Morris tribune., 1881-08-18

cottage, and came out into the midst of the
gloomy, freezing cold, wistful, anxious
look on her white face. Putting her thin,
childish hand to her mouth, she called
"Bennie! Bennie."
Presently there came an answer:
Yes, I am comm moiher!'
And simultaneously with the answer, a
sturdy little fgure appeared upon the sum-
NIT of an icy knoll.
"Ah, Bonnie! have been so anxious
and you are so cold!"
Not a bit; but tooka longer tramp than
usual. But only see the faggots; they're
as clear and rich as butter!" and the sturdy
little figure advanced, drawing after him a
small sled heaped with pine knots.
The woman's wan, moonlight face lit up
to absolute radiance; and a tenderness
that was touching, beamed from her great,
blue-gray eyes, as they rested on the boy
"a stalwart, sturdy little fellow, robed and
wrapped like an Esquimaux, with white
hair, and an honest, manly face. Ben
Chudleigh's own boy!
When they had crossed the threshold,
she kissed him, parting the faxen locks
on his brow. The lad blushed like q girl
his sled, and heaping the fire with fag-
gots.
There, now, mother" he said, as the
ruddy blaze shot up the broad chimney,
isn't that nice? Now you shall sit down
and get real warm, and I'll make the tea;
I'm such a strong fellow never get tired ;"
Benny threw on fresh fagg OTIS, and got
out his Illuminated primer to amuse him
self, while his mother did her sewing; but
somehow the bright pictures failed in their
usual interest. His ears were full of the seas
wild sobbing, and his blue eyes-bolo, kind
eyes, SO like his fathers wandered furtiye-
ly to his mother face.
A lovely face, fair and refined; face
that, in its early bloom, when all its rare
colors were unfaded, and all that super
abundant gold-brown hair was in its glory,
must have been wondrously beautiful
But now ali! SO indescribably sad, so full
of an undying remorse.
The lads eyes filed with childhood's
quick tears as he watched her, and his face
grew solemn with vague, doubtful won
der.
Mother" he said at last, just the least
culver in his voice, mother, was it all
right between you and father when he went
away? I've wanted to know SO long"
The mother looked up, startled and
amazed; swift, burning red shot up into
her white cheeks, and then she let her
head drop forward on the sewing stand ;and
burst into passionate sobbing. The child
grew pale with fright and pain.
ooh, mother! POOR, dear mother" he
whispered. going to her side, ami dropping
kisses and caressing touches on her bowed
head. Il am SO sorry! I didn't think it
would hurt you SOL
She Grew him to her bosom in silence,
and still sobbing. His childish questions
had cut her heart like knife. "Was it all
right with her and father when he went
away?" All, no! it was all wrong; and now,
God pity her! it was too late ever to make
it righ-the cruel wrong must live through
all time, and eternity, perhaps!
How wildly, sitting there in the CHASTITY
that last parting, three weary years ago!
Bonnie was but q wee lad, then, and his
father, who had followed the sea all his
life, was starting on long voyage. He
wanted paper Of some importance. a prom
issory note, or something Of the kind, and
came to his wife for it.
Berenice, his pretty girl-wife, had taken
care of all his papers and all his money
since the first day Of their happy marriage,
he being great, careless, loving, frey
hearted fellow, as sailors usually are. But
Berenice was quite busy that morning get
ting his outfit In readiness; and the March
winds clustered down the cottage chimney.
and pulled the smoke and ashes about. and
put her out of humor; and, perhaps, for all
her sweet child ways and rare beauty, this
petted wife of Ben. Chudleigh was bit
impatient and quick temrered by nature,
or because Of too much petting and indulg-
ence, as is oftener the case. At any rate,
after hasty search for the note, she de-
clared that it could not be found and that
it had not been intrusted to her keeping.
Ben. opened his handsome blue eyes in
amazement.
why, Berenice," he said, not bit Cross,
only decidedly, syou know / gaveit to you,
always give you things wish taken care
Of"
"A foolish habit, too, @retorted Berenice,
spitefully, why not take care Of them
I