Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-06-13
BBl.AT6D
BY NELLIE cRAvEY GILMORE.
Observation-Disclosures.
Icoayr'gh'. iso7, by Laily Story Pub. 60.

touched the b.le.a.brac and furniture
with warm care 81 Ing hageri. In The
fireplace, a bed Of MEOW Goals
glowel sleeplly. Ming the room witt
coy warmth. A clock licked drowslly.
Beside the rcadiag-table sat a beau
'linl woman. Che elbow rested o.
he table; with the other hand. she
vas Idly turning the leaves Of book.
ser fall. creamy lids dropped over the
eyes fastened upoa the pages. Her
lips, scarlet tremulous, We're curved
n little half-smile that enhanced
heir exquisite mold. Two delicate
pink roses had slipped into her cheeks
md her glistening gold hair tumblod
ravlshingly over her white forehead.
After awhile, she rose and crossed
the room 10 a window; parting tn
rich, velvet curtains, she stared curl
ously out into the traiilc-stlrred stree,
A hne sleet had set In and was
pelting the window-panes sharply
Cars and cabs and carriages few back
aad forth in constantly.shiftlng pane
rama. The street was alive witt
metorcars. All at once, one OF n
great palpitating monsters slid up q
the sidewalk In front Of the gate and o
man stepped out. He wore heay,
storm'coat buttoned from chin o.
knee, and his alpine was drawn dow.
over his eyes. 1t was impossible
recognize him In the uncertain. arti
fetal light OF the street. but there wa
something subtly familiar about The
swing OF his gait. the conspicuous
breadth OF his shoulders, that mado
her heart start queerly.
She turned and went back to her
chair, waiting with stirring pulses TO
the door-bell to ring. II sounded I'm
peraively, almost on the instant. AM
Rogers came in. a moment later, AM
handed her card.
"Mr. J. Hardiman Pierce"
She read the name with crimsonine
cheeks. Jack! After four years!
She rose and went forward with out
stretched hand as the footman ush
cred him into the draw!ng-room.
Pierce clasped her fingers eagerly
open admiration stamped on ever,
feature.
PATTY" he exclaimed, how you've
changed. And yet-you haven't.
The last was added thoughtful,y. a
his eyes still fingered on her match
less face.
-Four years ago he had said good
by TO Patricia Wellington in this YER
room and gone forth 10 win fame an,
wealth that he might lay them at tn,
foot of his lady-love. Then, she wa
an uniformed girl of lS--pretty in .
fresh, schoolgirl way-but givln;
scant promise of this exquisite crea
ture before him.
There was something new, some
thing misunderstanding delightful
about 1t all: this homecoming he has
anticipated with such shrinkins
spirits.
Poor little Patty" he had musee
on his Journey across the sea, you
must never know that 1t Is but the
remnant of heart am bringing bac.
10 you. In your trust and love. yo,
must never suspect what cad I've
been." His words came back to hir
now. mockingly. He laughed to him
self as he sat talking to beautiful
Patricia Wellington.
when did you reach port?" she wa.
asking, "and whom have you SEEM
"Not a SOUL" he replied, answering
her last question first. Il arrived this
afternoon at three; | came on here as
fast as electricity could bring me.
His look finished the impression he
wished to convey
Patricia laughed softly. Jack was
still the same old Jack when 1t cam.
10 saying pretty things. She told him
so.
Pierce stared at her curiously. Hen
manner puzzled him a triile. 1t
seemed so-impersonal.
81 thought would give you sort
of surprise" he remarked, presently
"or | should have telegraphed.'
"A very pleasant surprise" she sale
with a bright smile.
I'm glad you call 1t pleasant. +
He broke off, for the first time in his
life at loss for words.
did you like it-abroad? she
filed in tactfully.
The blood flow to Pierce's face in a
scarlet tide. He wondered vaguely i
she were not probing his secret with
those keen eyes or hers.
II found everything interesting and
oftentimes, delightful" he replied
but it can't quite come up to-the
stars and Stripes. anywhere
"The girls--did you like them owe,
there ?" she asked next. Jealousy! Sht
did care then, still! She had beer
faithful throughout, and he! His
thoughts flashed over the sea to the
dainty, dimpled face OF Katrina; nei
teardimmed eyes and trembling lips
10 had kissed good-by that day dow1
On the pier, promising to be true!
~ did not have much time for cul