News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-11-26
oooooOooooooooooooooooooo
CALLED ON A MAN
BY h. M. EGRERT.

again" said little Miss Simpson, com.
ing up to Lillian Darrell as she sat
sewing upon the stoop. Fancy, after
all these years!"
Lillian looked up gravely. II
heard it too" she said.
1t must be Ia years since he was
In Fort Smith," continued Miss Simp-
SON And he hasn't showed his face
among the neighbors yet Weren't
you and he sort Of"
Engaged?" asked Lillian, conscious
OF her heightened color. "Yes-once. "
Dear me, who would ever think of
you as having been engaged, my
dear" soliloquized the visitor. THAT
Isl mean, of course. you and l seem
to De such settled creatures"
mat was bitter word, but it was
a true one. The women who stayed at
home in the little New England town
had Just half the opportunity of being
married that those had who went
away That was a matter of statistics.
Ihere were twice as many women as
- oiI oiiliLu' Anu IIlllidu hdu
stayed at home.
Her sister Anna had gone to the
city to be a stenographer, and had
married rich lumber merchant. She
wrote from time to time, but never
came back. Her other sister, Marian
had become hospital nurse and mar
ried a rising young doctor. Lillian
was thirty-three. She had stayed at
nome because she was the eldest, and
somebody had to care for her mother.
Caleb Trevethan had been the only
son OF old Hiram Trevethan, who own
ed the homestead at the top of Maple
avenue, nearly half mile distant. He
had left Port Smith, as all the young
men did, and, like all, had left his
sweetheart behind, promising to re-
turn.
Lillian could remember that last
night as wildly as if it had been yes
terday
Il shall come back for you, dear"
he had said. And I shall write to
you every week, or oftener. Promise
me that you will wait for me till then"
Till when?' asked the girl, feeling
utterly lonely and desolate.
Three years." said Caleb, clenching
his fists to emphasize his words. I'm
three years time | shall come back
and take you away with me. Promise
me, dear"
Lillian promised. Then she did some
thing that she had never done before;
she raised her lips to his. And the
night air became Suddenly fragrant,
and her heart swelled with happiness.
SO Caleb went away, and for two
whole months his letters came He
was doing well, he said he had a po-
sitiOn with big mill. 1t might be
less than three years.
Then the letters came less often and
grew more formal. And at last they
ceased,
Lillian lived on with her sick moth
er, until her death, year before. Her
sisters left, one after the other, and
married. Lillian heard of Caleb at
times. He had become a partner at
the age of thirty Then the big con-
solidation had come and he was a
power in Wall street before he was
thirty-fve. Then, only six months
before, she had read the news of his
engagement. She was amazed to find
herself so little moved.
Tie past had become obscure, and
half forgotten. ghe girl who had
loved so passionately was not she but |
somebody of whom she thought with
a wistful, kindly smile.
And Caleb had been three days in
the old homestead. He was alone, save
for the old housekeeper. He had not |
brought bis car, but had walked up
from the station at night, like any |
traveller. He must have passed her |
house
Lillian! What do you think! ex- |
claimed Miss Simpson on the following |
day Have you seen today's papers?
No? Well, Caleb Trevethan is a
bankrupt He had to run away from
New York. They're talking of prose
cutting him. And he's hiding in his
house because he doesn't dare face I
the people who used to know him I
"And-and his wife?" asked Lillian,
timidly.
Il guess she's not the kind that
would stand by him when he's in trou-
BILE" answered Miss Simpson. Though
now I come to think of it, whom did
he marry?"
Lillian did not know what she an
swered. Caleb returning, to revisit
his home, was one thing, but Caleb in
trouble, That was quite different To
her amazement she found that all the
Did feelings had come rushing back as
# the thirteen years had never
elapsed.
She put on her hat and started up
he street. On every porch women
we're rocking in the cool of the after
noon watching the passers-bys One
nailed her.
come in, Miss Darrell" she said.
You look as if you were on an err
and, though"
Eyes" answered Lillian. I'm going
o call on Mr.. Trevethan."
An electric shock would have
stunned the other less. Lillian going