Evening star., 1922-04-30
The Town That Wasn't

When the rain let up the wind came.
Carrying her little searchlight, she crept
from the car into the wild blackness
until she came up against hard OBJ
stacle. 1t proved to be one Of pair
Of old stone pillars. marking an en-
trance. A far flicker of lightning re-
veaisd them f1anked on either side by
a thicket Of cedars and opening up be-
tween them the astounding vista of
fishing village with surf boat fes-
tooned with nets In the foreground.
A fishing village ten miles from the
nearest navigable water! But at least
it was shelter. She made her way
up the straight. ordered street and
brought up in the lee of what appeared
to be a country town store. To her
surprise the door was unlocked. She
entered and called. Nobody replied.
Neatly set about in the space were
candy packets. chewing gum cartons and
boxes purporting to hold innocent
amusements such as lotto and check
shop
The waif had let herself out and
tried the cottage next door. 1t also
proved to be open. void and lifeless
But amid the chill neatness of the lit
tie front room was one touch of COM
fort. broad couch covered with blan-
kets. Utterly weary the girl sat down
upon it. She sank back and drew the
soft covering over her
Il don't care where l am" Dorothy
Forrest had declared valiantly and
drowsily to herself I'm going to
sleep"
Which she had promptly done.
And now this awakening! She re-
called having wished that she had lived
in an age of romance, more glamour.
Perhaps she had been miraculously
transported to trial of her wish.
''Mi-i-i-i-ilk
He had come back. heedfully bearing
a tin cup. a large one. She handed It
to him. empty after three slow
draughts. across the windowsill.
Its quite wonderful milk said she
gratefully. THANK you so much"
at ought to be-" he returned. 'It
comes from a wonderful COW. Sne earns
$40 day
That's great deal. isn't it," she
queried politely.
It's more than any other member of
the family earns"
This appeared to be an opening.
Are there many of you in the family?"
Myself and the cow"
"How cozy. l trust you have many
tastes in common"
HE checked off the roster on his
fingers. We'll, we both like the
country And are of philosopnic tenn
permanent. And have simple habits.
And rise early. And do our best for
casual guests. And try-by the way.
won't your husband be worried?
could telephone him if you want me to-"
Gould you? 1 couldn't
"Isn't he within telephoning dis
tance%'
Not that I know of. What makes
you think I'm married.
why, with your looks and at your
age 1 don't quite see how you could
nave escaped this long"
My age? How old do you think l
am?''
''Oh, thirty or so.''
Heavens! What won't night in
the open do to one." she lamented.
DO I really look as bad as that?'
Not by ten years"
'"Then-'
with the present fashion in adorn-
ment." he explained, "a girl who looks
nineteen is usually somebody's grand
mother"
well, I'm not. I'm twenty three years
old if you want to know. and I'm not
married nor go" Recollection, abrupt
and disconcerting, checked her.
"Wno is it you're not going to be
married to? Or are you?"
With mingled amusement, astonish-
ment and dismay she perceived that
his hand, which still rested on the sill
holding the tin cup. was trembling, and
that he was controlling his voice with
an effort.
Dorothy heard herself state fatty,
well, I'm not" and Immediately won-
dered why on earth she had said it.
What possible affair was it of his?
At his next remark she fairly
jumped. for he had read her thought
and responded to it as simply as If sne
had spoken it aloud.
"Of course it isn't. But if you only
knew how l have always hoped that
'Always?" she broke in in bewilder-
ment. What does always mean"
Five weary years.
"Old stuff" said Miss Forrest scorn-
fully. You're trying to make me think
that we've met before"
You haven't" he conceded, leave 1t
at that and have another cup of milk
from the ten-dollar-a-day cow"
mo. thank you But does sne really
give ten dollars worth every day?'
asked the girl.
"Oh, she doesn't earn her money CIV
ing milk"
How else can a COW earn money"
demanded the girl. "in any sane world?"
who ever said this was a sane
world?"
'"If it isl asserted the visitor, look
ing about her. II don't belong In it.
And I'm sure you don't. You don't
pretend to be sane, do you?"
What does it matter" he challenged,
"in Pasqueet. Maine?"
what does anything matter"-she
answered the appeal Of his smile with
ripple of laughter-'in Pasqueet,
Maine? II you could only prove to
me that it is Pasqueet!"
Lean out Of the window, o Maid of
the Doubling Heart!"
She obeyed, and saw, at the end Of
the street on tree-encircled rise, a
simple, little. steepled building. what
a duck of a churchi" she cried