Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-05-29

/ bCG bOLutDOuyg bht CliuCu SkuuCly
then fed In the direction OF the gate,
where young man In a red necktle
was suddenly waiting to take her to
drive in shining new buggy,
"Old gentleman Abel Durham turn
ed crimson at the opprobrlous term.
The front door opened and a faded
little woman came out drying her
hands on her bingham apron. She had
obviously just concluded washing the
Sunday dinner dishes, and she sank
into the nearest rocking chair with a
weary sigh, removing her apron and
tossing 1t aside all In one swift ges-
ture
"Howdy dor" she queried without In
terest as she surveyed Abels immacu-
late figure. won't you sit down a
spell? Pas over to Westwood today.
guess you're the new preacher from
North Telfieet. amt you"
Abel Durham stared at her. This
faded little gray haired woman was
the mother of the girl he had taken for
Amy. SO this must be Amy, Amy
must be married. chill feeling took
possession OF his well ordered being,
and he suddenly thought Of bis room at
Miss Pollock's, and great fear assail-
ed him that Miss Anastasia might rent
the room to some one else before he re-
turned
I'm not the new preacher" he said,
with "A slckly smile. Pm Abel Dur
ham, Don't you remember met"
The woman sat up and peered down
at him from Amy Cox's beautiful blue
eyes. abel Durham she gasped at
last ITO think Of your catching me
like this! I'd never have known you
you've grown so fatg'
"Fat2" echoed Abel helplessly.
She laughed with amusement. Don't
you know 1t? My, don't you remember
how thin you used to be1 The boys
used to call you Skinny Durham.
remember once Jake Fenlow called you
that and you struck out at him and
you had an awful fight You licked
him, too. although you was such a
skinny little fellow! You couldn't lick
him now; you're too fati' laughed Amy.
~ couldn't, eh2 What has become
of Jake FenlowT demanded Abel
fiercely
~ married him." said Amy calmly.
There was a long silence.
1--WE got to be going" said Abel sud
denly. 81 was Just looking around the
mountain, and l thought I'd drop In
and see you"
GLAD to see you. Come In when
ever you're passing by" invited Mrs.
Fenlow amblguously. Jamie, what
are you up to In there?" She darted
inside the house, and Abel Durham
took advantage OF her absence to de
part
He hurried down the mountain rond.
painting and putting with the unaccus-
toned exertlon. He overlook the shin
Ing new buggy and noted with sick
ening recollection OF his own lost youth
that the young man In the red necktle
had his arm around pretty Amy's slen-
der waist He heard the girl giggle ms
he rushed past them In cloud OF dust
raised by his own hurried feet.
Along by the river bank he overlook
the stage making It's lazy way toward
the station and he buried himself In
Its musty depths with sigh Of relief
All the way back 10 the city his mind
was busy with plans for the future.
40 that when I'm the quiet of the Sun.
day evening he presented himself Mt
Miss AnastnsIa Pollock's parlor door
he was not only ImmaculnteIy garbed,
but his mind was set In order as well.
AnostasIo yos rendIn0 Inv the IIpbt
OF n pink shaded lamp. and a pink
shawl was thrown about her shoulders.
lending n fictitious glow TO her pale
cheeks Her fair hnIr wns slightly
loosened and softencd the sharp out
unea drawn nv relentIeas time
For a moment Abel Durham watched
her, a queer little feeling Of wanting
TO protect Anastasia from the storms
OF life disturbing his heart. Remove
Miss Pollock from this boarding house
otmosnbere Dlace her I'm n charming
home, let her rest and rest again why,
AnastasIn would be handsomel lie
longed TO do It. and the desire had been
born In him way back there on the
mountain when he had realized that
II wns too late 10 tnke 10 the broken
threads OF youth. The threads OF his
middle nge were interviewer with the
threads OF A nhBtasia Pollocks life. To
gether they would make a fabric OF
pray and silver with the ROSY fhread