The National tribune., 1881-12-03

to prepare for his departure. And after all the
money that 1 have spent on him tool" continued
the old man in a regretful tone. L only wish I
had it all back again!"
No wish for the return of him who was the sole
pledge of her who, now wrapped in the slumber
of death, had once, perchance, been rs much to
him as his now so greedily boarded gold.
The Squire quickly, however, recovered the
appearance at least of equanimlty. He abruptly
changed the subject; and for the next two hours,
we devoted ourselves to the dry details OF busi-
ness watched him curiously, for the betrayal
of any signs of feeling; but apparently, all was
dead within him. His attention to the subject
we were discussing was closer than mine; for L
was feeling saddened and shaken by the scene
that had witnessed and been powerless to pre-
vent. Almost unconscously, was cogitating in
my mind plan for the reconciliation of father
and son, when the Squire brought our discussion
to sudden end. "There!" he cried, thrusting
away from him paper relating to one OF his
farm leases; "upon those terms / will grant a
renewal of the lease; and if there is any objec-
tion to the increased rent, shall have no diff
Guilty in finding others who will accept my con-
ditions"
Feeling that the interview was at an end l rose,
and began putting on my gloves. Suddenly, the
sound of wheels in the front of the house made
the Squire turn to the window. My eyes fol-
lowed the direction of his and, as he held himself
back, l saw that it was Tom in the dogcart, at
the back of which were placed big portmanteau
and railway-rug A large and tavorite retriever
rushed out to follow him, and began barking and
fbo baoJ
down from his seat, and, affectionately patting
the animals head, called to the groom to take
him back to his kennel. The man having done
so, returned; and then, with gentle flick of the
whip, the mare started forward down the long
elm -flanked drive that fronted the hall and still
the old man stood watching the retreating figures.
After about quarter of mile there was bend
in the avenue. As Tom reached it, he turned
his face for last look at the old rOof-tree that
had sheltered his ancestors for SO many bygone
generations. The last rays of the setting
played through the tall branches of the trees,
and, as the discarded heir disappeared from view,
the bright rays faded, and tke cold wintry wind,
with melancholy whistling sough, caught the
last leaves of the dying autumn, and sent them
rustling and whirling to the ground.
Did no tender feeling awake within the fathers
breast as his boy-his only child-went from his
sight? Was it fancy; Or did the cold gray eyes
glisten with strange, unwonted emotion, as the
sound Of the distant wheels died ON our ears?
"He will come back-and obedient to my
wishes" murmered the now childless father in
low and slightly husky voice. 1t seemed to me
that the words were uttered more as set-off of
bravado for the Temporary softening influence
saat 4.s .5 over ,-el- u..- '-7 'o"''""
he ..a W..a III ac-5 ard a-s uo..-.uly
vaaa.E .-y way 4ame~ara- frem The Silent
aea. aau aa.. f7ovgn -as sasA vsH very
aar ha -#a gat an- ~
an. .ar. er. l.es- s..s l-rk s9,r ..seaf--s.