Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-09-20
NO. l..

And the b. and A. led to Grafton
Heightsl
She left the train and gazed around
In surprise. The depot building was
entirely new, a pretty brick and tile
AFFAIR. with trim flower beds all laid out
for spring planting. She crossed tho
tracks and followed the street leading
to their old home, but was amazed to
find that the trees, mere striplings
when they left, now intertwined their
branches over the sidewalk. An air Of
permanency and restfulness seemed to
envelop the community. Progress WA
there, but not half finished buildings,
torn pavements and moving vans.
How the Ivy had grown over the Bur-
den gateway In front OF, her own old
home she stopped and almost rubbed
her eyes. Had II really been that
prRtty7
No; there was new porch on the
south side. and bay window had been
thrown out from her room. What O
lovely room 1t must be, with that hood
Of light pouring into i'll
II wonder IL they'd carer-
With firmly set lips she threw hesita-
ton to the winds. opened the. low. lfQp
gate and walked up the we'll kepf path
to the front door.
II beg pardon" she said as white
haired lady opened tho door. and then
she stopped. and her face turned FIRST
scarlet, then white. "oh. Mrs Carfuth,
did not know you had bought the
place. Just thought'-
A gently insistent hand drew her In.
side the door and led her into the sit,
ting room. Madeline leaned against
the door jamb. staring around her. It
was Just as they had left II.
why, I thought everything was
sold"
Eyes, but somehow Henry traced
nearly all Of tho things. and what he
could not buy he somehow managed to
duplicate at secondhand shops. Henry
always did think your mothers house
was the finest in Grafton Heights, and
before he was doing so well he used to
tell me that no meant some day to earn
house just like 1t for me-"
Madeline felt tho room spinning
around her. There were other things
Henry Carruth had tried to tell her
more than once, but he had been a
poor, struggling lawyer and she a well
paid illustrator even then. She had
talked of trip to Paris, u caFeer-and
where had 1t all gone7 Lost in wan
derlngs through desert OF apartment
houses, studios, teas and luncheons.
But Henry had realized his ambition or
part of 1t at least. Perhaps now he did
not care 80 much about the rest.
She never knew Just how It happen
cd. but Mrs. Carruth had soon taken
away her wraps, and then, after COM
forting cup of tea, sho had led her
guest over tho old house. The bay
window had made a great improve
ment in Madcline's quarters; otherwise
they were quite the same, with even
some Of her first dra awnings framed and
hung above her old fashioned desk.
Downstairs once more, she gathered
up her wraps and was drawing on her
gloves when Mrs. Carruth excused her
self to look after some dinner details.
Madeline stood by the window looking
Mt the arbor over which wistaria now
chung like loving, harmless old octo-
pus. She reached out ono hand and
felt lovingly Of the old fashioned dam
ask hangings. A step sounded behind
her, and without turning around she
remarked, with something of choke
in her voice:
Mrs Carruth, l never knew before
the bitterness of that old saying, "A
rolling stone gathers no moss-hot even
pleasant memories"
A hand rested appealingly on her
shoulder. She looked up to meet Hen
ry Carruth's grave glance.
IL know Of coy corner just meant
for tired rolling stones. VIII you
come, Madeline"
It was midnight when he came back
from town, but Mrs. Carruth was wait
ing for him
II told her VIC must be married be-
fore the LIST. Mrs. Stanhope wanted II
In the now parlor because the Bull
gravia has bay window that would
be fine for a wedding bell, but don't
propose that Madeline shall endure
another moving day"
"And the sweetest part OF 1t all was
that she never blamed her mother for
all these disturbing years-just acted
as II she herself were to blame for q
foolish ambition for a career. That IL
true loyalty, and 1t makes me all the
more willing to trust my boy to her
care"
And Mrs. Carruth turned to find her
son by the window, bis rugged face
pressed against tho old damask hang
ing where no had found his first and
only love that afternoon.