Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-26


 of no importance Yes, you were say ing you'd go on Tuesday. Pris. We'll. all right, all right"
 Left alone, the weazened little fig ure in the wicker chair sat up and slapped its right leg smartly thrice.
 "Tll do it." said Stephen, excited. ly. I'll do it! She'll never know. I'll come back Tuesday night"
 He was silent for minute, then added, explosively:
 T am dod-gasted sick of the town!"
 Early Tuesday morning he went to the station with her and saw her of on the St. Andrews flyer His own train did not leave until later. It landed him at Roseneath station in the mid-forenoon.
 Roseneath proper was three miles from the station, and Stephehn start ed to walk it, over the long, moist road that wound and twisted up to the wooded hills, through the young green saplings.
 He stood with his arms on the yard gate, feasting his eyes on the gray buildings and gardens. There was a lonely, deserted look about the place that hurt him, but it was home. He would spend the whole afternoon here. He would go over the farm in it's length and breadth and visit every field and nook
 He was down on his knees by the day-lily plot when he heard the east ern gate swing back with it's old pc culiar creak. Stephen hastily got upon his feet. A woman was coming through it. "I'll be dod-gasted if it 'taint Priscilla" he said, helplessly.
 Priscilla it was. She did not see Stephen until she came round the last cherry tree on the path.
 Father" she exclaimed.
 They stood and looked at each, othef in silence for few moments Steph. ems brain worked in a succession of jerks. He had begun to understand things before Priscilla had recovered herself.
 Priscilla, Priscilla" he said, sol emnly, but with twinkle in his mild eyes. Where are the mothers?"
 Priscilla had to laugh.
 They're at St. Andrews, no doubt father. You know I didn't tell you l was going there. just said the coun. Gil met there and 1 was appointed one of the delegates. I never meant to go. meant to come here, but couldn't bear to admit to you that ] was so crazy for Roseneath that I had to start off ia mud and mire for it And after all our talk last fall, too! How did you find out I came here?H
 T didn't know you did come," he an swered. T thought you was safe in St. Andrews. came on my own ac count, because I was so homesick l couldn't stand it day longer, and be cause l was lit'rally dying to get out of sight and sound of that town, il only for a day"
 Why, father" said Priscilla, in astonishment, you don't mean to say that you are not contented in town! Why. you seemed so interested ir everything-I thought you were just as happy as you expected to be!'
 "All put on, Pris-all put on," said Stephen. I've hated it-name O goodness, what relief it is to say il at last! But I wouldn't let on foI the world for fear you'd laugh at me and say you told me so, for all my brag. I didn't think you were hanker ing for Roseneath You seemed Sc taken up with everything in town and as busy and happy as if you were just in the place that fitted you"
 "Oh, just pretended, to hide the truth from you" cried Priscilla. T. I-couldn't bear to admit how disap pointed I was after being so sure oi myself. I wanted to be back here Why. father. missed the loneliness of it! I just wanted to feel lonely again, with all my heart. And the worst of it was, it came between us l was determined you should not sus pCII "udl I lClI QOn care now, when you're feeling the same way. So I came out today. l brought lunch with me, and I mean, to stay all night at the Hendersons I've been all over the farm already. wish we'd never left tive were old fools to run after new things at ouI time of life. Good as they are. it. too late"
 We can come back, Pris," said Stephen. eagerly.
 "oh, if we only could!" cried Pris ella. But the children"
 Never mind the childrenI See here, Pris. It's not going to do them any eood for us to be miserable. Theyr be willing enough to let us come when they find out how We feel. And we'll come. whether or no. We're our own bosses yet, I guess. Pris We'll move out as soon as come good roads. Won't them Shackleford. cackle with delight over my back down! But I don't care a mite since you're in it, too. can just snap my fingers at the whole world"
 He laughed squeakily with joy. Pris cilla smiled and drew long breath.