Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-17
CHAPTER XXI.
An lnterlude,

CHAPTER XXI.
 An lnterIude.
 My nerves began to feel as If some one were gently sliding his fin. ger along their barred length-not a pain, but as fear-inspiring as the sound of the stealthy creep of the assassin moving up behind to strike a sudden and mortal blow. l dis missed business and politics and went cruising on the lakes with rest full, non-political Fred Sandys.
 After we had been knocking about perhaps week, We landed one noon at the private pier of the Liscombes to lunch with them. As Sandys and strolled toward the front of the house. several people. also guests for lunch, were just descending from long blackboard. At sight of one of them stopped short inside, though I mechanically continued to walk toward her. I recognized her instantly-the curve of her shoulders, the boise of her head, and her waving jet-black hair to confirm. And with out the slightest warning there came tumbling and roaring up to me tor rent of longings, regrets; and sud. denly had clear understanding of my absorption in this wretched game l had been playing year in and year out, with hardly glance from the table. That wretched game with its counterfeit stakes; and the more a man wins. the poorer he is.
 She seemed calm enough as she faced me. Indeed, was not sure when she had first caught sight of me, or whether she had recognized me, until Mrs Liscombe began to in. troduce us. "Oh, yes," she then in- terrupted, T remember Senator Say Ter very we'll. We used to live in the same town. We went to the same school" And with a friendly smile she gave me her hand.
 What did I say? I do not know. But I am sure gave no sign of the clamor within. INhad not cultivated surface-calm all those years in vain. talked. and she talked-but I saw only her face, splendid fulfillment of the promise of girlhood; 1 hardly heard her words, so greatly was her voice moving me. It was an unusual. ly deep voice for a woman, sweet and with a curious carrying quality that made it seem stronger than it was. In figure she was delicate, and radiant of life and health-aglow. not ablaze. She was neither tall nor short, and was dressed simply, but in the fash ion-I heard the other women dis. cussing her clothes after she left. And she still had the mannerism that was most fascinating to me-she kept her eyes down while she was talk. ing or listening, and raised them now and then with a full, slow look at you.
 When Mrs. Liscombe asked her to come to dinner the next evening with the people she was visiting, she said Unfortunately, must start for Washington in the morning. I am overhauling my school and building an addition"
 It had rot occurred to me to think where she had come from or how she happened to be there, or of any thing in the years since I was last with her. The reminder that she had a school came as a shock-she was so utterly unlike my notion of the head of a school. I think she saw or felt what was in my mind. for she went on, to me: I've had 1t six years now-the next will be the sev enth."
 Do you like it?" I asked.
 Don't look like a happy voman?"
 You do." said I, after our eyes had met You are"
 There were SO girls last year s3." she went on. Next year there will be more-about a hundred. It's like a garden, and I'm the gardener busy from morning till night, with no time to think of anything but my plants and flowers
 She had conjured a picture that made my heart ache. I suddenly fell old and sad and lonely-a forlorn failure. I. too. am a gardener" said L ~But it's a sorry lot of weeds and missiles that keeps me occupied And in the midst of the garden is a plum tree that bears Dead Sea fruit"
 She was silent
 You don't care for politics!'' said |
 No she replied. and lifted and lozered her eyes in a slow glance that made me wish I had not asked. It is. I think. gardening with weeds and thistles. as you say Then, after . psHse: Do you like ftg-
 Don't ask me- I said ytth . bst-