Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-08
By BOOTH HARRINGTON,
,thor of Cherry" "r1on.ieur Beaucaire." E
copYR1eHr. 1sos BY HARPER 1. BROTHERS

| blue Of 1t some laughing, invisible god was blowing small rounded clouds of pure cotton, as children blow thistle down.
 When he opened her parasol as they came out into the broad sunshine be- yond upper Main street there was the faintest mingling of wild roses and cin- namon loosed on the air.
 Joe she said, I'm very happyw
 That's right" he returned heartily. Il think you always will be-"
 But, oh, wish," she went on, that Mir. Arp could have lived to see you come down the courthouse steps!'
 God bless himr' said Joe. "I can hear the argument
 Those dear old men have been so loyal to you. Joe"
 "No," he returned; loyal to Eskew."
 'To you both." she said. I'm afraid the old circle is broken up. They haven't met on the National House cor ner since he died. The colonel told me be couldn't bear to go there again"
 
 T don't believe any of them ever will,' he returned. And yet I never pass the place that I don't see Eskew In his old chair. I went there last night to commune with him. I couldn't sleep, and I got up and went over there, They'd left the chairs out, the town was asleep, and 1t was beautiful moonlight
 ITO commune with him? What about:"
 You"
 "Why:' she asked. plainly mystified.
 T stood in need of good counsel" he answered cheerfully, "or friendly word. perhaps. and as I sat there after awhile it came.'
 "What was itT'
 ''To forget that I was sodden with selfshness, to pretend not to be as full of meanness as I really was. Doesn't that seem to be Eskew's own voice?'
 Weren't you happy last night, Joe?"
 "Oh, it was all right" he said quick ly. Don't you worry"
 And at this old speech of his she broke into a little laugh, of which he had no comprehension.
 "Mamie came to see me early this morning, "- she said after they had walked on in silence for time. "Ev- erything is all right with her again. that is, think it will be. Eugene is coming home. And" she added thought fully, it will be best for him to have his old place on the Tocsin again. She showed me his letter, and liked it. think he's been through the fire"-
 Joe's distorted smile appeared. And has come out gold?" he asked.
 No" she laughed, but nearer it. And think he'll try to be more worth her caring for. She has always thought that his leaving the Tocsin in the way he did was heroic. That was her word for it. And it was the finest thing he ever did"
 T can't figure Eugene out" Joe shook his head. There's something behind his going away that I don't This was altogether the truth. nor was there ever to come a time when either he or Mamie would understand what things had deter mined the departure of Eugene Ban. try, though Mamie never questioned, as Joe did. the reasons for it or doubt ed those Eugene had given her, which were the same he had given her father, for she was content with his return.
 Again the bells across the square rang out their chime. The paths were decorously enlivened with family and groups bound church. ward. and the rumble of the organ. pl:ying the people into their pews, shook on the air. And Joe knew that he must speak quickly if he was to say what he had planned to say before he and Ariel went into the church.
 "Ariel.' He tried to compel his ! voice to casual cheerfuIness. but it would do nothing for him except be- i tray desperate embarrassment.
 She looked at him quickly and as quickly away. "Yes:'
 T wanted to say something to you. and I'd better do if now. thirk-be- | fore go to church for the first time ia l two years" He managed to laugh. 1 though with snrT,a ruefulness. and con-