Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-04-13


me one more favor. Tell me to whom
! am indebted for my lodging and es-
pecially for the delicious breakfast I
have eaten"
2 "The obligation is all on the other
side" said a voice behind me.
Turning quickly, saw q man stand
Ing outside the kitchen, his arms rest
ing on the window sill.
] stood looking at him, not knowing
what to say to him. He was an intel
lectual and refined looking man about
thirty years Of age. A certain sadness
was stamped upon his features, but a
change appeared to be breaking over It
a. q rift In lowering clouds. ! was
standing with plate In one hand and
a dishcloth in the other gaping at him.
Since had nothing to say he contin-
ned:
exou are The arktwon1an VINO has
been In this house in three years. Your
being here has broken a spell, / trust
forever"
"Will you kindly explain this fairy
born breakfastT said.
Certainly. come here occasionally
and happened to come early this morn
ing, having some work to do here.
Seeing horse and conveyance, pro-
ceeded with caution. Looking In at
the library window, saw you sleeping
on the lounge. 1t occurred to me that
you would need a breakfast, and set
about preparing It, There was not
much to give you, but trust It slf-
feed"
"It was delicious. Now that you
have explained trust you will listen
to my apology for trespassing on your
domain" And told my story, after
which I said that would not longer
keep him out Of his own house and
suggested that he come inside. But he
said that when man gives up his
house to q woman he has no business
there so long as she occupies 1t. To
this replied that made my own con-
ventional rules. Besides, would de-
part as soon as had finished doing
the dishes. But he remained where he
was, and when 1 had finished he placed
chairs on the porch, and, feeling sure
that he had a story to tell me, we sat
down for further chat Then for tho
first time I saw a motorcar standing
before the door in which he had come.
This was his story:
II built the house for summer resi-
dence for myself and the woman ex-
pected to marry. She was in delicate
health, and we are prone to become
more attached to one who Is dependent
on us for comfort than one who Is In
dependent of us. We planned the place
together and while 1t was building
used to come out here and watch the
materializing Of our conceptions. 1t
is not an elaborate place, but we spared
no pains to make It dainty.
Before It was finished l knew that
my beloved would not live to enjoy 1t.
She was unconscious Of the seriousness
Of her malady and continued to look
forward to our occupancy Of It with
happy expectation. On no account
would I break in upon this anticipa-
ton. Instead, l consulted constantly
with her how we would have this and
how we would arrange that keeping
her Interested In what could never be
realized In order to shield her from tho
dread truth.
while the house was building con-
tined to make changes In order to pro-
long the period of construction. In her
condition our residence here would not
be convenient. She needed the care
which she could not have here. When
the house was finished | laid new
plans for the grounds. One spring
the last of her life--we came out hero
frequently, and worked with and d.
rected men In planting and garden I'm
provements, while she lay here on the
porch and looked on, making such sug-
gestions as occurred to her.
Meanwhile my beloved was growing
more and more feeble. But not till the
day she left me did she realize that we
were to be separated; that she would
never occupy with me that on which
we had lavshed 80 much thought and
care.
"All was finished ut last. The place
was ready, and my beloved's stay on
earth came to an end. Perhaps had I
not lost an object In the completion Of
what had so long occupied me would
have borne my bereavement more
stoically. As II was, became one OF
those who nOurish grief. have kept
up this place and have come here oc-
casionally as another would visit a
grave Tint cloud has been lifted.
When looked I'm at the library win
dow and saw human being there,
sleeping, that cnstle OF grief which
have created tnmbled about me; these
premises, which ! have made a tomb
OF melancholy, have been restored TO
what they really are"
I listened to this recital with SYM
pathy that l did not try to conceal. 1
understood perfectly the change had
wrought / appreciated the motive
his seeing living woman In his home
that had led him to prepare break.
fast for her. For years he had had
no one upon whom to lavish single |
kindly act. Suddenly n woman mp
pearc1, aud he took advantage Of It.
Indeed, he told me that the prepara-
ton Of TINT meal, his watching me
eat II, which he had done surreptitious-
ly, was the happiest moment that come
to him In years.
Upon examining Bob we found him |
still lame, but my new friend found
the cause and removed II. He insisted |
on harnesslng the horse TO the vehicle, |
and when ! left him he said 10 me:
"rhis will be the first day that have |
ever spent here free from melancholy"
L.
persons property occurred several
years ago The next time ( entered |
II was NJ the bride of the owner Since
the place was perfect when II was fin
ished there Is nothing to do with It
but enjoy II. But II should see tho
slightest chance for improvement
would not mention It 10 my husband.
We go there In May and remain
through the summer. I have not yet |
40 bauatnd Iha aNiraotlyn Ia nnaoar In