It was a simple statement, but it laid a finger upon the past and upon the future. Cynthia, through her half-closed eyes, saw one old man with disturbed features, standing with his hand upon her chair, while another old man shuffled toward her with a glass of water, which spilled a little in his shaking hand as he came across the humble kitchen. Most inadequate dramatic elements, yet they held the tragedy of nearly a lifetime, and the comedy, though more evident, was cast by it in the shade, and she neither laughed nor cried. Within a few moments more she was on her homeward way, a trifling break in the harness tied up with twine, and Johnny Allen in the seat beside her as guard of honor. The next evening the people, driving home from the Centre, were saved from some active demonstration only by the repression of the New England temperament. Some of them even, after driving past, invented an errand to drive back again, so as to make sure. For the Granger twins sat side by side in front of the disused doorway, and their straw hats were turned sociably towards one another, now and then, as they exchanged a syllable or two, and there was a mild luminousness of pleasure in the recesses of their pale-blue eyes. The evening darkened fast into night. The plaintive half-chirp, half-whistle of a tree-toad fell in monotonous repetition upon the ear. "Hear them little fellers!" said Stephen, ruminantly. "I reckon they think it's goin' to rain." "Yare," said Reuben. "And," he went on, pushing back his straw hat and looking up into the sky, "I wouldn't wonder if they was right." "Mostly are," said Stephen. _Miss Trumbull's New Story_ * * * * * Mistress Content Cradock AN HISTORICAL TALE OF NEW ENGLAND LIFE IN THE TIME OF GOVERNOR WINTHROP AND ROGER WILLIAMS By ANNIE ELIOT TRUMBULL _Author of "A Cape Cod Week," "Rod's Salvation," "A Christmas Accident," etc._ _1 vol. 12mo., cloth. Illustrated. Price, $1.00._ * * * * * A charming colonial romance.--_The Congregationalist._ It is in a word a fascinating, strong, well-told story.--_The Church Review._ It is a delightful way to study history--one of the best of ways--to read a book written by one whose historical information is accurate.--_Boston Advertiser._ The thread of romance and love is rendered most attractive by the author's well-known bright and attractive style, her delicately fashioned descriptions, and her entertaining dialogue.--_N. Y. Times._ Winsome and captivating, Content pleases us of to-day as she did the lover who patiently waited to obtain the gift of her not too easily engaged heart, and the quiet story of her fortunes is well worth following.--_Literature._ * * * * *