The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-18

It was some few minutes before she
felt enough restored to normal condi-
tions to arise and go. She had found,
in that place, a shelter, a sense of
refuge, such as was new in her exper-
fence. She knew well that she must
come there again.
Her eyes full of dreams as at last
she pushed aside the curtain and went
out into the rose-colored evening. Just
beyond the gate, beneath the cruciflx.
stood Miss Morrison.
She came forward with a welcom-
ing smile which was somehow grav-
ity, in spite of its sweetness. ST had
to wait and think you for sending the
doctor so quickly"
Vernon colored with pleasure. "I
suppose Mr.. Conroy told you what
did? / met him. and he would not
let me go on--he had his bicycle and
he went faster than I could go, es-
pecially as I did not know the way"
Eyes. thank you; you did quite
right; it was fortunate that you met
him." and after a slight hesitation,
she added, Mrs. Fletcher tells me
that you are anxious to befriend her
daughter"
To the sensitive ear of Vernon there
was a tinge of reproof in the words;
and. seeking for a reason, she saw
suddenly that she had rushed into the
complicated affair of Olive Fletcher
without any sanction nor any knowl-
edge-headlong, as was her manner.
She grew uncomfortably hot. "I-I
felt so terribly sorry. Is there any
reason why 7 should not?-I mean,
do hope that you have no objection?"
she said bunglingly
Again Miss Morrison smiled.
please don't think I should presume
to dictate. But as I visit these cot
tages regularly, and am put by the
Vicar in charge of the people,
thought I would like to make the ac-
er."
"Of course" said Vernon, confused
and guilty. "I-you know I just did
it on impulse. I have only been a
short time in England. and things are
different here. Folks are better look
ed after, there is more method. 1t
was the first time in all my life had
come near a thing OF this kind, and
1t seemed SO awe-inspiring-so ire
mendous" She broke off, with tears
near the surface.
TT IL tremendous. You are right"
said Evelyn Morrison gravely. st be-
lieve I know very much how you felt.
Is it possible that you would care to
take more than passing interest in
us? We have SO few in this part of
the country who will do anything"
II feel as if must help with those
twins" gulped Vernon.
Yes, because 1T is tragic and pic
turesque," said Miss Morrison gently.
Something i'm that case grips you at
the heartstrings. But If asked you
to go and see an ugly, dirty old wom-
an who has to work to keep a bed
ridden husband, and is attacked with
ulcers herself. on both legs? Ah"-
with a swift smile--"I am asking you
to become like Francis of Assist all
at once, am I not? And it is very
| ungrateful of me. Please don't mis-
| understand. I shall be most thank
full for help in clothing the twins, but
/ have to make a small petition to
you, out OF the depths of a long ex-
perience. Don't go and buy them
sumptuous and beautiful clothes, and
make a heroine and martyr out of
| their faulty young mother. 1t is bad
{ for the village
But many of them do things that
are just as wrong, even more wrong
| than she has done, without being
| found OUT" cried Vernon Indignantly.
Yes. very likely. But how many
sins will you find that do as much
harm to others as this one? Olive has
| beeen her mothers darling all her
| life She might have married a good