Year: 1872

into my soul, and his grasp of nv hand
was almost painful.


We said but little, l understood that
from Sue he had learned the particulars of
his mothers death, and expressed his
grief at the loss, while his heart went out
to her in a great surge Of gratitude that
could lind no outward manifestation.


tie told us very briefly Of his past life
For the first time we learned that his faith
er's i'll treatment had driven him to sea
when in his seventeenth year. He lost
trace OF his family when they moved to
our village, and knew nothing of his
mother's widowhood and poverty. Re-
turning from long residence in India,
ne mad found clue at last, only to learn
tnat his mother had gone to sleep in the
little cemetery on the hill, after a brave
struggle with the hardships of her lot. He
lett US, saying he should be back at night
to see the little brothers to whom he was
known only by name.
Yes, you know of course, that they
were married. am only telling you how
It came about. l used to go less and less
frequently to the farmhouse, for found
that Sue did not miss me much when
Robert Frost was there-which was AT
least two-thirds of the time. Sues face
grew brighter every day, and Aunt Ave
rvs eyes beamed infinite satisfaction
through her spectacles.
l walked into the house one day. and
found it apparently deserted, but sound
OF voices in the parlor led me to the door.
paused on the threshold, however.
Robert Frost held my own sister close to
ms heart. telling her, in words to which |
dld not stop to listen, how infinitely dear
she was to him. She smiled up at him
from her resting place. The face on which
ne could not see a single blemish, was
transfigured in its perfect JOY


crept away softly, and after while
sue found me sitting on the doorstep and
waiting for some signal of life Jumped
up and hugged her.


''Oh, Sue.' I cried. .'what n tell-tale
face. know all about itr And could
have shouted for joy.


sue was herself again--our old Sue,
with the old fun, and sparkle and ready
wit She took me into her confidence,
and ended by parodying her iavorite poet,
Tennyson


" He does not love me for my face


- for mat is neither sweet nor fair;


lie loves me for my own true worth,


Ana tliat Is all says Susie Thayerr


How wished Robert could see her then,


As you know all about her beautiful
place at riverside, | need not tell YOU
what a home hers is.


Robert was mysterious for long time.
and Sue thought they were to live on lust
the same in the old house. You can guess
what surprise it was to her to be taken
to that lovely place, and installed as its
mistress. The boys were nearly crazy
with delight. and, strangely enough, most
OF the villagers came to the conclusion
that Robert Frost was somebody, after all,
when they discovered that he was the pos
SCISSOR OF large fortune made abroad


Its Just like a fairy story" said Alice,
wandering about half-dazed with the
beauty on every side.


l couldn't help quoting our little text:


ou cast Your bread on the waters.
SUE"


Yes: and after many


She uttered the words slowly, and then
stopped: as if thinking how many, and
how full of pain they had been.


''lt did come back buttered," said our
precious aunty, to the surprise of every
body.


Il am sure, if Were in your place"
remarked Alice, in her delicate fashion.
81 should think my bread was cake"


''Frosted-cake," said mans voice, and
there stood Robert in the doorway. smil-
ingat us.


There was great laugh, for he had
heard every word.