Norwich bulletin., 1913-07-23
WHILE THEY WAITED


 l lined against the clean blue of the sky like some exquisite cameo. She nao always been beautiful though; 1t wasn't that which made the man ex- claim again irrepressibly:7-
 You've changed so, Eleanor! It was true. It was no mere fancy of his imaginative writer's eye that dis 1 covered new meanings in the face be- fore him: it had undergone vague, but very gracious transformation.
 Changed 7 repeated she, with cu- Tious tenderness. I've tried to change. @ TriedAdo you understand? Since last winter when we agreed to separate. I've been trying hard, Maverick l to take control of my own stunted na- ture. turn it where it twists" Dear broke in Oliver with bitter l both, do you hear? And I'm afraid you've been cleverer than I if you've unsnarled things that failed to fit the pattern. I've not changed much I'm afraid--'
 Under her black lashes the woman smiled at him with a reverence he might have translated Chad he been high piumed) as some loyal acQuies- cence in his former state. What Oliver felt now, however. was curiosity in his young wife, not in himself. So
 Tell me-" he burst forth, what has changed you so?"
 She rolled up her absurd little handkerchief into string. and, throwing it over her knee, pulled it unconsciousIy by both ends, gazing steadfastly into the blue distance above Divers head
 T don't know whether I ought to tell you," she began.
 i Oliver recalled that delicious little habit she used to have of tempting the fates shyly; of hesitating when she meant to be, rightdown outrageous.
 "Of course you ought he urged. l You always do in the end you know. and it will save time' Under her playfulness he had allowed himself to grow light hearted
 l Well, then" she began, but her l voice trailed off vaguely. Her checks 1 took on a pinker bloom;; she forgot 1 the handkerchief and finished her l thought with a mature dignity that became her like the armor of her
 Our little boy. Maverick. Our little 1 boy has changed me-"
 An! Our boy Oliver broke off abruptly, for something had suddenly clutched him by the throat.
 The woman hastily brushed her tears away. and went on practically l You'd be proud of him, Maverick such strong, agile limbs and he has the will of a little savage" Let me see," Oliver said, brusquely, SlOOp4IlS over the eOS0 dIlO plucking a buttercup stalk that had ambitiously grown up from the gray ell; he must be II months now" es, he was when-when you last ] saw him." She kept her eyes deliber- = ateIy fixed upon the high railroad trestles in the blue distance. Do you ] know, he's been such a help to me i I've told him all the things I wanted to tell you; told him that his mother had been a vain, silly, girlish tyrant who, coming straight from the con- vent wanted to have everything this 1 world had to give-money, fame, posi- tion-an those things that are bought | in the market pla ce-and had wanted 1 to buy them with his fathers con- ! science"
 Over the trestles the smoke of the incoming train was Seen.s There was the usual hustle and running to and fro off the platform, seizing of hand bags, carting of trunks, and so on 1 Whatever swift, mutual soul-revela- tionS Oliver and his wife had been on the point of making dissolved into nothingness, jared by the prosaic commotion of traffic. It was a pity too; for with Eleanors last words her face had melted into a pliant | sweetness; her exquisite mouth had taken on sudden quivering little curves; she had seemed about to say Ambition, selfshness. the cruelty o1 pride-all these things have gone Maverick"
 She didn't say that. however. In stead, she rose from the wooden steI which her husband had dusted for her l I'm glad you found me changed, she said merely Somethir~ in the mans honest soul overlooked
 I tool, too Eleanor, will change?" cried he.
 "Ah, you've no need to-, answered she. meeting honesty with honesty | sVn11 ri11cr ilyo fI1 fvoA wonder nodded in the direction of the woodland-"for years-straight and strong. l had to be pruned. had
 The trains screeching whistle, dead ened her words. It came rushing in or's tiny suit case and umbrella in his hand. There was a confused sound of greeting to the passengers who had alfghted and the clamor of hotel rum ners and bus drivers.
 Now, then, step lively" cried the brakeman, as the last much bundled old woman descended allowing the impatient travelling men to climb aboard. Oliver and his wife were the last of the crowd.
 He helped her aboard, found her chair for her in the parlor car and then turned miserably to meet her eyes
 All aboard!" came the strident voice of the conductor. The train began te move almost imperceptibly.
 "Good-by!" cried Oliver, battling with strong emotion. but conscious o1 the increasing movement of the train
 Then, as he bent over her seat, the woman laid a trembling hand on his arm, and her eyes were brimmine with slow tears.
 ''Good-by, Maverick? Don't yor want to go with me to our baby?''
 Good heaVenSi Eleanor do want to?"
 Some lonely passengers at the other end of the car wondered what had suddenly illumined the mans hand.