Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-08-16


Paula's heart hardened, and she
laughed unpleasantly. The Feather
stons We're al that way-proud and
stiff necked and conventional to a
fault. She could safely say that there
was no ache in her heart for any one
Dick, baby Polly or any onei
She walked defantly to the mirror
and, removing her hat, looked closely
at her fair face She was as lovely as
ever. The two years Of strain and
worry had not marred her beauty. She
must keep herself lovely for Denis
sake. Denis was an artist, a dreamer,
a lover Of beauty, and If she had dis
appointed Dick, who was not beauty
worshiper, she must not fail to hold
Denis love forever.
A little terror took possession of her
for the moment, but she shrugged i'm
patiently and turned away from the
glass.
Denis was to meet her at the end of
the road and they were to go in his car
to Boston. She had wanted this hour
to herself before she left Seaways for
ever
Gently she closed the door and went
toward the stairs. Halfway down the
fight she stopped short
From somewhere in the house came
the smell Of burning wood-it was ce-
dar, perhaps driftWOod-but, no; it
couldn't be that She was quite alone
in the house.
It was merely her fancy. Something
in the hour had brought back the past
too wildly. How many times she had
come down the stairs at twilight sens
ing that same pungent odor from the
hearth fire in the library!
She must visit the library too. She
wanted that dear picture of Polly from
Dicks desk He could have as many
more taken as he chose she thought
bitterly and he would have Polly TOO
OF course the Featherstons would
teach Polly to despise her mother. But
she must hasten; Denis would be wait.
ing
She turned the knob of the library
door and entered.
Before the warm coZiness Of the
room she stood In dazed wonderment.
There was great, roaring fire of drift
wood on the hearth, and somewhere a
gnarled bit of cedar was sending out
fragrant blue smoke.
A red shaded lamp Illuminated the
room softly.
Dick was writing at his desk, some
thing big and splashing, in his dashing
way.
Curled among the cushions on the
settee was Polly, fast asleep.
A low table was drawn close to the
fire, and on it were a singing kettle and
some ciumsily arranged tiny cups and
saucerS Paula recognized them as
Pouy's cherished toys. There were
other things-a pot Of jam and some
stale looking sweet biscuits. They
might have been hurriedly rummaget
from the chimney cupboard.
Paula saw these things In one swift
glance. She also saw Dicks broad back
as he bent over the desk. He did no
turn his head at her entrance.
81 must go!' she told herself in wild
alarm, but still she stood there, afrai(
to move.
Dick did not turn his head, but pres
emily he spoke. careiessfy:
We've been waiting ages for you
dear. The kettles boi1ing over Tvs
promised Polly that she shall pour tn.
tea"
Paula leaned against the door am
closed her eyes
Coming. Pauia7" asked Dick afte,
awhile,
She came forward and, resting bel
hands for support on the desk, leaned
toward him.
"I-came here tonight-to-to-r
away with Denis Brown!" she said
"Yesr
"Well, you cannot want me to pour
tea for you nowy' she laughed bit
terly.
Polly Is to pour tea," he reminded
her gently. Besides, you will want
to say goodby to her.
"Ah!' she cried sharply. ~You arr
cruel"
He was silent His pen ceased tt
write, and she knew that he was star
ing into the fac.
He must have suffered. His DARK
hair was almost white.
Polly stirred, opened her eyes, yawn
ed like white kitten and stared at hel
mother with unbelieving joy.
ooh, muVver, muvver!" she shrieket
at last, and, tumbling off the settee
she came to Paula's outstretched arms
For a long time Paula held her there
feeling her numbed heart slowly melt
Ing under the touch Of the warm littls
body. Baby kisses smothered her fac,
and throat, and little baby chuckles o.
endearment fell on her hungry ears.
At last Paula lifted wet eyes ant
looked straight at her husband e
came after some letters of nine" sh.
said honestly. 81 must go now. Thi.
is the end"