The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-01-20
lFrom Macmillan's Magazine.l
THE STORY OF YVES.
CHAPTER XII.
''GONE AWAY"

'GONE AWAY"
Mr.. Smith did not tell Eileen any
thing of what had happened until hs
knew that Yves was far away.
At breakfast time she had wondered
at her lovers absence, and her father
accounted for it by saying that he was
engaged on important business, which
would detain him for some hours. Sc
Eileen went futtering between the
parlor and the shop, anxious and i'm
patient for his return.
But just when he knew Yves would
be departing, her father called Eileen
into the parlor to help him with some
accounts. Every now and then the
girl became conscious of the serious
ness that was gaining on her, and then
she burst into bright laugh to get
rid Of the unnatural pressure.
''How grave you are, father! she
said.
Mr.. Smith only shook his head re-
provingly. Accounts are serious
things" he said, and bent down over
his papers.
But when dinner-time came, and
still no Yves, Eileen grew sad and list
less. Spite Of her pre-occupatlon, she
began to see that her fathers manner
was unusual.
He scarcely spoke, and once he an
swered Bird get SO sharply that the old
woman looked aghast and muttered to
herself. At last he pushed his plate
away, and Eileen saw that he had not
eaten anything.
"This dinner is badly cooked-not
fit to eat" he said impatiently; he
stretched out his hand for the bottle,
and poured himself out second glass
of whisky, an indulgence so unusual
that Eileen looked on in amazement
He saw the look, and pushing his
glass away, he went upstairs.
He was almost beside himself. His
anger against Yves had soon burnt
out in his intense fear for his child;
he knew how fondly she loved the
young Breton; how was he to tell her?
At last he went down again; he had
a vague hope she might have gone
out; but she sat waiting for him with
very earnest look on her sweet face.
Father" she said, sit down here" !"
she patted the sofa on which she sat.
''You are keeping something from me
4 am sure you are. Something has
happened that do not know. Where
is Yves? Bridget will not answer
when | ask her. Where is Yves,
father?"
The question was relief. He must
tell her now, and she had shown him
how to begin his dreadful tidings.
''Yves has gone away, my darling"
He put his arm round her while he
spoke, but he leaned back so as not to
see her face; he could not bear to look
at the agony which he knew he must
bring there.
'Gone away!' In an instant she
had turned round; and now she start
ed up, faced him, and put hand ON
each shoulder as if she feared he would
escape her; then, after a stupefed
pause, words came back to her.
Father, father, what do you mean?"
she said, in a high, imperious voice,
and she shook him in her vehemence.
HE is gone, but he is coming back
of course he is coming back-you
know it as we'll as [ do!''
The poor father had not counted on
this violence. After the fashion in
which we are apt to plan the probable
conduct of others, and waste imagina-
ton in preparing ourselves to meet
that which never happens, he had ex-
pected despair and floods of tears.
His Eileen had always been so gentle
that this mood was unexpected; he
looked at her in wonder; he could not
tell how to answer, and she shook his
shoulders again in her anger.
"Tell me what has happened. You
shall tell me at once what you have
done with him. All! you have sent
him away. Cruel-wicked fatherr'
Her wild eyes frightened him; he
tried to soothe her.
Hush, hush, machree! sit down be-
side mer' he pulled her on to the sofa
and stroked her head softly. Il can
tell .ye nothin' while ye're so put about;
ye must quiet yourself, Eileen"
She clasped her hands in her lap,
and pressed her lips together.
Look at mel am quiet; but, faith
er, l have been waiting hours, don't
keep me a minute longer in suspense
Her imploring eyes seemed to force
the words from him. He had thought
to tell her the truth little by little
| but he felt that he must not hide il