause You remember what toll you in Epping Forest? I've hard ly dared to look my life fl , the face since then. Mary; but now little ray of sunshine has sho through the murk. Then knew notf ing of Sarah Sharp's foolish letter. bu .. I do now. Supposing 1t had never bee written, would your answer to m have been any different?" The little hand held so firmly in hi
 own eager grasp trembled just littl more, and then Mary raised her heat and in her eyes her lover read jus
 the answer that his soul was longin
 for
 But your mother?" Mary inquired after a long but very eloquent intel
 val.
 Sarah was mistaken. An. you III |, tie know my mother. Why. her eye , | are just aching for sight of you A