The Somerset reporter., 1907-08-08
ed him. however. The house next door
was suspiciousiy quiet

ed him. however. The house next door
was suspiciousiy quiet
Cook says they've gone away" ven
tured his man as Tom sat down to his
solitary dinner. "Claret, sirr'
"For how longT asked Tom family.
call summer. sir. Miss Smith has
went to the Hot Springs. Rheumat1cs
terrible. sir"
"Hot Springs-rheumatics repeated
Tom. regardless of his English In his
excitement.
II suppose, sir, that when folks gets
old they feel bit shaky, SIR" the man
explained.
"old" roared Tom. What do you
meanP'
"The cook said Miss Smith would be
eixty-four come next September, SIR"
of whom are you speaking. JonesT
my reference is to the maiden party,
SIR, Miss Smith, Mrs. Smiths slster-in-
law"
Tom felt his face go white. He
stared stonily at his plate.
And she let me call her Miss
Smith, he murmured. remark which,
If his man heard. he gravely ignored.
For a week Tom fingered about his
veranda and garden. desolate and dis
contented, and when q summons came
from Holly House on Friday morning
he blessed the fates Holly House, at
least, would have no haunting memo
ries of her presence Mrs. Roberts
message ran:
Third call to Holly House. Will you
some Saturday?
His reply was brief and expressive
1 will If I have to walk. TOM
Having secured his seat half an hour
before the train left. Tom was deep In
his paper when the train boys began to
cry their wares:
Popular books of the day! Papers.
magazines"
"Give me Harper's," said a quiet
voice from the seat behind.
Tom whirled.
Mrs. Smith, he cried.
81 thought you looked familiar"
smlllngly. "but backs are often deceiv-
ing. Won't you join meE
She made room at her side.
How much of a ride do we have
together?" asked Tom, having migrat-
ed. my stop is Columbia Heights"
"How nice" was her answer you
can help me with my luggage"
This is provldential," he cried.
"Where do you stayP
Holly House"
WHAT
Mrs. Herndon Roberts place. I'm
to be there over Sunday. l met her in
Europe three years ago, soon after my
husbands death"
Tom had opened his mouth to speak.
but the TRANSPORTATION of his face at
her last word was too great for speech.
The mouth closed without a sound. 1t
was she who broke the silence.
1T Is strange that they have never
said anything to either of US about the
other" she Unused. -..->,.--4'
Where we're you last Saturday, Sun
day. MondayT' demanded Tom.
"At Holly House. Were you asked?''
II was. missed my train"
II was to have gone a week before,
but my invitation miscarried," she said.
do you remember the special de-
livery l received three weeks ago?
was standing on the wall talking to
you when 1t came"
She nodded.
ut was an invitation from Mrs. Rob
erts," he said simply.
Then they looked at each other I'M
smllingly, for the situation had sud
denly assumed prophetic Significance
do you know, think they have
been trying to bring us together" Tom
announced presently. Her hand lay on
the cushion beside him. He put his
own over 1t firmly. "Shall we let
them?" he whispered
ut Is too good a Joke to spoil" she
murmured, blushing exqulsitely. do
you think you can keep a straight face
when we are introduced2"
Columbia Heights" yelled the con-
dnctor.