Miss Gibbie Gault

d at last found rest. Yorkburg recovering from its sh

aughed and nodded her head. "Good-morning sun," she said, "good-morning birds, good-morning everything!" Her

iful, beautiful apple blossoms!" She threw t

y and field, now glancing at the lawn of velvet green, now at the upturned earth on the left, the or hard on the right, the thread of water in the distance w

, "God, I am so

y, and presently she laughed again as if at some dear memory. It was so good to be among the old loved things, the straggling streets an

h, mein F

e light breeze. She pulled the ribbons from the long braids of hair

e there in a minut

ein Fra

ing important to do, and I can't do it if constantly interr

so, mein

moment on Hedwig's lips. "Does t

at home, you see. I will be down in the orchard, and if Miss Gibbie come

and, mein

ding in front of her mirror looked into it first w

y wanting only, and Martha is going to make you talk to those men to-night." She leaned closer to the mirror. "I wonder how you happened to have light eyes when you like dark ones so much better, and brown hai

odding her head in decision. "I will ear that white embroidered mull to-

was the point of destination; but first she stood on the front porch and looked up and down the sandy road which could be well seen from the hilltop. No sign of life upon it, she turned and went through the hall to the

as she went in and out among them, her feet making but slight impression on the moist springy soil, grass-grown and sprinkled with petals, pink and white,

s, the clear song of robin and the cat-bird's call fell after a while unheeding on her ears, and the drowsy hum of insects was lost in the dreaming that possessed her. From the garden of old-fashioned flowers some distance off

stand; doesn't know why I am back, and why I am living alone save for the servants; and some don't approve. That the once charity child who lived at the asylum should now own Tree Hill is something of a trial, and that it could happen without their knowledge or consent is grievous unto them. But they have been so good to me, all the old friends; are glad, they say, to have me back, and I am so happy to be back. There have been changes, but not many. The mills and factories have brought new people, some of the old ones have died, the little ones grown up, several have married and gone away to live, but it is t

ckly she was on her feet, her arms around her

so glad you've c

me, knock me down an

hing of the kind. And

me look at you. How did

wake long enough to fin

rl I'd play all around

e place to play it in, a

ink-to think th

ed trees on the side and cornfields at the back, isn't much to dance over; but things have in them what

the ru

. What are you out here for, anyhow? Bugs and bees and birds may

t here so as to be not at home

uiringly. "Nonsense such as this will force you on the roof, if you'd say your prayers in private,

led the bread and threw it to the birds, and, wi

e seen every one of them. I'm s

promise, just ask him to kindly put his name to it. I'm like a darkey-I've more confidence in a piece of paper with some writing on it than in

Yorkburg a week in his life. And yet he says we've got as good stre

ut. Here, Hedwig, take my hat and bring me some iced tea-and next time y

ves, opened the bag hanging from her waist, took from it a handkerchief of finest thread, and with it wiped her face. After a moment she glanced around. "A house knows when it is occupied. Sleeping here has given thi

little Harmony House! Oh, Miss Gibbie, you have been so good, so precious good!" The strong young arms reached down, and on her warm breast she drew t

forgive, but never the telling of my private affairs. Where is that list of City Fathers? Here, get me another c

l straight one near the table on which Hedwig was placing iced tea and sandwiches, and as she reache

for an occasional grunt which was half sniff, half snort; then as she put down

what gover

body of as

ee have come t

per. "These are the individuals who make our local

ker.' Deals with the dead.

Agent.' Travels. Sleeps home

ls.' In council as matter of conscience

spitter.' Livery business. Reads

orn Pawnbroker, now Ba

chandise.' Votes as he's told by t

Yorkburg Shoe Factory.' Sensible and good w

n Mr. Blick's grocery store. Salary eight dollars

rey, Lawyer.' We

' Whiskey business and

of her. "There," she said, "there's the list of your Yorkburg Fa

thed and folded carefully. "But I don't believe it w

Miss Gibbie bounced hal

vited myself to some of the places, but some of the people invited me themselves. I'm afra

ward Miss Gibbie, but t

t down at the table

o eat, and food makes such a difference in a man's feelings. But there isn't such a great difference in people when you know them through and thr

head. "Never told me

s. Milligan's table-cloth as big as a salt-cellar, it was so full of food. I took some of everything on the table. Mr. Milligan kept handing me things from his end and Mrs. Milligan from her end, and the little Milligans fr

see what they would do. And in the years I have been away, almost ten years, I have been thinking and watching and wondering if half the trouble in the world is not from misunderstanding, from not knowing each other better. And how can we know if each stays in his own little world, never touches the other's life?" She laughed, nodding her head. "I wouldn't discuss Flaubert with Mr. Milliga

I used to be young once and dreamed dreams, but I dreamed them in my own house. I might understand how you could eat with any s

ows lifted, and Mary Cary, getting on her fe

e McDougal's beau, Mr. John Armitage, the soap-box

nd the turkey-wing fan was held at arm's-length. "He uses h