The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-04
A BURNT BARRIER,
The Lover Laid His Pride al His
Sweetheart's Feet.
BY MARIE moNrRosE.

BY MARIE MONTHO5E-
tcopyFightsd. 1903. BY Associated Literary
Press
Down the dust white country road
sped Doxy. paipitnting and panic
stricken. her eyes bent ON n volume Of
smoke that was rolling up from tho
sheep dotted pasture. She went cross
lots" and came 20 the charrcd remains
Of the old farmhouse. where knot %
ncighbora. helpless aud wondering.
Rnthcrcd round the phthcticaliy small
pile of rescued household effects.
DoXy was not n young woman, but
she was Of the type that time touched
gently. Tier eyes were soft and gray
and expressive OF past but unforEot.
ten time. Her optimistic fAtaiism was
not wanting in this hour Of trouble
81 don't sce how you managed 10
save so many tninEs.- snc said 20 ner
friends, each OF whom at this encour.
agement began TO point out what he
had snatched from the flames
'See, Miss Barton" cried n Ind, tri-
umphantly thrusting a tin can into her
hand. Il hearn you say aa how this
ere was yer bank. so grabbed II fust
thing"
"oh. jim. there Ii $50 In itF'
Her father. Seth Barton. now arriv.
ed upon the scene His heart VIVA full
Of memories which were smothered In
tho philosophical remark, Never could
have saved her In this windf-
You and DOxy II come right homo
with us and stay" cordially invited
the nearest ncighboT.
The others followed suit In tins prof
fer Of hospitality. rendering wiia open
doora
''You are 10 kind, but wv'n stny
right here" said Doxy In response 10
each Invitation. 'our upstairs is fltted
mp snug as a Preside. you know"
Her fathers stoicai face baigttened
lie had a catiike ciinging TO homo
not from hove Of every heart beat for
II, as In Doxy's case, hut because he
could not bear the thought of uproot.
ing and transplnntfng.
The neighbors carried the goods and
ehattels to the barn and helped Doxy
arrange a temporary home. While the
men were aiding In the evening work
their wives prepared supper. Any
event, Joyful or caiamitous, IN the dis.
trict was deemed an ''occnHion" wor-
thy Of a general repast. After supper
they departed for their homes Seth
settled down TO his evening pipe aud
weekly paper ~ IL nothing had hap
pened.
Then Doxy IN the soft shadows OF
the dusk stole out and went through
the garden to the blac6oned ruins Of
tottering walls and crumbled mortar.
An the voices Of long ago called to
her, most persistentiy the voice OF the
youth who ten years before had wooed
her.
There had been the lovers quarrel,
and Jed Knox in a moment Of hot
headed anger had sworn he would
never again cross the Barton thresh-
old.
Time and events showed him that
he was entirely in the wrong and that
the quarrel hnd been OF his own max.
ing, but he held stubbornly to his
oath. With quiet and firm dignity
Doxy had refused TO see him else
where than in her own home.
As Jed's stubbornness increased he
grew bitter and morose. avoiding ali
mention Of Doxy.
She started at sight OF a man com
ing from out the ruins, but in an In
stRnt she recognized Sol OppeB. thu
village carpenter, early In line for Q
eontract
SOL" said Doxy briskly, II want
you to build me house as near like
this as yOu can"
WAL Miss Barton. tell me how
much you can put into house"
There's the $50 Jim saved, the bani
account. little insurance. some tha
Hobbs owes usV-