Middletown transcript., 1907-08-31

was b 9E84tk4A III AA1O& uAsASf Z
did not enjoy her morning galiop
with the same zest that she usual
IL did. Something was troub-
ling her. She walked her pretty
brown mare all the way home
from the park and dismounting
ran quickly to her room. Sne
dressed in a hurry without glanc.
ing into the mirror, but before
she went downstairs she dellber-
ately took up o hand-glass ana
scrutinized herself anxiousiy
After q minute she laid down
the glass with q sigh. She had
seen enough. She was thirty i've
and the mirror plainly said so.
For q little while she stood
musing. her serene brow pucker-
ed into a labyrinth Of wrinkles,
and then shewent down to break
fast.
A young man threw down 2
newspaper and rose eagerly ..
her entrance. He came forward
with q look OF reyerent welcome
in his well-opened blue eyes, ana
held ont his right hand-his lett
swathed in bandages, hung IN .
black silk sling.
Good morning! he said; ] score
for the first time-you're actual
~ late /!
1 know, she answered apollo
getically; I hope you aren =
quite starvingP Where's the
doctore she asked.
Glued to his microscope, ne
replied with q laugh-at least,
he was when came down. Ben
nett has warned him twice.
In thas case it's no good worry
ing him, she remarked resigned !
"; I'd better send his breakfast
out.
Kynaston Merrick rose and
rang the bell, gazing at her
thoughtfully as he did so.
Do'yoa' know, be said as he sal
down again. you look awfuify
like my mother IN that blue gown.
He made the remark with m
conscious simplicity; in his own
mind he thought 1t was the great.
est and most glorious compii
ment he could pay to any woman
He did not see that this woman
WINGED, and that the color rush
ed hotly to her cheeks.
Do l.? she answered lightly
and reached for the toast plate
but her heart sank with astrange
dull jerk as she spoke-a habit i
had acquired of late.
A gunshot wound, presenting
unusual features, had brought
Lieutenant Kynaston MerricA
home from the Philippines, ane
had eventually landed him as :
patient at the homeof the clever
good-natured city specialist.
DR.. Brereton had brought tht
young soldier in hanson on'
night, and had handed him oyel
to his sister, whose skill he pre-
ferred for pet cases to that Of I
professional nurse.
At first there had seemed M
chance for the arm; and then al
the result Of perpetual watching
q daring operation was essayed
and there followed recovery ant
rejoicing.
How abominably fiat | shal
feel tomorrow! he went on rue
fully, as heattacked an egg will
q healthy, youthful appetite; ant
for lots OF to-morrows, I'm afraid
Youand the doctor have spoil
me for duty-visits! Miss Brere
ton. I shall be quite glad to b,
back at work again.
Margaret Brereton bent to picl
up crumb from the carpet.
Ten years ago / should fhav,
let it lie, she thought vexedly
Anxiety about crumbs is an III
fallible sign Of age. We shal
miss gou too, she said aloud, bu
her tone didn't imply (asit NIGH
have done) what the blank woul,
really be.
The boy noticed 1t and sighed
I'm afraid I've been an awfu
nuisance, he said wistfully.
Miss Brereton smiled. On th
contrary, you've been o yer,
great pleasure, she answere,
lightly; more than that, you'v
been Q triumph. You've prove,
enc Of Richards pet theories
and decorated his cap with ye
another feather.
And to you :
To me ,you We been ~ most in
spiriting companion, and we
as you implied just now--quit
Ia son.
He saw by her tone that some