The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-16
AFTER LONG YEARS.

AFTER LONG YEARS.
"What is this, Burtg' =. r.e
"That is the mortgage of an estate
called the Derby Place, Mr.. Faxon, fore
closed more than a year, I believe
ssWell, it's what I've been looking for.
I will take charge Of the papers and at
tend to the matter soon. Down East,
isn't it," ~- .-.
Yes, sir" I'LL, .........
Mr.. Faxon put the papers into the
breast pocket Of his coat. came down the
Office stairs. and stepped into the gilt
tering, purple-Ened phaeton, beside his
wife. - I'LL. -. .. ., ~
"Golng away again tomorrow, dear9"
asked Mrs. Faxon, suddenly lifting her
fair countenance, as she interrupted her
husband. "You seem to be away all the
time lately. Take me with you.''
SHOT this time Violet.''
And Violet Faxon's husband fell into
a fit Of abstractien; from which the
smartest chatter failed to arouse him.
They came at last to the Faxon man.
sion, grand and simple, and fulfilling its
promise of beautiful interior:
Amid the white lace and crimson silk
OF her chamber, Violet was brushing out
her long, fair hair, when her husband
paused in the doorway, and looked at
her sharply. Then he came slowly
across the room, and lifting the oval face
in his hand, looked closely at the roseate
cheek, pearly ear and curved lashes.
"What is it," asked Violet, "a freck-
ie?''
"No, " he answered, smiling family
and strolllng across the chamber. "You
looked like my sister then-that was
ALL:
"Your sister, dear? You never told me
about her, said Violet.
"No,' he answered, and said no more.
Mr.. Faxon bore no resemblance to his
delicate, patrician wife. A little less
than thirty, dark, strongly built, active,
vigorous, he impressed one as a strong
character. If, with remarkably rich
comeliness of countenance, there were
some lines of dissipation, there was also
a certain evidence of strong good sense
and look of deep experience. 80
He was up and away at daybreak the
next morning. An early train bore him
eastward, and nine o'clock found him
landed at a little station called Sea-
brock. s-.ag .'--g. s@tar,." ~ ~. =.
The dismal little building was set IN
a field of clover, around which road
wound away among the mounds of YER
dure. - ...a..- ...' -.. 81.
After glance around, Mr.. Faxon took
his road and walked slowly along. The
robins hoped across it, the bobolinks
sang in the trees over it. The unassum-
ing white clover among the grass perfum-
ed the morning air.
He passed only few houses, but he
observed them attentively. They were
all old and humble farmhouses. Appar-
entity this property which had by the fore
closure Of a mortgage, fallen to MI. Fax
on, was not situated in a very rich or en-
terprising neighborhood. ,...
When he had walked nearly mile,
he came to green dooryard, among
VIDE spread apple trees, with we'll
sweep among them, and residence
though plain, more pretentious and. COM
Portable than the others.
There was q narrow well-woln path
among the short grass and buttercups to
the porch, where bitter sweet twined
its strong arms. In the corner under the
verdure, was an armchair, both a book
and cane lying across it-a gnarled, twist
ed cane of hickory, that Faxon looked
twice at. The book he saw was the BIZ
bic. NJ
There was an old lady with a sweet,
face, and snowy cap strings, tied under
her double chin, knitting at a window
near by, but his quiet step had not dis
turbed her. -"...- .s..4
He had put his hand to the knocker;
he took it down again as he caught sight
of the placid face. He stood there quite
still for several minutes. A gray cat
came and rubbed against his leg. Some
apple blossoms f1oated down, touched his
cheek. E..aGss.-a
At length the gentle lips moved.
Father, you had best lie down and
take rest,' said the mild old lady.
'Such old people and I have come to
take their home away" SAID Mr.. Faxon.
There was strong pain in his dark
face now, as he stood looking at the
porch floor.
After moment he STEPPED off the porch,
Ou luC AOA GACA SASCs anO "dAhCN away I'LL
der the apple trees.
When Mr.. Faxon came back from his
brief stroll, his presence, as he crossed
the yard, was observed. -&
A white haired old man, who had just
come to the open door and taken up the
staff, turned back hastily, with a few
hurried words, and the aged woman then
dropped her knitting and arose, with a
paleness coming over her face.
But, while Mr.. Faxon hesitated on the
porch again, both came to the door. Sad,
startled faces they both had, but they
were civil. Their greeting was kindly,
as to friend.
5 ssMy name is Fa1on," said the visitor.
~ am,
.sW, know who you he, sir,n said the
old 1--WE know who you be, though
we never seed you before. Will you not
come 1n7''
Mr.. Faxon stepped across the white
hall floor into the quaint, cool and COM
Portable sitting room.