Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-07-20

Alton Mayo sat gazing ON the por-
trait of a beautiful little girl that
hung over the marble MANTLE An
expression sad, but of infinite TEN
derness, was on his fine face, as he
murmured:
"Waitingi But tits long-very,
very long" lE-
At length, butnot until the knock
ing at the door had been repeated,
was he aroused from his reVerie.
"What is it, John2" he asked, ap-
preaching and holding the door ajar.
ga gentleman IN the library, sir, .
answered the servant, presenting a
card. ...-. -...-
a smile of satisfaction broke over
the face, so sad moment before.
"I will be down in q moment, say
so, John. And get upa nice supper
as soon as possible" he said, step
ping back into the room and closing
the door.
Then taking from the table a large
square of some soft fabric, he
mounted an ottoman and threw it
over the portrait, completely vail
ing the beautiful face. A little
workable, with its customary ap-
pOintments, was likewise carefully
covered. Here and there little arti-
cles of q woman's belonging were
gathered hastily together and care
fully covered. The music was re-
moved, the plano closed and then
he drew off the handsome cashmere
dressing robe, slipped from his feet
the beautifully embroidered slip
pers, and putting them into the war
drobe, took from it coat and other
slippers. a moment more and his
toilet was complete.
Removing the key from the lock,
he went out, closed the door, fasten-
ed it securely, and putting the key
In his pocket, FASTENED down to the
library.
"Welcomei welcome dear old
fellow P' he said, in tone that told
the greeting came from his inmost
heart. His hands extended were
clasped and held, while his friend
gazing earnestly into his face, said;
Twenty years, Alton, bring many
and marked changes. But Ihad not
expected to find you thus. What
has changed the widest, merriest
boy Of our number so9 You, of all
I'Ve met since my return, should
have been the least altered. An old
bachelor, Ned Austin, told me ]
should find you; and by my life
thought you'd make the merriest
one in the world. Now old married
mon like me, with half score OF
little ones to take care of, is some
thing to bring grave thoughts and
looks to q man; but you"
"Sit down, WILL" Alton Mayo
said, and with almost Womanly ten
derness he drew him toward and
seated him in a comfortable arm
chair. "NoW go on. And what
were you going to say about me" I"
he asked, seating himself near hi:
friend.
ooh, well, 1 was. about saying
you, with bountiful supply of the
good things of this world, gooC
health, and clear conscience-youl
eye tells of this last great possession
Alton - and unmarried too, yoI
ought not to look So"
"How2 l should like you to thinl
now, and speak just what you real
ly think" Alton Mayo said earn
estly.
"WelL you do not look i'll, nor i
il trouble or oare-woru expression
l hardly can explain, unless Well
to me you look careless of the worlC
and everything pertained to it; as
you would Just as left shuttle OF
| this mortal COLL"
''Do you mean that death prom
ises more to me than lifeI" Alto
interrupted, with a sweet, sad smile
''Pretty muck so. Now If, ik
/ Ned Austin, you were a widowe
with motherless children, to com
fort, could understand that look.
''Ned-ah, yes, poor fellow, Pr
sorry Tor him. But he will I'm
some one TO comfort him before
great while. know his nature s
well. lie must find some one I
love. He will marry again in
year" --
"And you, Alton?" asked WIliar
Kendall.
"Ihave been more truly Marie
for ten years; married in spirit
marriage that death cannot dissolve
"AltOn, do not understand yoI
Tell me. Dear old fellow, think {
the days past, and how we swore I
be partners, sharing everything "
had-apples, cake and marbles, joy
and SORROWS. Oh, AL, don't you r,
member the day you spent watcl
ing for me, to see whether Flor
Darnelle smiled on Dick Carson,
consequence of which MastC
Thornton, gave you such a thrasl
ingP You know you missed ever
lesson that day, just for me and n
love affair. Well, you knew 1 coul
not share that thrashing with yo
and so you made the best of it, d
claring it was not worth diYidin
as it was not more than ''taste (,
one" l wonder if the world, al
the eompanionship with the men
il, have not changed that natur
How often I've thought of yov