Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-06-04

OF Ihe mousse With the YOlubility Of a
house agent, and Henry Maclane ape
peared b follow, but his thoughts we're
with the fair woman in the parlor be-
low.
cit lB strange we never met until to-
day." he said, somewhat irreverently,
rs Mrs. Ellis's last remark was about
communicating rooms.
"1ou see We went 10 Europe when
you went for SOLDIER" replied Mrs.
Ellis. " was there until the war was
over. Reby remained some years
longer. When we came back 10 Bali-
more, your family had moved 10 New
York, and we lost sight Of you all. It
was very dismal coming back 10 strany
gers and many changes. soon found
comfort in my engagement 10 Mr.. Ellis,
and Reby went back to Europe. She
wants TO 60 again, but we are trying TO
keep her here"
els her husband therepn asked Henry
Maclane.
"HusbandP-Reby's husband2" echo
ed Mrs. Ellis. " She has never married .
Did you notice your namesake, my little
boyP"
Henry Maclane made a movement TO
descend the stairs.
Hadn't you better see the rear
roomP" asked Mrs. Ellis.
No matter. will send Mrs. Mac
lane" he replied, carelessly.
Truth TO tell, he was inclined 10 90
down the stairs with a bound. His
sister-in-law's conclusions had not been
wide of the mark. No woman had ever
hnnr1 fr hin, vrvbaN Nk3. r,r,,,,,g, ,.rsNI,
sunny hair and fair face had been, but
he was shy man, and had simply lost
his chance. He went to battle with only
a request for one golden lock from the
fair head, and she was too proud a
woman to give more than was asked.
Then they drifted far apart, as lives
often do that have touched each other
with strong points of contact. Once
Henry Maclane sent letter of recon-
noissance to his old friend. "Perhaps
it may be like the dove sent out from
the ark" he thought, and may bring
me some olive-branch of remembrance;
but it was like the dove that never re-
turned. He always thought of her now
as blessing some home with her loving
presence, and lost to him forever. To
find her unclaimed and untrammelled
he mad hardly dared to hope.
He was soon in the parlor, and by
Reby's side.
"Tell Mrs. Maclane we would like
her decision as soon as possible" said
Mrs. Ellis, somewhat sharply. To her
self she was saying, "The man might
have married Reby once, but he shall
not flirt with her now"
81 am glad to find Reby un-
changed" said Henry Maclane in re-
sponse.
Mrs. Ellis replied, brusquely: "She
is wonderfully changed to me- The
years have brought great strength and
goodness to Reby. She is not a
woman to tolerate nonsense of any
kind"
She justified her brusque speech with
the mental comment: ga man with a
wife and five children has no business
to stand there with undisguised admira-
ton on his face, and congratulate him
self on finding Reby unchanged It's a
trying ordeal to her, and would short
en- it if could"
Her remark brought the color to
Reby's face, and Henry Maclane looked
annoyed. al don't understand" he
began.
Mrs. Ellis interrupted him. "You
will bring Mrs. Maclane when you come
againP"
"Possibly her husband will be free to
come with her," was the quiet response.
Husband! Are you not Mrs. Mac
lanes Ausband?" asked Mrs. Ellis, Won
deringly.
"MeP Oh no! My brother Joshua
is Mrs. Maclane's husband" replied
Henry Maclane, with a smile.
"Aud father of the five childrenP P"
continued Mrs. Ellis.
"Father of the five children echoed
Henry Maclane.
"And haven't you any wifeP" asked
Mrs. Ellis, curiously.
"The Bible says, "a good wife is
from the Lord" replied Henry Mac
lane, gravely. "He has never given
me such blessing"
Mrs. Ellis's eyes twinkled.
" 1 could give you a Bible quotation
that might help you," she said, demure-
ly; but warning glance from Reby
stopped her, just as visitor was an
nounced.
You will come to see Us soonPn said
Mrs. Ellis, as Henry Maclane arose to
leave.
"Can l come this eveningP" he asked.
Certainly, replied Mrs. Ellis. "It
is well to get a gas-light view of things
you are interested in buying"
When the door shut, Mrs. Ellis turned
to Reby, apparently much interested in
the VISITORS card. "Do you know
what l was about to quoteP ASK, and
it shall be given you"
"Oh, SueIn demonstrated the shrink
ing woman. "Don't toss me to any
man, as if were ball to be picked up,
or let alone, as suits his pleasure"
At the dinner table Mrs. Maclane
turned eagerly to her brother-in-law
with the question, "How do you like
house-huntingP"