The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-31
"Yes -Yes!''
1t Sounded Better After NeaAy
Losing II
By CL-ARISSA MACKlE.
Convri0ht nv American Press Asso-
BY CL.ARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

Elmwood after a year spent with an
uncle In a distant city, she found few
changes In the quiet village. The morn
ing after her arrival she lay contented-
ly in the slant rooted little room that
had been hers since childhood ana
listened to the familiar music OF ham,
mer and saw from the distant ship
yards.
Just then wood smoke reminded ner
that her mother was getting break
fast In the kitchen and with pricking
OF remorse at her slothfulness, Eliza-
beth arose and dressed
~ thought the waffies would arouse
girl entered the kitchen. flushed and
sparkling. Here Is the first batch
take them in and begin your break
fast. r.
Mother minew scolded Elizabeth,
leading the rosy checked, plump little
woman into the dining room. "Sit
right down and eat breakfast with
dad. shall cook wafiies for both OF
you. Not word?'
She smiled back at the two loving
faces as she passed to and fro from
kitchen to dining room ministering to
their wants.
I'VE can't expect to keep her with
us always" sighed her mother. This
last year without her has shown me
how dreary 1t will be for us when
somebody takes her away"
by somebody suppose you mean
Norman" doomed MIR. Gray's deep
voice. "I don't know as there's an
other man In Elmwood, to say nothing
of the outside world, that I'd rather
give my little Bess to than Norman
Ryder. Perhaps she has met some
body else In the city-you can't tell
and Norman's only country bred. Bess
probably met some fine dandihed
chaps in New York"
ard rather It would be Norman" in
sisted Mrs. Gray, with a little fright
ened flutter in her voice that went
straight to Elizabeth's heart. II
couldn't bear to have Bess marry any
body from the city. We might not see
her from one years end to the other"
Elizabeth FASTENED into the dining
room with a plate of waffles scorched
to a crisp and her fair face flushed
and agitated.
1--WE heard every word you said,"
she confessed between tears and laugh
ter. "Dears, I'm not going to marry
I haven't seen any one In
New York that could tempt me away
from you"
Mr. Gray squeezed the little hand
she had laid In his broad palm and
looked quizzically into her blue eyes.
How about anybody In Elmwood.
BessY' he asked.
81 don't want to marry anybody"
flashed Elizabeth tearfully. II want
to stay right here all my life"
That evening Norman Ryder drove
over to see Elizabeth Gray, and such
Is the contrariness of womankind.
that he who had always found favor In
her eyes, now appeared to be awkward
and provincial in manner and speech,
as compared to the snowy youths she
had met when visiting her uncle. AL
though he was bigger and broader
and handsomer than any of the city
bred youths, almost the first words he
uttered seemed to place him in differ
ent class.
$50 you knew I had returned. Nor
manw she asked, w1thdra wing her
hands from his close grasp
Eyes, yesw he had cried delightedly.
Affirmative uttered with slight twang
that drew thin veil Of discord be-
tween them. There was something
about the expression that smacked
strongly Of the rustic; that. with the
twang and the equally favored double
negative. mo. nor seemed to place
Norman Ryder among the farmers and
dairymen who formed the community
about Elmwood.
Elizabeth hated herself for shudder-
Ing every time Norman spoke with
wang. but she couldn't help 1t. She
was angry with him for speaking So
her father did not, nor did any Of their
neighbors. 1t was carelessness on
Norman's part, and 1t grated on her
81 thought perhaps you'd answer
my letters" he said rather ruefully,
as he drew his chair near the glowing
stove. but I expect you were pretty
busy studying your music. I'm going
to ask you to play some OF your clas-
steal pieces for me by and by"
"Of course I WILL" said Elizabeth. az
didn't write to anybody here except
father and mother. and they said
she paused with sudden confusion.
II guess they said I came over here
most every night while you were
one" he grinned happily. "They let
ne read your letters-and that was
ext best to getting 'em myself"
Il didn't promise you I'd write"
rotested Elizabeth. rather stifiy.
mo. mol" he uttered quickly, ex-
nerating her from blame. "But--but
4 kind Of thought you might answer
ne Of 'em. and so kept on writing"
II was glad to hear from you, and l
oppose 1t was mean of me never to
nswer any Of them. but did mother
i've you the messages / sent?"
Yes, yes! And that was something's
lie looked SO happy and so handsome
hat Eliza beth had to harden her heart
gainst the magic Of his dark eyes
livery time that nasal twang smots ON