Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18

snug ct the foot of a green hill,
- - sbout which the main highway
sw rived few hundred yards below was the
village and beyond. so miles beyond the last
roll of hills am get almost visible, SO powerful
was its pres Ice in thu minds of everybody lii
Great Meadows was the city of Bedford.
From the window Of her own chamber in
the white tavern, and with a haze OF evening
distance in her gray eyes. Anne Hazards gaze
went fondly along double line of rails that
nointed the direction from Great Meadows to
Bedford She refused to be aware that several
deserted freight cars standing faded and hid
eous near the station Scared the serene white
and green beauty of all that place. She re-
fused to be aware of the ominous look OF occa-
sional top-heavy motor trucks that hammered
towards her down the highway to spoil the
swift and silent passage OF so many cars.
Where was everybody going? Who was coming?
For the valley and village and her tavern and
Anne herself must remain ready until he came.
It was not hard for Anne 20 be ready herself.
There was always beauty in her. There was
SoftneSS and loneliness, also, in her brown hair
and her gray gaze and a sure beauty in her
direct honest. fearless manner Of speech and
Thought Her other possessions were two
aunts, who lived by little things one uncle,
stanch good. hard-heade6; her university
degree and her Meadowlark Tavern, and she
had still further a hope that was almost a
knowledge that probably in one of these groups
of travellers who filled her tiny dining room
every evening she Wosld find him.
Her small white apron sat jauntily upon hsr
frock as she went downstairs and turned into
the room so murmurous with talk and strange
voices.
She went on into the kitchen. A timid knock
at the door sounded above the bubbling and
suffering Of the range. See who that is,
SOphy," she said.
Let 'em knock, Miss Anne" advised Sophy.
ats only them trampS again."
Anne Hazard opened the door herself dis
closed the dropping thing that stood there in
the general shape of man. A shapeless hat,
through which lock of blond hair projected,
covered his head. A grimy white sweater
safety pinned at the neck, and pair of tat
tered and too-Short trousers clothed him. A
bare toe stuck out ludicrously from the re-
mains of q shoe.
"A cup of coffee, if you will be so kind,
lady"
You seem to have had enough liquid diet
already" said Anne.
A smile f1ickered across his dirty face.
You're quite right, lady, have"
Pour a cup of coffee for this man, Sophy."
Anne glanced at him again. Are you hungry?
Come in and III give you some food"
AS she drew carefully aside, he stumbled
through the doorway and of necessity passed
in front of her. He bowed abSurdly
Il beg your pardon. Perhaps you'd better
put a paper on the chair I'm not too
clean"
Anne handed him a full plate, astonished
into meeting his gaze by the fact that he rose
to receive it.
Eat and don't talk" seid Anne, departing
for the dining room. When she went back to
the kitchen, that foolish tramp stood up as
she entered
Your dinner is excellent" he said. and
glancing at Sophy's broad back, which showed
very clearly what she thought Of tramps. IT
have just complmented the cook"
Anne took SO cents and handed it to the
fellow. Here, take this TO the village and
find place to sleep it of. I'd give you so
cents more for bath, if didn't know you'd
spend the lot for GIN"
The next night he appeared again, shaved,
washed, sober-but not subdued He had
come back. he said to pay his party call and
SOphy, with grim delight forced HIM to carry
three heavy tubs of water from the cistern
and then sat him down to pare a bucketful
OF the next days potatoes. He retaliated with
o homily, delivered against her back on the
nobility Of labor, once you made your mind I'D
10 it.
Anne came in just SIS he'd finished his
dinner and noted how quickly he jumped up
and stood straight. My so cents has i'm
proved you" she said.
Because the giver graced the gift" he re-
piled
well, take this dollar then and see that