Gilpin observer., 1920-03-04
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s NEVER TOO LATE
BY JENNIE LITTLE.

!
porch and shaded her eyes from the
morning sun. that ses might look deep
er and farther into the budding green
mysteries of n perfect day. AS her
gaze wandered appreciably from the
distant hills to the nearer meadows
and orchards. their peace seemed re-
hected in her face. But when she
glanced down at her own garden a
quick frown accompanied an impa-
tient exclamation, THAT pesky dog
again! / declare it's enough to pro-
woke saint, which l never claimed
to be. If there's one thing ON earth
more bothersome than another, it's
neighbors who don't care two pins for
other peoples comfort"
Once upon time before Miss I.y-
dia's coming, the path from her steps
had run directly through that yard and
the next, ending at the adjoining
house and was n well-worn trail. But
little cloud had appeared on the
friendly horizon, at first no bigger
than mans hand, and grew to such
proportions that the spite fence had
appeared to stop all intercourse.
However, two young folks lived on
either side, and love laughs at fences
| as well as locksmiths. so just where
the big maple stretched its branches
over the top an almost invisible gate
had been made and many night had
the lovers found it an ideal trysting
place. But this was years ago and the
original owners had moved far away.
fol xx,;t oh,
and hinges. but she had never used It,
as the next house had been empty un-
til lately and then she had been dis
appointed to learn that It was Only
lone bachelor who had taken the
+, farm.
But today with sudden determ!ra-
tion she picked up the broken tulips
and started down the path. Meantime
! her neighbor, happily unconscious of
trouble, and feeling at peace with
every man, went whlstling TO the barn.
! Round the corner whsked large cat,
/ holding chicken in its mouth and
disappeared through the very hole un-
der the fence that the mischievous
pup had used. "Drat that cat" cried
the farmer, "thcre goes another of my
best Plymouth Rocks. This thing Is
going to be stopped right now!' and
he too strobe down the path toward
the gate stepping through 1t just rs
Miss Lydia was about to reach for the
latch Dear me-" was her startled
thought, "it's himself. Now's my
chancew though her courage was 60
ing fast, for she was n shy soul. "Shc's
the one this interviews coming to-"
ran Farmer Johns mind. "for I saw
her petting that ornery cat one day."
and simultaneously they spoke.
"AIa'am. that eat of yours"
"Sir, your dog"
Then they broke off in blank amaze
ment. A long stare, and again they
cried in unison:
"John!' -
"Lyddy," :
"How in the world?--"
"What on earth?-"
And stopped again, for want of
breath, seemingly. If so, John was the
first to recover 1t.
'Lyddy-tell me, have you been liv-
Ing here all these long years? I left
uOIne tHe uuN ulltI we JuNt
TO make you sorry; but I was sure you
would send for me to come back. And
when I'd waited as long as I could
stand 1t. and was starting home, had
long spell of sickness that mighty
near kept me from ever seeing old
Barlow again. And when I did get
there. nobody knew where you were.
I went away to work again and was
lucky. This spring ! got tired OF It
all and bought this farm for change.
Just now your cat caught another
chicken. and I was coming over to
Lyddy, are you married7"
Lydia's face famed like pink
peOny. "Why, no. John. You see, mas
health never was good In Barlow, 20
when an old aunt left her this little
place she wanted to try the country
air. And wns secretly grieving over
you, John, and wanted to come where
nobody knew me so we Just quietly
moved Rway OF here; and when ma
died Mt last just stayed on. I hadn't
inquired your name Of anyone. and
was coming to tell you how your dog
was spelling my garden"
"Lyddy," said John softly. "do you
remember the night of the big sleigh.
ing party. when you and I promised
to be pals for life? Look. I've carried
this with me always"
And he produced from his pocket.
book funny little tintype that she
had given him on that occasion.
"Wlll you give me n chance to make
up for all we've missed since theni
Twas all my fault we quarreled."
mo, mine too. for I was stubborn"
was the quick reply; "but oh, we're
too old to marry now"
Iol L..