Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-06-08

ment when she and the man had faced
each other in the hallway. She de-
cided at once that she had been too
| cordial, too kind, too free with this
unknown, unpresented man.
The next time Miss Barton met the
major on the stairs she merely bowed
and dropped her eyes, whereat the
major so far forgot himself as to turn
! and stare. The major had looked for
| better treatment. The majors remem-
brance of that charming afternoon in
the restful room, where lived the
woman with sun-hecked hair and
peach-blOOm cheeks, was very vivid;
while the majors recollection of the
suitcase episode was growing fainter
every day.
Weeks passed. The little mother
came to number four bringing cheer
and comfort, and a sense of home;
but she had not been there two months
before she was summoned to distant
state to see a sick daughter, where
upon the major resumed mis- old habit
of going out for his meals. His neigh
Dor he seldom saw; when he did see
her there were only the grave bow
and the quickly averted eyes to greet
him. He began to wonder if that de-
lightful afternoon In the homelike
room at number three were only q
dream after all.
Did the major forget on that day
just week after his mother left?-
or was he shamelessly making a
shrewd attempt to find out for a GER
tainty whether that afternoon was a
dream or not? At all events, one
o'clock and Miss Barton found him
seated on the topmost step of the
stairway.
I'm locked out again." he an
nOunced cheerfully, as he rose to his
feet. and if you'll believe it, that In
considerate janltor has gone to Brook
Ign, too"
Miss Barton raised her head. For an
instant a repetition of the invitation
trembled on her lips; then a certain
exultation in the mans voice, an eager
expectancy in his eyes, seat a swift
suspicion to her mind.
Perhaps-what if he had done this
thing on purposef What if
Il am sorry" she said gravely, and
passed to her own door.
well, by JOve-by JOvew muttered
the major as the door shut her from
view. Then he sat down on the top
most step and thought.
1t was on a pleasant morning not
long afterwards that Mrs Todd left
the house to spend the day in shopping.
At ten, dressed in cool gray and white,
Miss Josephine Barton opened the door
and stepped into the hall. She had
scarely crossed the threshold when a
gust of wind from the rear blew the
door to with a bang.
MY key" gasped the lady, her
small teeth seeking her under lip. Then
a relieved look come into her eyes.
Never mind-Aunt Emma will be here
long before l get back from larry
town"
She took one step forward, then
stopped. She pulled gently, then with
force, at her gray draperies. With a
quick indraWing of her breath she
turned and looked behind her. Fully
three inches of the hem of her skirt
lay under the clOse-shut door.
"Oh!" she cried softly, and tugged
again. "Oh, oh, what shall | do?"
AT that moment came a click across
the hall. Miss Barton turned right
about face on the instant. She opened
her purse and began carefully to scru-
tinize its contents.
The door across the hall opened and
the major stepped out. There was an
almost imperCeptible pause while he
waited for her recognition. 1t was
then that Miss Barton made her first
mistake. In her anxiety to appear nat
ural and unconcerned she gave, not
tie usual cold bow and mute dropping
of her eyes, but a dazzling smile.
Good morning, major" she said
, brightly. 1--WE must all be improving
this beautiful day, you see"
1t was the mans visible start of sur,
prise that opened Miss Barton's eyes
She frOze instantly.
Certainly, certainly" beamed the
major; then he caught sight of her
stern unsmiling face. "Er-certainly,
lie mumbled, as he turned and hurried
downstairs, wondering the while if ii
, were his ears or his eyes that were
playing him false this time.
, When silence once more reigned in
the hall Miss Barton dropped YEARLY
) to her knees, twisted her body about
. and brought both hands to bear on the
gray skirt. 1t was useless.
, "Oh, dear! Oh DEAR" moaned Miss
! Barton. what can | do? l can't stay
| here all day."
A clatter of steps from the floor
above brought her painfully to hel
| feet; and again she scrutinized the
;. contents of her purse. This time a
tenant from number five passed down
the stairs. Four times was this repeated
[ At the end of an hour she was lean.
. ing. white and exhausted, against the
casing when the main door downstairs