Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1909-08-27
AUNT ALINE'S TRYST.
The Coming Of the Man She So
AnxiousIy Awaited.
BY JOHN RoxsuRY.

aunrs coy home on her way to the
city.
lis 1t so unusual for me to look nice
Dolliey"
Miss Sherwin turned from the glass
before which she had been giving q
final touch to the soft brown hair that /
waved around her white forehead and
smiled quizzically at her niece.
NO" returned the little matron with 1
cordial sincerity; you always look
lovely TO Dan and Nell and me. but
ynu never would buy yourself pretty /
clothes while we were with you. ana
rs Won were always doing something
for us you seldom took time to look
at Yourself. That new golden SILK
is wonderfully becoming. and that
mechlin at your throat. with the
duaint brooch Of coral and silver. Is
most artistic. And you have such a
pretty pink color In your cheeks. one
would think you were young girl 60
ing out to meet your lover"
The color of which Dollie JORDAN
smoke deepened to rose. Miss Sherwin
laughed an odd, embarrassed little
laugh.
You mustn't come catering me"
she said "And-l don't wish to hurry
YOU. but you'll miss your train TO town
If you stay much longer"
Mercy me! So will!' And with
hasty glance at the clock and hurried
kiss she rustled away at rapid rate.
Miss Sherwin turned again to the
mirror when she was alone. Dollie
was right She did not look her twen-
ty-nine years. Indeed. the face that
smiled back at her was very sweet In
its bright serenity. The lips that part
ed over cleaning white teeth were
full and rosy. And the large gray eyes,
looking forth from under dark broWs
and lashes, had beaming brilliance.
Maurice won't see much change In
me-" she said as she put on her hat.
She slipped on wrap and took up her
gloves. But suddenly she stood still.
shaken by the cruel dread. Suppose
he were not there! 1t was long Jour
ney here from Australia. Accidents
innumerable were occurring every
week. What If he were the victim of
one? What If he were Ill and could
not make the trip?
The one greatest dread of all she did
not voice even to her inmost conscious
ness.
How foolish you are, Aline Sher-
win!" she said. with an impatient little
toss of her head. His last letter said
he would meet you at the old trysting
place on this day, the anniversary Of
our engagement there. Maurice would
never break his word"
She walked at brisk rate the many
blocks which lay between her home
and the park. The charming suburban
pleasure ground was gorgeous In its
and living gold. There was a con-
tinual drifting Of glowing leaves
through the blue, haZy air. And every
where children were making merry,
running and laughing and playing
games.
Out Wutu tillCC Dutl w III lVuSuCu thC
great stone fountain where the leap
ing water no longer glittered her heart
sank with sudden, sharp disappoint.
ment. There was no one there but q
gray haired. specialized man, who
glanced mp at her approach only to
bend instantly again over the paper
he was reading. She took out her
watch and consulted 1t.
My watch Is fast! | am ten min
utes too soon! How foolish of me to
to fear" she said.
She walked up and down the gray.
eled path near the fountain. To sit
still was impossible. She watched the
different avenues up which he might
come. 1t was ten years since they
had parted. Five minutes gone! Al
3 he would be there, he had written
seven minutes!
And be need never have gone away
If it had not been for Mary's unex
pected death she might have gone witt
him. But Aline had declared herself
bound to take care Of her sisters chill
dren.
Six months ago freedom had come t.
her, Dan was man and prospecting
Dollie was married, and Nell had gon,
to live with her. So Aline Sherwi1
wrote to her lover that she was watt
ing for him.
The clock in the tower changed ou
the hour Of 3.
She started. and her reticule fell Il
the ground. Three, and he was no
here! Each clang of the bell had
struck on her heart like blow.
you have dropped your bagw Th'
man on the bench picked 1t up and of
fered 1t to her. lifting his hat. "pn
afraid you are disappointed" he sail
pleasantly. You were expecting som
OneT'
She hardly glanced at him. But sh
was in the mood for confidence, an,
his voice was sympathetic.
Yes" she said and sat down. 81
friend who has been long abroad wa
to have met me here this day, thi
hour. and he has not come"
1--we been great traveller myself,
the man said. "Where did your frien
live abroadT'
''ln Australia" Her eyes were sti
seeking an advancing figure along til
paths that led to this fountain.
1--WE been there. But Of course it.
mighty extensive country, and th
cities are populous."
81 suppose So" she assented al
stractedly. Her heart was like lea
within her. 1T would be absurd I
suppose you had known Maurice Fa
rar there"
Let me see," he repeated musingl.
"Yes. | did know man Of that nam,
What did your friend look like?
He was straight and handsome.