News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-06-11
BY SUSANNA GLENN.

hats that needed altering, or chahg-
ing the length of garments.
Lucy did not often get chance to
wait on customers. Her face was too
thin and colorless to be pretty, and
she wore unlovely, seryiceable
dresses Madam liked to have every
thing in her establishment exquisitely
sweet and attractive.
But Lucy did not complain. She
was only too thankful for the sltua-
ton as it stood ana wondered why
Madame kept her at all She was
too modest to realize the value OF
her painstaking service.
She was thankful, to, for her mis-
cradle little hall-bedroom, because she
had always been able to keep her
room to herself.
But even with this fund of thank.
fitness" at her command, Lucy
would have had hard time if it had
not been for her dreams!
When the back room or the hall
bedroom became insufferably hot and
GREATNESS, she dreamed about the
green grass, the waving trees, the re-
freshing breezes of her beloved coun-
try where she had spent early years
of her life.
When the rumble of drays and the
crash of cars made her head throb,
she dreamed Of the drowsy afternoons
filled with the droning Of bees and
Crickets, and the croaking of frogs at
twilight
When her fingers were blue with
cold, she dreamed of the cracking of
fragrant wood fires and the warmth
of yellow lamplight.
Then, quite unexpectedly one day, a
new impetus was added to them She
was standing near the front door wait
ing for a dress that needed altering,
when a man entered and looked about
uncertainty.
The face above his neat, white col
lar was rudy from sun and wind,
with a white band across the fore
head where his hat gave protection.
Everything about him, from his fine,
steady eyes to his easy, plain suit of
gray wool spoke to Lucy of the coun-
try, and when their eyes met she
smiled unconsciously, as upon a
friend.
Can you wait on me?" inquired the
man, stepping forward
One Of the other girls will know
more about things" suggested Lucy,
modestly.
But | prefer YOU" he smiled. You
see, I'm not just sure what I do
want, and l know you viii not laugh |
at me. 1t may seem ridiculous, but |
do you know it is very disconcerting
to be laughed at under such cir
cumstances? ?"
Il promise you not to laugh" said
Lucy. Now tell me what you wish
All sorts Of things for a baby a
year old. Yes, everything, he seems
to be about out of everything. Yes,
he lives in the country, and needs
just everyday things, you know. And
not too many white things-his moth
er is pretty busy!"
Lucy smiled and made suggestions
The man bought lavishly.
There, l think that will do" he
agreed at last. Il never would have
thought about his outgrowing them.
Now, a couple of suits for dress-up.
and | guess it will do.
Never had Lucy made up a box with
greater care. She almost felt like
crawling under the cover herself for
the sake of getting back to the
country.
That evening she was happy think
ing about the baby with his store of
new things. The autumn wind that
ratified the loose frame of her win
dow SO dismally would make music in
the chimney before which the mother
would be trying on the little gar
ments.
To Lucy's delight, the man came
again to Madame Lorimer's. She was
in the back room bent almost double
over bit of dark sewing in the dim
autumn afternoon, but he asked for
her, and Madame called her, we'll
pleased.
1T is the little girl this time" he
said. "She is four years old and rath-
er small for her age. | wanted to
bring her along, but her mother
thought it was too cold. l came to you
again. because you did so we'll by me
before-the little fellow has looked |
as fine as a king all winter!"
Lucy flushed with pleasure and ex-
citement while she picked out sensi-
BILE little rompers and gingham frocks |
and stout stockings, followed by the |
dainty white frocks and frilly petit |
coats dear to every childs heart.
You had better tell me your name"
suggested the man, as he prepared to
leave. Pm liable to have to come |
again, and I'd like to know whom to
ask for. My name is Richard Falk- !
ner."
Il used to know of Falkners when
i lived in the country said Lucy, CIV |
ing her name.
Il suspect then" said Fallzner, you
must belong to the Wayland Corner
Lanes?" And they proceeded to get
very well acquainted indeed.
Occasionally through the winter
Falkner came for somefhinp for tba