Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-05-20

Five answered Henry Maclane
Mrs. Ellis proceeded immediatel
to the business in hand Il will shov
you the upper stories if you like t,
look
As they left the parlors, chill,
entered from the rear, exclaiming
Mamma |!
Come to me, Hal, said the fai
lady, laying OBTAINING hand on tbt
child.
| Henry Maclane followed his lead
er, looking back at the tableau of The
sweet womanly face against which
the child's curly head rested. Il
was a pretty picture but it gave
aim pain, for the child's name sug
gested again that possibility of sweet
remembrance and vain regret.
Mrs. Ellis enumerated the good
points of the house with the volubii.
ty of house agent, and Henry Mac
lane appeared to follow, but bis
thoughts were with the fair woman
in the parlor below.
1T is strange we never met until
today he said, somewhat irrelev.
antly, as Mrs. Ellis's last remark was
about. communicating rooms.
sYou see, we went to Europe when
you went for soldier replied Mrs.
Ellis. 4 was there until the war was
over. Rely remained some years
longer. When we came back to
Baltimore, your family had moved to
New York, and we lost sight of you
all. 1t was very dismal coming back
to strangers and many changes. /
soon found comfort in my engage
ment to Mr.. Ellis, and Reby went
back to Europe. She wants to go
again, but we are trying to keep her
here
is her husband there p asked
Henry Maclane.
Husband ?-Reby's husband p &c.
hoed Mrs. Ellis. SHE has never mar
ried. Did you notice your namesake,
my little boy?'
Henry Maclane made movement
to descend the stairs.
Hadn't you better see the rear
room ? asked Mrs. Ellis.
No matter. l will send Mrs. Mac.
lane,' he replied, carelessIy.
Truth to tell, he was inclined to
go down the stairs with bound.
His sister-in-la VS. conclusions had
not been wide Of the mark. No wom-
an had ever been to him what this
woman with the sunny hair and fair
face had beep,bu be was a shy man.
and had simply lost his chance. He
went to battle with only a request
tor one golden lock from the fair
head, and she was too proud q wom-
an to give more than was asked.
Then they drifted far apart, as lives
often do that have touched each 9th.
err with strong points of contact.
Once Henry Maclane sent a letter OF
reconnaissance to his old friend.
Perhaps it may be like the dove
sent out from the ark, he thought,
and may bring me soma olive branch
OF remembrance; but it was like the
dove that never returned. He always
thought of her now as blessing some
home with her loving presence, and
lost to him forever. To find her un-
claimed and untrammelled he had
hardly dared to hope.
lie 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 herself she was saying, sThe man
might have married Rely once, but
he shall not fiirt with her now
Il am glad to find Reby un-
changed said Henry Maclane in re-
spouse.
Mrs. Ellis replied, brusquely: SHE
is wonderfully changed to me. Ten
years have brought great strength
and goodness to Reby. She is not q
woman to tolerate nonsense of any
kind
She justified her brusque speech
with the mental comment: "a man
with a wife and FIVE children has no
business to stand there with undis-
guised admiration on his face, and
congratulate himself on finding Reby
unchanged. It's trying ordeal to
her,and would shorten it If | could.
Her remark brought the color to
Reby's face, and Henry Maclane
looked annoyed. Il don't UNDER
stand he began.
Mrs. Ellis interrupted him. you
will bring Mrs. Maclane when you
come again p
Possibly her husband will be free
10 come with her. was the quiet re
Spouse.
Husband Are you not Mrs. Mae
lanes husband p asked Mrs. Ellis,
wonderingly.
me? Oh no! My brother JOSH
ia is Mrs. Maclane's husband re-
piled Henry Maclane, with smile.
And father of the FIVE children p
continued Mrs. Ellis.
Father of the Eve children, ECHOED
Henry Maclane.
And haven't you any wife p asked
Mrs. Ellis, curiously.
! The Bible says, "A good wife is
fromsthe Lord replied Henry Mac
lane gravely. He has never given
me such blessing
| Mrs. Ellis's eyes twinkled
| 4 could give you Bible quota.
ton that might help you,' she said,
denurely; but warning glance
from Reby stopped her, just as a Wis.
itor was announced.
You will come to see us soon p
said Mrs. Ellis, as Henry Maclane
rose TO leave.
Can | come ibis EVENING" be
asked.
| Certainly replied Mrs. Ellis. 81
is well to get a gas.light view Of
things you are interested 10 buying
When the door shut, Mrs. Eli:
turned to Reby, apparently much in.
terested in the visitors card. sDc
you know what | was about to
quote ASK, and it shall be giyer
you.''
/ sOb, Sue!' demonstrated the shrink
ing woman. Don't toss me to an,
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