Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-04-16
FATE AND ONE
MRS. mcguire.
Between Them They Brought the
Parted Couple Together.
BY M. LOUISE cuMMINs


knitting a second time 10 meet the
same pair of brown eyes. Again a
sense Of familiarity in their gaze went
over her.
"And, sure, there'd be nothing
strange in that" she soliloquized, aft
er me being attendant In this waiting
room for the past fifteen years"
Nevertheless her mind went back
gropingly trying to place the girl sit
ting opposite. She gave a quick glance
and reached what she sought with
such suddenness that she fairly start
ed.
IT'S the very wan-the very wan"
she muttered. But, Lord love US all.
what has changed her so muchg'
Presently she rose, holding her knit
ting in her left hand, and made little
tour of the room, picking up a paper
here. Strengthening a chair there, ap-
parently intent only upon her business.
But she paused near the woman who
had attracted her attention.
Ills tiresome work waiting for
trains, ma'am," she hazarded
lit Is, indeedI''
At sight OF such woe in her eyes,
which she had once seen filed with
such blessedness of joy that, as she
said, they were like twin lights on an
altar" Mrs. Maguire's heart ached.
Though there's them that don't
mind it." she went on. Look there,
now" with sidelong nod to where in
the outer waiting room a young couple
were seated oblivious of time and
place.
They makes me think of a pair that
sat In that very spot--let me see, it
must be all of four years ago." she
continued reminiscently. "They had
missed their train and had to wait six
mortal hours for the western express.
Well, IL you'll believe me. don't think
they knew twas as many minutes"
Mrs. Mcguire saw the hands of the
woman come slowly together suddenly
in her lap.
Did you ever see them again?" she
asked slowly.
Not her"
The dark eyes came round in a fash.
And him?"
well, as sure as you live"-Mrs. Ma
guire had seated herself and was knit
ting compIacently-"'t only last
week. He come in and just sit in that
very spot took no notice TO him at
first, but he looked so broke up 1 had
to. 1t seemed all wrong to see him
sitting without her"
The woman at her side sprang up.
at is suffocating in herer' she pant
ed.
Then she sank back into the chair.
''You recognized me-" she said weari-
ly.
And If / did, a-lanive"-Mrs Ma
guire laid soothing palm on her knee.
the soft grooming of her mother tongue
coming back TO her-"I meant no harm
by what / said Sure. when I looked
across the room you made me think OF
a bit OF a primrose you'd see in a
boreen at home whiting because the
bush that sheltered it was tore away"
"And / thought"-her slender body
seemed TO contract with the agony of |
recollection-~God help mel What / |
thought was not the truth" I
God help US all when we begins to |
doubt the wan that's dearer TO us than |
our hearts blood It's well to be |
sure"-she went on slowly-"sure be- |
fore you spake the word that can't |
be onspoken."
If some one had said that TO me
them Her breathing seemed TO tear
the delicate throat But | would not
listen to him, and now-now 1t is too
ater'
TITS never that" Mrs. Mcguire said.
with conviction.
cit is. He said IL / left him it would
le final"
II Mrs Maguire's fingers few her
thoughts went at such bewildering
,ace that she started when her COM
Ianion rose. She took and patted be-
ween her own the hand held out to
Ter, looking beyond with unseeing
yes
She'll come back" she thought, with
he assurance of one who knew. And
e. mother of God, Isn't it the pity of
he world TO see them partedg And for
othing at all, most likely.''
1t was strange after that on days
vhen a slight figure In dark blue sat
D the ladies' waiting room how many
xcuses Mrs. Mcguire found for excur-
ions to different parts of the station.
nth what eagerness she sat out on
aese expeditions and with detection
Tritten in every line of her comely
ace when she returned
" It's watching for him she is her
Elf" she thought, meeting the wistful
of the dark eyes. And
ever did maiden look for the coming
her lover as did Mrs. Mcguire for
ne tail figure which had imprinted it.
II on her memory
1t was a matter of genuine impor-
Ince, however, which called her away !
ne day just as her visitor entered
~I'll be back In a minute lis the
Iperintendent himself wants me-" she
Zplained. smoothing down a snowy
iron in a little hustle of excitement
Half an hour later in returning she
lssed by the long line Of tracks 4 Y
'owd surrounding a woman whose j
lrk head was covered with a cotton 4
andkerehief attracted her attention. L
Id she drew near v
Whats the trouble, Mixer she 4
ked a uniformed fellow countryran | {
Thin dsgoes." Nike jerked thumb Z