The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-10-20

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then there was another thing: Ralph
was coming home Captain-Captain
Ralph Anderson!
Ben said ..pshawr' when she said
the name over with its new title, but a
faint color crept into his bronzed face,
and a sudden light famed in his grave
eyes
do you think we have changed
much, BENZ she asked, a little anx-
iously. "Imean so as to look strange
to him"
You haven't. Myra. You look as
fresh as a girl, despite your forty-five
years" he said. looking earnestly into
the bright excited face, which flushed
Ike girls at the words of praise.
The lovely October air came in at the
open door and lifted the iron-gray hair
of Ben Anderson. and crept with a lit
tie SILVER of delight through the fra
grant geranium leaves in the window,
and Just touched, with careful fingers,
the scented petals of the great creamy
and pink roses on the manteL Blanche
Arnold had sent those over tina. morn
ing from her fathers conservatory.
October day before?
"where through q sapphire sea the sun
Sailed like a golden galleon!"
All the long line of family indulating
hills were Graded in golden mists. Far
away the river glowed like pale opal,
and the city roofs and spires were faint
ly visible against the far-off amber blue
skies.
At Just twelve clock our old friend
Ned Bradlee drove up to Ben Ander-
sons door with a pretty bran new bug
gy. bought especially for the occasion.
and lovely little span of chestnut colts
driven tandem.
II think. perhaps, had better intro
duce YOU to Ned, for have no idea you
would know him if didn't. The lank,
light hair has been cropped and
brushed up over his ease, Gnstead of
straight behind them, as formerly. and
something-perhaps a change in eli
mate-has changed the color from q
pale sand color TO a very lovely auburn
brown. The face is as fresh and fair as
it was eight years ago. and YOU look in
vain for single place where the '.pen-
Gil of Time" has made so much as a
single comma. He is little stouter.
and. TO tell the truth. little handsomer.
He is dressed, too, l doubt if ever the
sun reflected in a glossier beaver. or a
more brilliant pair of boots; and Imost
know there was never such loves of
trousers sported even on Broadway.
Now, please don't guess that there was
"a woman in the case" because by
and by, when 1 get an opportunity, l
want TO tell YOU about it. and nothing in
the world veNeS me so as TO find myself
forestalled when l am intending to tell
secret.
Ned Bradlee had begged the oppor-
tunity of driving to the depot to meet
Ralph. and Ben Anderson had con-
scented. partly TO please his old friend.
and partly because he didn't care to
have stranger eyes looking on when he
met his boy.
well. declare, Mrs. Anderson, You
don't look more'n sixteen, and your
checks are like phys" he cried, max
ing an awkward attempt to raise his
beaver. as she came to the door, What
,rM the Capting say?'
"You won't stop to talk, will You.
Ned, but drive right home as soon as the
train gets in?" she said. eagerly, with
out noticing his salutation save by a
heightened color.
I'm be back by half-past one if the
world stands: have nice lot of dinner,
COS you mGy have company: there no
KNOWN ANY wants in town.
mo. nor
He made feint of laughing st her
eager Impotence. but his voice had an
odd. husky sound in it, altogether IN
usual.
How slow the hands mc7ed over the
dali How many times, even before one
o clock, she went and stood in the south
door. and looked of over the long
prairie road. shading her eyes with her
hand, and smiling softly TO herself. And
when st last, FIVE minutes before the
time, through the faint cloud of dust
she saw light carriage, with pair of
horses tandem. and saw there We're tIc0
in it. how wildly her heart beat, And
then her eyes grew suddenly misty.
There was little whirl of swift wheels,
and like one in bEssful dream. she saw
a form spring to the ground, and
more and she was crying in the
arms of tall. broad-chested. handsome
man, who kissed her over and over.
while at the same moment he shook
hands with his father, and laughed hap
PLY, despite the tears in his handsome
blue ewes.
Ell I'd thought you would feel so
sorry. and take on so, Mrs. Anderson,
I'll be darned ef I'd brought the Capting
here at air. Ned exclaimed. blowing
his nose vigorously.
The same silly old dog" Ralph
said, laughing. Mother. what has
come over Ned? He looks as if he had
been made over new. I'll bet he's got
a girl
To Ralph's surprise the rudy face
grew several shades deeper. What"
he cried. did that shot hit?''
Never you mind, Capting." Ned re-
piled. irving to look at ease. but still
blushing ike an Indian summer sun
set
Then l-e dinner was served-and
such dinner as it was. There was the
incest of salmon trout, which Ben An
derson had rode 60 the city before
sunrise to get; and chicken in pies, and
stews, and roasts; and just the loveliest
little PIC, roasted whole, living on his
side IN great white platter with a
bright blue ed re, and looking ready to
burst with happiness and pride that he,
Of all his mothers little snow-white,
pink-nosed children. should have the
honor to be eaten on this great oc-
casion- And then the grayies and
sauces and vegetables And then.
again. the pies and puddings-why. if
were 20 tell them all il would take me
half q day. Only this will say: don't
believe there was ever before such a
wonderful dinner, or ever quite such a
happy, happy party as sat before it