The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-12-01

lelsurely along enjoying the heavenly
GOODNESS and the breeze from the sea
At the further end Of the room Chat.
ty was at the piano, playing to me
softly in the dark as she knows | like
to be played to, and now and ther
striking into some old song such as
love. She was sure to arrive sooner OF
later at that one with which we now
had so many associations; but / was
not thinking Of that, nor for the mo.
ment Of Ellen or her faithful las I was
sure he was stilD lover at all. A wo-
man with so many children has always
plenty to think of. My mind was
busy with my own affairs. The win.
dows were open, and the babble Of the
voices outside -high-pitched, resound.
ing italian voices, not like the muir.
mur Of English-came in to us as the
music foated out. All at once, l sud.
denly woke up from my thinking and
my family concerns. In the dusk one
figure detached itself from among the
others with start and came forward
slowly with bent head and languid
step. Had he never heard that song
since he heard Ellen break off, choked
with tears unshed, and despair which
had never been revealed? He came
quite close under the window where |
could see him no longer could not
see him at all; it was too dark. di-
vined him. Who could it be but he ?
Not like John Ridgway, and yet John;
his ghost, as Chatty had said.
I did not stop to think what I was
to do, but rose up In the dark room
where the child was singing, only a
voice, herself invisible in the gloom.
| don't know wilrtkSr Chatty saw me
90; but. if so. she was inspired una
wares by the occasion. aud went on
with her song. ran downstairs and
went out softly to the open door of
the inn. where there were other peo-
pie standing about Then | saw him
quite plainly bv the light from a lower
window His head was slightly raised
towards the place from which the
song came. He was very pale IN that
pale, doubtful light, worn and old and
sad: but as he looked up a strange IL
Illumination was on his face His hand
beat the air softly, keeping time. As
she came to the refrain his lips began
to move as if he were repeating after
his old habit those words, II will come
again" Then a sudden cloud of pain
seemed to come over his face-he
shook his head family, then bowed it
upon his breast.
''In moment / had him by the
arm. John" said, in my excite
ment; "John Ridgway! we have found
you" For the moment, I believe. he
thought it was Ellen who had touched
him; his white face seened to leap
into light; then paled again. He took
off his hat with his old formal, some
what shy, politeness- 81 thought it
must be you, madame" he said. He
said madame" instead of the old Eng
lish ma am, which he had always used
this little concession to the changed
scene was all the difference. He made
no mystery about himself, and showed
no reluctance to come in with me, to
talk as Of old. He told me he had a
situation in an Office in Genoa, and
that his health was bad. ''After that
fasco in the Levant, [ had not much
heart for anything. I took the first
thing that was offered be said, with
his old vague smile; "for man must
live-till he dies ''There must be
no question of dying your age" |
cried. This time his smile almost
came the length Of a momentary
laugh. He shook his head, but he did
not continue the subject. He was
very silent for some time after In
deed, he said nothing, except in reply
to my questions, till Chatty left the
room, and we were alone Then all
at once, in the middle Of something I
was saying-''Is she-married again p
he said.
Married again"
1T is foolish question. She was
not married to me; but it felt much
the same; we had been as one for 81
long. There must have been some
strong inducement-to make her cast
me off so at the end. "
This h. sand in musing tone, as Il
the fact were 50 certain, and had been
turned over in his mind SO often thai
all excitement was gone from it. But
after it was sand, gieam Of anxiety
came into his haif-yeiied eyes, H.
raised his heavy, tired eyeiids anC
looked at me. Though he seemed &
know Ill about It, and TO be resigned
10 1t when he beGa ali to speak, Yet i
seemed 10 fash across hiut, before "a:
ended, that 5Iar" was an uuoertaiat'
an answer 10 come from me Wh.ci
would settle it. after all Then h
leaned forward little, III this sl,t;dei
sense of suspense, and put his ana &
his ear as if he had been deaf, an'
said "What?'' in an altered tone.
There is some terrible mistake"
said. Il have felt there was Il mistake
all along. She has lost her hold OF
life altogether because she believes yo'
to be changed -.
"Changedr' His voice was quit
sharp and keen, and had lost its Ian
. guild tone. "In what way-in wha
: way? how could | be changed?'
In the only way that could matte
between her and you. She thought
[ before you left the Levant, that yo'
, had cot to care for some one else
: that You had ceased to care for hel
Your letter." / said. your letter! =
half frightened by the way in whlcl
he rose, and his threatening, angr.,
, aspect-''would bear that interpreta
2 ton
my letter. He stood before m
Q for a moment with sort of feverisE
5 fierce energy; then he began to laugh
s low and bitterly, and walk about as
Y unable to keep still. MY letter!
4 The room was scarcely lighted on
e lamp upon the table, and no more