Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-06-03
CHAPTER VI.
HUSBAND, WIFE AND pATGHTrR.

CHAPTER VI.
HUSBAND, WIFE AND pAcGHTER.
Mr.. Horace Remington faced The
keen December air courageouSly. per-
hapS, for convaleScent, .nr he but
toned up the folds OF his :.reat coat
close to his throat and pushvi his seal.
skin muller we'll over his ars, as he
walked with quick. inpatient tread
along the rough, irregular path.
The ground was well frozen. ard in
crustations Of ice buged up iere and
there in irregular hill-like heaps, but
he did not seem to notice this With
eyes cast upon the darkness before
him, Mr. Remington moved along, as if
in a deep reverie.
On and on he went until he reached
the crossroads, at the intersection of
which stood Squire Grimes's neat white
cottage, where he had passed so many
weary hours on sick bed. lie dlI
not, however, halt here, as he had
told Richard Martin he should, but
passed on, to the left. taking a dark
rocky road. He quickened his pace,
pausing frequently to look about, as
If expecting to discern, even in the
darkness, the course he was taking.
At last, before shelving rock he
halted.
"Well," he muttered, grimly, 81
should not wonder if were lost. |
can see no light, and it is yet too
early for the moon. Here l am facing
huge rock, black as pitch. Yet am
sure heard old Grimes say something
about the road to the left leading to
their home, and have taken the road
to the left There is no way of getting
to the place except by my own effort
for it will not do to tell anyone the
mission l am on, and, again, | may be
mistaken"
"Mr. Remington searched about for
some minutes, going forward, then re-
halted. Suddenly he paused and list
ened.
In the quiet of the night, borne by
the invisible air, came floating sounds
Of melody, q sweet, clear voice it was,
and its every note indicated a depth of
feeling bubbling to the surface.
The listener was enwrapt by the
notes of the songstress, and moved not
again until the last note had died
away. Then, with deep sigh, he
muttered:
"'Home, Sweet Home' Again that
song guides me to the haven l am seek
ing. I can find my way now"
He turned about and went to the
south. and in moment found himself
in . narrow pathway, beside d sort of
rocky hill, at the end Of which he saw
atiny light. As he reached that light
the singing which had guided him re-
commenced. At its termination, he
knocked loudly upon the door before
him.
The summons was almost immedi-
ately answered by the appearance of
Nellie Remington on the threshold.
"Who's there?" she asked, holding
lamp above her head.
"A friend whom you have not seen
for long time, answered the man.
The rays from the lamp fell upon his
features as he spoke, for he had pur-
posely let fall his muffler and had
loosened his collar.
Nellie gave . short cry Of alarm and
':sPpsd 1o back s.1 re. B:1 :st ed II.
tone. As he spoke, he crossed the
threshold and closed the door.
"No. ! do not fear you;'' replied the
young girl, with white cheeks, "bpt
R 7sS d S,a yen come her'P We thought
81 was, almost, but an all-wise
grave. Why, l know not. Is Me
6ere?" he asked, abruptly. WV
Eyes, in there"
Nellie pointed toward the adjoining
room.
''In what condition."
Sec for yourself" was the reply.
The man stood q moment, looking at
the beautiful creature before him, and
the tears started to his eyes. But he
suppressed them and, bidding her pre-
cede him, followed her into the apart
ment indicated.
Mrs. Remington sat by the window,
looking absently out into the black
darkness.
'She turned her gaze upon the new
conner IS he entered the room.
"horace!" she exclaimed. "You
Her face paled and flushed alter
nately.
Eyes, Martha, we meet once again :"
returned the gray-haired man, calmly.
After four years separation, we meet
face to face again. Ie is an unexpected,
perhaps startling meeting, but never
the!ess am here. You do not ask me
to be seated; therefore I judge the
meeting is unwelcome. am sorry"
Nellie promptly brought forward q
broken cane chair.
You are mistaken, I think" she
said; sat least I am not sorry you are
here. To me it is . privilege to see
you once again, even though it is in
Mr.. Remington seated himself with.
\ out uttering : word.
"And in token of welcome p;vs von
this"
She stopped and kissed him upon the
cheek, stroking his hair Is she did so.
"You are welcome, I suppose, sir"
SAID Mrs. Remington, abruptly, and
her eyes glittered spitefully. "But
If Nellie isfoolish enough to sentiment
name Of heaven did You lind us out?"
BY IN accident some would say, I
presume, Marthe," replied Mr.. Rem
if1gt0n: gently; "but I attribute it to
"And 1 attribute it to . h;eber
power, father" said Nellie. ,e.1 Mes
over his chair. s'Speak. let us heas
what you have to say-let us kn"v
how you have BEEN"
Mr.. Remington shook his head.
"No," he said, 81 would prefer to
stance Of your coming here came about.
Why did you leave Hartford so sud.
"Ah, father that is easily explained,
Mother took one of her strange f;ts
while You were out of town, and in.
sisted upon taking trip to the coun.
try. ] objected0she insisted. and
finally, l consented. Strange to saw
after we arrived 1t our destination
mother refused to allow me to commu,
nicate with you, saying that she had
left you forever. Do what l would I
could not dissuade her from her in sane