Connecticut western news., 1909-11-04
AUNT AL|NE'S TRYST. The Coming of the Man She So
 AnxiousIy Awaited.
B. JOHN ROXBURY.


 city.
 "Is it so unusual for me to look nice, Dollie?
 Miss Sherwin turned from the glass before which she had been giving a 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 cordial sincerity; "you always look lovely to Dan and Nell and me. But you never would buy yourself pretty clothes while we were with you, and as you 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 quaint brooch of coral and silver. is most artistic. And you have such a pretty pink color in your cheeks. One would think you were a young girl go- ing out to meet your lover"
 The color of which Dollie Jordan spoke deepened to rose. Miss Sherwin laughed an odd, embarrassed little laugh.
 "You mustn't come flattering me" she said. "And-I don't wish to hurry you, but you'll miss your train to town if you stay much longer"
 Mercy me! So I willy And with a nasty 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 cd over gleaming white teeth were full and rosy. And the large gray eyes, looking forth from under dark browS and lashes. had q beaming brilliance.
 Maurice w-,n't see much change in me-" she saiG as she put on her hat. She slipped on a wrap and took up her gloves. But suddenly she stood still. shaken by the cruel dread. Suppose - he were not there. It was long jour ney here from Australia. Accident:. innumerable were occurring ever! week What if he were the victim of one? What if he were i'll 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. "IIis last letter said he would meet you at the cid trystine ,o1o ho 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 it's autumnal robes of amber and crimson and living gold There was a con- tinual drifting of glowing leaves through the blue, hay air. And every where children were making merry, running and laughing and playing games.
 But when Alice Sherwin reached the 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 a gray haired, spectacled man, who glanced up at her approach only tc bend instantly again over the paper he was reading. She took out hel watch and consulted it.
 My watch is fast. I 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. It was ten years since they had parted. Five minutes gone! At he would be there, he had written seven minutes!
 And he need never have gone away If it had not been for Mary's uneX, pected death she might have gone with him. But Aline had declared herself l bound to take care of her sisters chil dren.
 Six months ago freedom had come tG her. Dan was a man and proSpering Dollie was married, and Nell had gone to live with her. So Aline Sherwin wrote to her lover that she was wait. ing for him.
 The clock in the tower clangAd out the hour of 3.
 She started, and her reticule fell to the ground. Three, and he was not here! Each clang of the bell had struck on her heart like blow.
 You have dropped your bag" The man on the bench picked it up and Of fered it to her, lifting his hat. 'I'n afraid you are disappointed" he said pleasantly. You were expecting some one?"
 She hardly glanced at him. But she was in the mood for confidence, and his voice was sympathetic.
 "Yes," she said and sat down. "A friend who has been long abroad was to have met me here this day, this hour and he has not come"
 "I've been a great traveller myself the man said. Where did your friend live abrOad?"