The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-08-13
Select Story.
AFTER LONG YEARS.

What is this Bur?
That is the mortgage of an estate
called the Derby Place, Mr.. i'aXon, fore
closed more than n year, believe
Wcll, 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.
Mr. Faxon put the papers into the
breast t-pocllet of his coat, came down the
office stairs stepped into the glittering,
purple-lincd phHton, beside his wife.
The delicate Arabian, Mrs. FaXon' :
horse, sped away out of the city confines,
and soon tossed his jetty manc along the
open roads, lined with gardens, ornate
cottages and villas
Going away again tomorrow. dear
asked Mrs FaNon, suddenly lifting her
fair countcnance. as she interrupted her
husband You seem to be away all the
time lately. Take me with you.
Not this time, Violet
And Violet l'aXon's husband fell in to
fit of abstraction, from which the
smartcst chatter failed to arouse him.
They came at last to the FaXon man
sion, grand and simple, and fulfilling the
promise of beautiful interior.
Amid the white lace and crimson sill,
of her chamber, Violet was brushing ont
her long, fair hair, when her husband
paused in the doorway, and looked at
her sharply. Then he came slowly across
the room. and looked closely at the rose
ate cheek, pearly ear and curved lashes
What is it, asked Niolet--'a freckle?
No, he answered, smiling family an,
strolIing across the chamber. Hou look
ed like my sister then-that was all
Your sister, dear You never tol,
me about her?' said Violet.
No, he answered, and said no more.
Mr.. FaXon bore no resemblance to hi
delicate patrlcan wife. a little less thai
thity-dark, strongly built, active, vic
orous, he impressed one as Il strong chai
meter. If, with a remarkably ric
comelinesS of countenancc, there wa
also certain evidence of strong GOO
sense and look of deep experiences
Mr.. FaXon looked like Il man who cal
ricd weight.
lie was up and away at daybreak tn
next morning. An early train bore hin
eastward and nine o'clock found hin
landed at little station called Set
brook
The dismal little building was set in
field of clover, around which a roa
wound away among the mounds of vel
dure.
After a glance around, Mr.. FaNon too
this road, and walked slowly along. Th
robins hoped across it; the bobolink
sang in the trees over il. The unasSun
ing white clover among the grass pc
fumed the cool morning air
lie passed only IA few houses. but i
observed them attcntively. They wcl
all old and humble farm houses. Apps
rently, this property which had, by I'll
foreclosure of Il mortgage, fallen to NJ
FaXon, was not situate in Il very rich {
entcrprising neighborhood,
When he had walked nearly mil
he came to green dooryard, anon
widespread apple trees, with n well-swec
among them, and residence, thong
plain, more pretentiouS and comfortab
than the others.
There was n narrow, Wcll-WOl
path among the short grass and butte
cups to the porch, where bitter swc
twined its strong arms. In corner. u
der the verdurc. was an arm chair, wi
Il book on the seat, and Il cane lyir
across it-a gnarled, twisted stick
hickory, that Mr.. FaXon looked twice ;
The book he saw was a Bible.
There was an old lady, with swe'
faded face, and snowy cap strings III
under her double chin, knitting at wi
dow near by, but his quiet step had II
disturbed her,
lie had put his hand to the lnocke
he took it down again as he caught SIC
of his pallid face. lie stood there qu
still for several minutes A gray {
came and rubbed against his leg. Sol
applc-blossoms, floating down, touch
his cheek.
At length the gentle lips moved,
Father, said the mild old lady, "
had best lie down and take a rest
Such old people, and have come
take their home away, said Mr. Fax,
There was strong pain in his di
face now as he stood looking down
the porch floor
After moment, he stepped off
porch, on the further side, and wall
away under the apple trees
When MIR, FaXOn came back from
brief stroll, his presence, as he eros
the yard, was observed,
A white-haired old man, who
come to the open door and taken up
hickory stick, turned back hastily, "