The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-06

70 ner knees 10 StuQy theu- We have just few Dick will buy them. though he knows we can't afford them. Shelly, Swinburne. Keats. Keats Keatsi Why, you have copies of all the editions that were printedi" She straightened herself and still kneeing, stared Miss Fletcher who had moved away across the room and was absentiy picking the dead leaves from towering plant
 T thought we had about all there were," she con tinued in moment "but you have so many more What exquisite covert" she exclaimed taking a voiunse from the shelf and opening it carefully
 Let me show you this carving" Miss F1etcher's voice broke in abrubtly-it was almost harsh, and she advanced brusqueiy-"Such beautiful carving: friend brought me the other day from Japan; you must see 1t"
 Bit Mrs. Witherby seemed unaware of any inter- ruption Turning the leaves of the volume she held she whispered:
 They all n1arked-the ones he is always -aving over and wanting to read aloud" As if rn- consciously, she turned the front of the voiurne but suddenly she closed it resouteiy and rising ad- vsnced upon Miss Fletcher, wfo had stood waitinx and watching her nervously. "I didn't look to see who gave it to you" she said q don't need to- know now. You the other woman. ai~ays knew there one"
 There always is one." said Miss Fletcher. facing her gravely.
 "Yes," Mrs. Witherby conceded, ''bss for you. he never would have all those whius those tastes- II you like that better None of the resthis brothers and ssters-have them This Is full of his fads, she went on, sweeping it with unfrieudIv eyes Why, just now, when you took away those lilies, with such look of distrust it came over me m Hash. He can't endure their perfume either The sweetest thingsi wanted them for my wedding bouquet but then had to give them m | didn't know why. But know nowi" she added. oitteriy-"it was because you didn't like thernf'
 Just possible didn't because-he didn't" sug- gested Miss Fletcher
 Nol No! Men don't have those fancies He's queer because you made him so And have to b. queer-as far I can-beczuse you ver. .o Jt,s insultingP And dropping upon couch Mrs Wither- by turned her head away and let her eyes gaze into vacancy.
 saw him week or two ago." the other woman began from her seat the room eNo I rnezn sasv him she repeated, as Mrs. Witherby started and looked Please understand that had no s,fso eion he was living here when happened on this place He was walking that day I saw him. and passed him Tn cab He did not look very queer,' yor call it
 wondered if it could be he dcn't believe hurt him very much. He has grown stout; and he looked com, fortabie and-pardon since speaking so verx frankly-a little bored"
 He Is comfortable" asserted the wife; ~I hone make him SO And if he is bored soretimes why 60 are all after they've been married and se.tled h.,f dozen years-if they are happy"
 "He-says sof"
 -He doesns need to say so" answered Mrs witherby tne color rising m her checks T it for myself"
 Oh yes, of course" conceded Miss F1etcher and rising she began pace up down speaking in her low sweet voice if of the other vo,aus. presence. "It was such beautiful time In she s;ts "A dream filed with visions of spring-time win low delicious laughter and the joy of living The common things of life turned faces on s for the nrst time knew the mysterious happiness that Is tl green depths of the woods the aching sweetness of te hermit thrushs lonely note The moon shone for u, alone above the quiet meadows or lighted us as vr raced hand in hand the long sparkling sIooes f winter The poets sang for us, leaning down to our hearts Music made her te and treubled resoon sive in one breath. Every smallest atom in my whole body lived and exted in livng-and what felt he feIt had only to look in his eyes be sure of itr Her voice had risen with the rising tide of memory and h stood now exalted, smiling
 half-stifed cry called her back ~If it was an 60 beautifEi" the other woman sobbed why dient you go on?"
 Do dreams go onf' The exquisite voice had lost 1t. exuitant note and very gentle now "They seen, o last thousand years while dreaming then: s their memory is often part of our lves but when ~ wake they gone like bubble that bursts IL vas dream mirage of youth. There is nothing to waste any tears on, believe He had to 20 to work h,a his way to make had yos to marry by and by. had my vocation calling me; then my foot was n m the ladder. could stay any longer for dre,rts since dreams do last" As she spoke she .t room. and dropping her knees bent her smooth dsrs head above the fair dsheveed that was sti buried m the pillows Don't you see that it was all dream 9~ she vvb;.s gently. "a dream-nothins more Add don't you see tfat 1t am the other woman, he was another u,anp The man you married you have always had; he was revrrsl mine And she added. rising to her feet @n,;n. was yours"
 "Yes. perhaps SO" and Mrs Witherbv ,;.;,a .,.o ignored the traces of he- tears and smiled r,t,-r crooked little smile But all the same have to live ~itn your heafh and your Bottices and-and 20 with out my lilies. she ended whimscally
 And ?" asked the other bold;ng o,,t h t..s -7. there nothing must go without7 It is the como. lot ou uf11ef h. p.h.-