The Washington herald., 1907-02-01
WAINWRICHT'S EXPERIMENT.
BY CONSTANCE DARCY MACKAY.

wright only saw her at meal times. Even
then she merely stopped for a pleasant
word or nod.
But one Sunday night when Vain
wright sat alone on the back porch
stunning at a guitar a white dress
glimmered in the doorway and presently
Mary came out and sat down.
Please don't stop, she cried. as Vain
wright smOtheTed the last chord Of a
college gIee. I'm very fond Of musct"
What else are you fond Of I wonder?"
thought Wainwright and he deity led
her on To speak of herself. She was fond
of reading, she confessed, and knew
many Of the poets by heart. Her taste IN
literature was as simple as II was hne
and the more she spoke the more Vain
wright wondered. for she seemed utterly
content with her present occupation
ANY work that is done well is beauti-
ful," she declared. earnestly. and though
her illusions to herself were delicately
reticent Wainwright found il easy 20 pic
ture her primitive life. Primitive. and yet
not humdrum. Her love Of nature and
beauty forbade that
What a wonderful country il is" unused
Wainwright. where even the rustics have
ideas Of their own, and vivid way Of ex-
pressing them"
Mary's personality was the most ehaI-
longing and Illuminating one that he had
discovered so far, and descriptions OF her
covered several pages Of his notebook.
In the days that followed he found that
If he helped Mary with the supper dishes.
the longer they would have 10 sit on the
porch in the cool OF the evening. So while
she splashed the suds he polished plates
and cups and quoted his favorite authors.
AtteTward they would stroll together
down the orchard path watching the first
stars and listening TO the eerie notes OF
the WhippOOrWill-a pleasant state OF
affairs, designed 10 end abruptly for
Wainwright returned from the fields one
evening 20 find Mrs ROlfe alone in the
kitchen. Mary was gone
Had letter from one Of her folks"
said the farmer, land she went right OF
wouldn't take a cent of her pay, cause
she left so sudden
Wainwright looked blank.
querled
said shed write answered RoIfe. la
conicaIy
But wasn't there any message?" per
sisted Wainwright
Not a word, said farmer. Rolfe. cheer
fully.
Mrs. Rolte had some Of her famous bis
cults for supper but Wainwright had lost
his appetite. He stood ON the back porch
IN the afterglow and everything seemed
strangely deserted. Mary had gone and
something Of the joy of living had gone
with her Existence seemed suddenly very
tame and duh to the young professor re
was conscious Of emotions not classified
in his note book.
Il must have overworked." ne said list,
leSsly to himself as he sat on the Left
rngwclls veranda a week later 1t was
SHUTDOWN A breeze swept uD from the
hudson and a tall glass of lemonade
tinkled pleasantly in Wainwrights hand.
Mrs. Leffingwell. Of whose house party
ne was guest. sat near him in a wicker
chair and chatted irrepressibly.
We've had an inkling Of your exploits
she said. land will expect a full account
of them. Tonight there's a girl coming
TO dine who's awfully fond of that SORT
of thing. She spent the summer working
on farm where she met the most ex-
traordinary young harvester that-there
she is now"
Mary. in a white lace dress. was coming
slowly across the lawn
You didn't leave me any message %
said Wainwright reproachfully, the mo-
ment after their hostess had left them
alone together but I have one for you
l wonder If you viii care to hear it,"
You might try and See" suggested
Mary demurely
When dinner was at its gayest. Mrs.
Lefhngwell turned to Wainwright.
DO YOU think" she said. that your ex-
pertinent was a success?'
Wainwrights eyes met Mary's in com
pretending fash
The greatest I've ever had" he an
swered, smiling
Copyright, 1907 BY NJ NJ Cunningham