Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-04-23

he asked.
 'I? Oh, no-I mean. yes." she smiled coldly.
 He looked uncomfortable.
 Tt is rather lonely here. May not wait with you until your friend comes?"
 "Oh-certainly, If you like"
 Then a sudden pain in her ankle brought the hot tears to her eyes.
 T was just waiting for hay-wagou -or something"
 MT. Hart smiled little. unexpected. ly. He looked quite nice when he smiled. He had lovely eyes.
 T know farmer who lives only Q little ways from here, across the lots. who has team-if you will wait for me"
 Penelope realized that he had been friend in need, and graciously ac. cepted.
 Somehow she did not seem society woman to him as he sat beside her. She was just a lovable girl in quaint gown, 8 girl whom one could love, girl of whom one could never tire
 Penelope forgot to pose. She was ashamed to be otherwise than herself with this man. They talked of many things, of worlds present and to come, of life, death, eternity, of people and manners, and customs, and love-a little, only very little. Penelope grew strangely shy. She went in directly when they reached the hotel, very quiet and subdued.
 The end was drawing near for Pen. elope Warren. the idler. The days went swiftly now. only four more. three more, two, one. So the last one came, dull and heavy and gray. She had made her peace with Archi bald Knight the night before. He had apologized, and she had confessed to her poverty and five weeks pretense He refused absolutely to believe her for 8 time. Then he exhausted him. self in exclamations over her clever ness-and proposed all over again. It was trifle difficult making him see that she really preferred teaching school in two-by-four country school house to living in luxury, as Mrs. Archibald Knight. It hurt his pride and self-esteem, but Penelope, at last, soothed him into half resigned frame of mind He was such a boy. Penelope almost loved him as she bade him good-by Indeed, she did pull his big blond head down and kiss him gently, once. She was sorry she had hurt him and she had not played fair
 Penelope was feeling decidedly ashamed of herself and decidedly out of sorts. She shut her eyes and, leaning against the rock, listened sleepily to the croon of the waves.
 Then she opened her eyes suddenly and looked up at the minister. She had not heard him, he came so quiet ly. Yet she had known that he was there That was strange thing!
 q must go back" she said, nerv- ously. Was Aunt Lawrence looking | for me? It takes so long to dress for dinner. almost have to begin the day before"
 He smiled little and helped her up the steep rocks.
 Not that mind it. I do love | pretty things, pretty dresses, and | faces, and slippers, and hats. Good. ness, to be poor! It must be awful!"
 She faced him suddenly, defiant and honest.
 Tt is awful" she said. q am as poor as church mouse. This is only a silly masquerade. aunt and l being here this way" !
 She braced herself for his aston. ishment. He did not answer for a moment.
 T am glad you tell me yourself, but I knew about it before. You see your aunt told me few days ago. |
 Penelope gasped
 "Oh,' she said, 'I-I-what a goose you must think mel"
 Does it make any difference to you what think? To you who are going to be Mrs. Archibald Knight, and have all these things that you love?'
 His tone was a trifle bitter a triie forced.
 'Oh. but I am not" contradicted Penelope, cheerfully. q am going back to teach"
 They were climbing down the mar row, rocky path to the pine grove now. He stopped suddenly without releas- ing her hand.
 You hate to be poor, Penelope?"
 Penelope nodded.
 You love pretty things, dresses, laces, hats" He stopped. "Pene- lope. look at me-
 But Penelope could not
 Pen. can give you none of these. All that have is bare living, and my love for you, Pen-Pen-you | could not be happy poor. I know it. and yet" his voice shook and he 
 Penelope put her hand to her ach. ing throat In flash she knew what 1 this man meant to her. knew how empty everything would seem with out him. She would pretend no more
 One can never tell what one can | do until one tries, you know" she whispered low.