The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-06-29


But am sure | gave no sign OF the
clamor within. had not cultivated
surface-calm all those years In vain.
talked, and she talked-but l saw
only her face. splendid fulflllment OF
the promise OF girlhood | hardly
heard her words. so greatly was her
voice moving me. II was an unusual
ly deep voice for a woman, sweet and
with a curious carrying quality that
made II seem stronger than II 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 IT, fash.
ion-l heard the other women dis.
cussing her clothes after she left.
And she stu 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 q full. slow look at
you.
When Mrs Liscombe asked her 70
come TO dinner the next evening with
the people she was visiting. she said:
Unfortunately. must start for
Washington In the morning. am
oyerhauling my school and building
an addition"
II had not occurred 10 me 10 think
where she had come from or how
she happened 10 be there. or OF any
thing In the years since I was last
with her. The reminder that she had
n school came as n shock-she was
so utterly unlike my notion Of the
head OF a school. ! think she saw
or felt what was In my mind. for she
went on. TO me: i've had II sir
years now-the NEXT will be the sew.
enth."
DO you like it7' asked.
Don't ! look like Happy womani"
you do" said I. after our eyes had
met you are"
There were so girls last year
&C." she went on. "Nert year there
will be morc-about a hundred It's
like q garden. and I'm the gardener.
busy from morning I'll night. with
no time TO think Of anything but my
plants and flowers"
She had conjured picture that
made my heart ache. suddenly felt
old and sad and lonely-a forlorn
failure. Il. too. am a gardener" said
l. But It's sorry lot Of weeds and
thistles that keeps me occupied. And
In the midst OF the garden IL a plum
tree that bears Dead Sea fruit"
She was silent
you don't care for politiesf"
said I.
mo" she replied. and lifted and
lowered her eyes In a slow glance
that made me wish had not asked.
1T IL. I think. gardening with weeds
and thistles. as you say" Then. after
a pause: DO you like ~"
Don't ask me-" said with a bit.
terness that made us both silent
thereafter.
That evening ! got Fred TO land me
must have been on had Just gone In
the morning I took the express for
the east. Arrived at Washington.
drove straight 20 her school.
A high iron fence. not obstructlng
the view from the country road: a
long drive under arehing naples and
beeohes: n rambling. fascinating old
house upon the crest Of a hill. many
windows. q pillAred porch. low.
very wide doorway. II seemed like
her in it, dark. cool. odorous beauty.
She herself was In the front hall.
directing some workmen. Why. Sen.
a,or sayier. this IL surprise" she
said. advancing 20 greet me. But
there was no suggestion OF sur.
prise In her tone or her look. only a
friendly welcome 10 an acquaintance.
She led the way into the drawing.
room 20 the left The furniture and
pictures we're In ghostly draperies:
everything was In confusion. We
went on 10 n side yeranda. seated
ourselves She looked inquiringly at
me.
Il do not know why" was my an.
twer 4 only know had 10 come"
She studied me calmly remem.
Der her look. everything about her
the embroidery on the sleeves and
bosom Of her blouse. the buckles on
her white shoes remember also
that there was q breeze. and how
good Il felt 20 my hot face. 20 my
eyes burning from lack OF sleep. AZ
last she said: "well-what do you
think Of my little Kingdom"
1t IL yours-entirely7
House. gardens-everything. Ipaid
the last Of my debts In June"
I'm contrasting II with my own
I said.
but that isn't fair" she protested
with a smile. You must remember,
I'm woman"
with my own" I went on. as II
she had not interrupted. Yours Ia
yours. honestly got Il makes you
proud. happy. Mine" I did not IN
ish.
She must have seen or felt how
profoundly I was moved. for pres
entity saw her looking at me with al
expression I might have resented 70
It's pity from any other than her
why do you tell mo thisr sh'