Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-05

him sharply.
 "Did he bite you, Mattie?" he cried. But she had already caught his hands md was looking at them with say age eagerness one would not have be- lieved to be in her.
 '"There is no mark" she said, sud- denly weak. ''He didn't touch youf"
 Answer me when 1 speak to youv' shouted Red, beside himself. Did he bite you?'
 She answered him, with a sob, ''No." And then his question asked itself, and answered itself, although, again. he did not know it. He gathered her raised from the dead and swore and prayed and thanked God all in xhe same breath.
 His old imperious nature came back with the relief. "Here"' said he, put ting her away for a moment. "Take off that dress-that slime on there's enough to kill hundred men-take it right off,
 Miss Hattie started blindly to obey, then stopped. Mot here, Will-I'll go in the house." she said.
 You'll take it off right here and now," said Red, "and I'll burn 1t up on the spot. I'd ruther have forty rat tlesnakes around than that stuff. Off with it! This is no child's play, and I don't care a d-n what the old lady next door thinks"
 Miss Hattie slipped off her outer skirt and stood a second, confused and dainty She took flight to the house, running as lithely as a greyhound.
 By jingo!' said Red in admiration Lets see you bring another woman that can run like that!' He gathered some hay and piled it on the dress, firing the heap.
 Then he turned to his antagonist. "Poor old boy. Hard luck, eh2 But had to do it," he said and gave him de- cent interment at the end of the gar den, washed his hands carefully and went into the house on pleasanter duties.
 1 II dSh utl AON, ny thC SiCut HUI II spoonv said he valiantly.
 Miss Hattie was in a curious state of mind. There was an after effect from the fright which made her trem- ble and a remembrance of Cousin Wills actions which made her tremble more yet. When she heard him com ing she started to fly, although now clothed beyond reproach, but her knees deserted her, and she was forced to sink back in her chair. Red came in whistling blithely, vainglorious man!
 He had his suspicious, generated by the peculiar fervor Miss Hattie had shown in regard to his hands.
 'Mattie," quoth he, "I'm tired of liv- ing out there in the barn. I want respectable house of my own.'
 "Yes. Will" replied Miss Mattie, as- tonished that he should choose such q subject at such time.
 "Yes." he continued, land I want q wife too. You often said you'd like to do something for me, Mattie. Sup pose you take the jobT'
 How much of glancIng at thing in ones mind as q beautiful improbabil- ity will ever make such cold fact less astonishing? Miss Hattie eyed him with eyes that saw not. Speech was stricken from her.
 Red caught fright. He spring for ward and took her hand. Couldn't you do 1t, Mattle?" said he. There was a world of pleading in the tone. Miss Mattie looked up. her own hon est self All the little feminine shrink ings left her immediately.
 "Ah. but could. Will" she said.
 Lettis came up on the stoop unheard. He stopped. then gingerly turned and made his way back on tlptoe. holding his arms like wings.
 Well, by GeOrgew he murmured. "I'n come back in little while, when I'll bc more welcome"
 He spoke to Red in strong reproach that night in the barn. You never told me word. you old sinner" said he.
 Tell you the honest truth, Let" re- p'itu heu tdiheSus' iuOhlHS up HUH drawing of boot, "I didn't know it myself till you told me about it."
 They talked it all over n long time before blowing out the light. but then the little window shut its bright eye. and tine only life the midnight stars saw in Fairfield was Miss Mattie, her elbOw on the easement. looking far, far out into the tranquil night and thinking mistily.
 THE END.