Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-09-16

though he always called up smile
when | spoke, and made an effort 70
| appear interested.
Once or twice / asked him what was
wrong, but he merely said, Moth
ing, dear; | am right enough ~ So
that | was forced to be content.
But in the evening, when | read
to him, as | was in the habit OF do
ing, | missed his laugh at the
touches Of humor or quaintness, and
knew that his thoughts were else
where
| laid the book down at last, and
going to his side, passed my hand
over his dark hair.
Philip, dear, tell me what trou-
bles you. May not your old mother
know 2"
He shook off my hand, and ans
wered impatiently:
"Must l always be talking, moth
er? Must L be i'll or something be-
cause I'm silent ? What a fidgety
little mother you are ~
| sat down again and took up the
book, but had no heart to go on
with the story. There was little
more said until bedtime, but when /
said good night to Phil he kissed me
tenderly.
"Your eyes are wet, mother You
have been crying because | let off
my i'll humor on you !"
AS much for your reserve as for
your Impotence, dear. Be open
with me darling ~
| followed him into the darkness
of his room, for he never had a light
there, and stood holding his hand,
unable even to make out the outline
of his form, waiting for his conf
dence.
"Why must / grieye you, NUNS ?"
he said at last. ''It is only the old
pain, and l did not want TO tell you,
for it seems like a reproach. Oh I!
mother, mother !" and a sigh, that
was almost groan, tore its way
from his breast, II think | never
felt what it was to be blind till nowl
1t is death in life There-forgive
me- / know that [ am cutting
you to the heart! | can feel you
shrink and tremble. Go to bed, and
let me fight it out alone !"
"Oh, Philip | thought you had
learnt resignation [ wish you had
left me to die that night in the fire,
for then you would have had only a
pain to bear that time softens for
everyone !"
His hand was on my lips almost
before the sentence was ended.
"Hush ! Never say that, mother.
We have been very happy, we two,
for nearly four years. / shall
never be open with you again
if it makes you talk like that.
Let us go away to the sea as soon as
ever we can; the sea breeZes will
blow away my gloomy moods. There F!
| am myself again. Good night"
He led me to the door, and before
/ had time to demonstrate the bolt
was slipped within.
CHAPTER II.
"Phil," | said the next afternoon,
II have been thinking over your sug-
gestion. What do you think of the
neighborhood of PenZance again? If
you like that I'll write at once and
we had before"
And l have been thinking, too"
he answered, with a short laugh,
"and | don't want to go. 1t was but
fancy; / have thought better of it
to-day"
l was surprised and rather disap-
pointed, for | thought the change
would have dispelled the cloud that
hung about him, and restored him
to himself. But | said no more, and
just then the door bell rang.
1t was Mr.. Vore5 He seemed to
bring new atmosphere with him as
he entered, and very soon his bright
ness had communicated itself to my
son, so that his face regained its
usual cheerfulness.
81 have kept my word, you see,'
he said LAS it happened, business
did bring me this way; but you are
i'll, Mrs. Muller?"
cup / repeated. No. Why"
81 should scarcely have recognized
you. beg your pardon, but really
you look ill.,"
81 did not sleep we'll last night,
lnaG is all, L LlleQ 10 reply, careless
ly, for saw Philip turn his head
quickly in my direction.
"You did not tell me, mother, " he
said
Nelson Vores changed the subject,
and was soon deep in political ar
gument with my boy, to whom l
read the paper daily, so that he was
as we'll informed of what was going
on as most people.
The acquaintance so oddly begun
soon ripened into intimacy. AS the
time slipped away we grew to know
him well, and not only him, but his
whole family-father and mother,
brothers and sisters. Phoebe Carroll
was sometimes there, for she and
Alice Vores, the eldest sister, were
old friends.
Spring changed into summer; au-