The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-08-11


years" She unfolded letter and
read: "'Abram Hewitt is doing
splendidly. He Is the only money.
lender in town. and 10 one OF the rich
men now. He is building n beautiful
home and is very helpful 10 your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. Ee m
quires every day when you She
broke OF abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. II
wouldn't do as a money-lender," hs
replied; too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had TO borrow.
myself"
Constraint fell with that, and Gid
con went 10 the smoking compart.
| ment and sat himself down, gloomily,
in corner.
"Of course" he chided: Il might
F, have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married" With that he watch
ed vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life In the
past rs hours fade as the light OF
evening faded on the distant noun.
tains.
Tho rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him
, self around like wet blanket fire.
quenuy; after that Gideon tried TO
avoid him. and SO did the school
ma'am girl. But he was evidently
! character not accustomed 10 being
ignored. II was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself TO be the hus-
band OF little Miss Serena and that.
furthermore. Serena's parents were
eager TO ratify the nomination.
Once, when they were looking over
| some OF the girls snapshots they
came TO man posing under tree.
"A man with his hat tilted knowingly
| back, unaware that he showed fore.
1 head from which the hair was roced-
| ing. He had an upcurled. oily-looking
black mustache. and wore a satisfied
smirk.
Who's that?" demanded Gideon.
That's Mr.. Hewitt" returned Ser.
emo.
Why, he's oldl" cried Gideon. with
fierce triumph. And then he leaned
forward to look into her eyes. Bun.
! don't marry himl He"
Mr.. Rushi"
For the first time Gideon felt tho
weight OF the icy school teacher tone.
The humbled Gideon sought refuge
In the smoking compartment, where
he STAYED until bedtime
Next morning he recalled with n
start that they were but Ia hours
! from Gilesburg. He sought Serena.
The schoolma am girl was encased
In the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and as impersonal az
the multiplication table. For once.
Mr.. lowitt did not get into the con.
versation.
Even at dinner, dining car extrav.
agance on which Gideon insisted be-
cause II was 20 be their last meal to-
gether. the girls armor remained In
place.
The hours passed inexorably. Al
most before he could believe IT, the
whistle screamed, the brakeman
cried "Gilesburgl" and Gideon was
standing In tho aisle. saying goodbye
20 Miss Blythe.
So with a heart sore and rebellious
he descended into the soft darkness
Of the little town. suitcase In hand.
Mechanically he fumbled In his pock-
cts for his trunk check
The engine was taking water Cid
con walked forward. for one more
look at the schoolma'am girl. Her
seat was toward tho middle OF the
car on the other eide. The platform
was high. and by standing on uptoe
he could just see her
Her head was turned away; chin
on hand. she was looking out into the
darkness. There was droop To her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him "A cheerful goodbye
few moments before. Stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her bandker-
chief.
Just then the train started; no did
Gideon. He rushed up the steps OF
the car, treading on the toes OF the
conductor. and nearly knocking over
the porter. dropped his suitcase in
the yestibule. and marched up the
aisle
Bun" he said. quietly, and sat
down beside her.
She turned. with a sudden catch.
ing OF breath. There was 10y in
her dewy eyes. Unconsciously she
stretched out her hand and Gideon
took IL In bis own.
OH" she sighed, with a tremulous
smile. "it seemed 80 lonesome But
the train-we're leaving Gilesburg.
Where are you going?"
with you" he replied. simply.
but" she struggled 10 release
her hand. You can't" Her eyes
fell on the trunk-check between bis
argara HVour fruuk's hack fhara-