South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-07-28

ing, when Pennie and l strolled into th
study, there he was, waiting for US
Why, Scot" 1 exclaimed, meeting hiI
gladly. Il didn't expect you back; cel
tainly not to work. Have you breakfaste
YETI How is Mrs Cowen?"
:" A little better, thank you," lie sale
turning slowly from me to take Pennie
offered hand. az have breakfasted Ion
ago"
"Have you sent for Walter?" aske
Pennie. her eyes fixed upon his face.
"Yes."
And then he sat down calmly in hi
place, and we read together, while Penni
stood silent, leaning against the window
frame. did not know whether she wa
| glad that she should see Walter so soon, o
sorry for his pleasant excursion to be in
terrupted.
Each day now, as soon as our studies
were over, Scot went home, and in thI
afternoon Pennie drove me to Easter Hill
and leaving me in the carriage at the gate
went up to the house on foot to see Wal
tef's mother. She never stopped very
long, though I am sure that if Mrs. Cover
had liked TO have had her she would have
taken up her abode there to watch anG
nurse by night and day. But the sick
mother cared for no one; only counting
the hoGrs before her son should come, anC
fretting that Scot had not made hin
hasten. The day when Walter might have
arrived had passed, and only then could
See how unquestionably Pennie had de-
pended on his coming. She seemed be-
wildered, unable to believe he was not in
the train, and she stood on the platform
as it rolled away, her yearning eyes fol
lowing it piteously.
There were so many hindrances pos
sible," told her.; $50 many unforeseen
things might have occurred to delay him !"
But She never answered me a word; and
when that whole week went by and still
he did not come, her silence grew more
distressing to ME than passionate grief or
anger. EE --
On tine last day the post brought two
letters. One for Pennie, which she read
with cold. tight lips, then threw across to
me; and one for Scot, which he had taken
away with him unopened. f.. --
The old lady was so fidgety. Walter
wrote, that it would be ridiculous TO sup
pose that she really meant him to come
home from such distance, and have the
bore and expense of going back when her
little attack of fear had subsided. She
wanted him with her. In the meantime
he had written to her and it would be all
right
1 read no more. I folded the letter, and
passed it back to Pennie, asking her if she
did not think it would be better for Scot
TO have a holiday for time, that he might
not feel his duties pulling him two differ
cnt ways.
ny. Nl..-r;o IL ,,;d 80 ,-oa uDo1o
and both think las you would if you had
been TO see Mrs. Cowen) that it is better
for Scot to have his old work. If he were
constantly with her, fretting as she always
is for Walter, it would harass and weary
him more than this change does. She
never expresses wish to have him al
ways there; yet he is tender, cheerful
nurse, Charlie"
Ibid not answer, for just then Scot
came in, greeting US both with his gentle
smile. He had been to the stations
Truitless errand now, and Pennie had new
sr been since that first hopeful day-and
could see by her glance at his solitary fig
IRE, as ne came up, that the old hope had
been with her this morning. had
thought it would be so, because by this
ime Walter might have arrived, in answer
% the letter she herself had sent urging
him to come.
al think my letter must have miscar-
led, Scot?" she asked, with quiet wist-
Illness; "don't your"
"Oh, he would be sure to come" Scot
aid, looking quickly away from her face.
There was no placing dependence ON
oreign posts"
Suppose you were to write again ?"
proposed Pennie, deferentially.
That was exactly what he had been |
linking. There must have been some |
mistake in the last address.
"Wouldn't it have come back in that |
ase?" suggested.
ave certainly ought not to expect it
'ack so soon," he decided. But he would
ot wait for it; he would write again, at
nee
And after he had left us, could not help
cling Pennie what had heard at the
ost office-tliat every night letter went
rom Scot to his brother with a large
Immediate on the envelope.
Pennie turned away from me in angry
eat
"What does he write, then? Why does
e not write what will bring Walter home,
nd not fret and worry him, yet keep him
here While his mother is-dying?" Then
er wrath and courage broke down, and
ne leaned her tired little head against me,
nd sobbed out the fear, and love, and dis
ppointment which she had hidden so
ing.
After that she was very petulant with
cot; more petulsnt even than in old times
nd when the subject which knew to be
ways uppermost in her thoughts was
.entioned, she would say impatiently that
e all made ridiculous fuss, that Mrs.
owen was not really very i'll, only fancy
g it; that Walter, of course, would come
soon as he could; and that she was tired
death of the worry there was in the
ouse just through the stupidity of Scots
tiers
Swing nothing of her own letter, which
ad been equally unavalling, would try to
mpt her to read 20 me, or play, or drive;
ut she would only refuse me with aquick
No." and leave me suddenly, coming
ack presently to throw her arms around
e and sob that she was wretched, un-
-ateful girl, and did not deserve to be
we'd by me or-Walter. And as this
carrying time went on, she went about
Ie house with small, tight lips, and rest
IS hands, and grew always harder and
ore contradictory to Scot whenever she
,oke to him at all.
Four weeks had gone by since Pennies
st letter had been sent to Walter, when
rly on one sunny August morning, Scot
Mt messenger 10 tell US that his mother ;;
as dead. | had to tell Pennie myself, ,
ID when had done 50 in few sad words, !
e broke from me and ran up stairs.
trough that long, lonely day she never
me near me, and began to realize what
would be to live without either Pennie
Scot.
sent telegram off to Walter at once,
his mothers death-though l I
It sure Scot had done so. And at last |
y father came in, and Pennie crept into
r place among US.
Not once did she mention Walters
me to me; and on the night before the Q
neral, when-follOwing the arrival of the {
,ndon expTess-a cab drew up to the I
or, heard her tell the servant she was !
gagged "to every one" He, knowing he !
4 not misunderstood her quiet, firmly Z
oxen order, told Walter Sd, and let him c
i've away in the darkness to the home
at was SO doubly darkened now. !
Ill .
1t was the morning after Mrs. Cowen's y !
neral, and was sitting in our pleasant l ,
ldy, basking as invalids love to do, in y
Q morning sunshine, Leaning at the =
ndOW in her old attitude stood Pennic q