The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-03-15
RETURN.


Hrrst's niece, with q charming little
laugh, as she kissed Aunt James cheek.
And we're sure to meet everybody
we love-" put in plump little Jennie
Wiseman. .
Not quite everybody" sighed Aunt
Jane.
NO" said Nellie, quickly; land I
wanted to ask you If uncle is still hard
and unforgiving?"
Yes, not the least sign of change; he
has forbidden us all to speak Marks
name in his presence. Oh, my boyi my
absent boyG" moaned the mother, bury
ing her face in her Bingham apron.
but how can we pass Owe Christ
mas without Mark? 1 am not afraid of
Uncle Luke, and mean to ask him.
Don't Nelliei Oh, please don't make
The attempt! 1t will only cause q
storm"
But Nellie Maxwell shut her red Inns
firmly, and with the soft flush in her
. !;eeks deepening, and the beautiful
light in her eyes growing brighter, she
ought her uncle.
"'Uncle Luke, 1 have something to
ask you"
Yes, my DEAR and he looked at her
with a kindly smile.
~ '@aA' ISe ~ IA
Brave as Nellie imagined herself to
be, she was hardly prepared for the an
cry flash in the farmers eyes, or the
cruel things he said.
'How dare you speak his name in my
prcsence?n he Numbered.
'Oh, uncle-dear uncle, / must speak
his name. Though you drove him
from home, you cannot Danish his men,
DRY from our hearts--not wen from
your own, hard as you try to make us
believe it." =
Go to the house child, and trouble
me no longer. l never forgive" and
Uncle Luke stalked grandly away, while
Nellie, with a tiny wrinkle between her
eyes, returned to the house.
Il knew it would be no use," said
Aunt Jane, sadly, when informed Of
what had passed.
but what did Mark do that was SO
dreadfulPn pleaded someone that wa
not informed of the family trouble.
He wanted to go to New York" ex-
planned Mrs. Hurst, ''and seek his for
June there, while his fathers wish was
that he should succeed him in the farm
here. That is all; but they quarreled,
and he went away in anger when his ia
Their ordered him from his sight. It's
nearly q veal ago and home has never
been home since to me, and l don't be-
lieve it has to father, if he would ac-
knowledge the truth. We never heard
from Mark afterwards"
But preparations went on for the
grand dinner, and when all was in read
mess, the table fairly groaned under its
load of good things.
When all were seated, before n word
of the grace could be offered, or a
mouthfu1 of the dainties tasted, Nellie,
her sweet face q trife psler than usual,
arose, and in o voice hat trembled o
little, said;
Uncle Luke, we have all entered in
TO a little compact. Our good dinner is
ready, but we cannot partake of it while
one we all loyo cannot share it, and re-
mains unforgiven. You need not look
black; anger will avail you nothing, for
unless you forgive your absent SON, we
will not eat mi mouthful of this repast,
nor give forth one prayer of thanks.
We who love Mark and love you, de-
clare this"
Mr.. Hurst was thunderstruck; he
looked around with flashing eyes upon
his nieees aud %nephews, aunts and u
ms. He saw his wife's pale, fearful
iACCs uCl hCuNluR plbdSt uuA NldSpCu
hands. Every face at that table looked
grave and determined. Somewhere
back in the distant past of another
Christina Day he heard q merry voice
say: "Let me carve the beef; father
must not do it ALL" Strange he should
hear the words so plainly. Where,
alas! was that strong young voice-that
merry laughp His handsome, spirited
boy. Forgive himl why, he had forgiv-
en- him long ago, only he was too proud
to acknowledge it.
Again he glanced over the table. All
were silent, their eyes upon their plates;
at the far end, Nellie stood, her cool,
unfiinching eyes, as they met his own,
brought TO his obtuse heart q memory
of other days.
Once more he glanced at his wife
how pale; and van she lookedi Poor
mother! growing for her boy, and
She would grieve no more. Slowly,
as il casting aside a heavy weight, he
arose, and in a husky voice offered fer
vent thanks for the bountiful repast,
and the kindness of those who had
shown him his sinful anger; then added
at its close, a prayer for the absent son,
whose return he hoped might be o
When he sat down, there was not q
dry eye at tho table. But, while they
yet fingered at his side, q voice outside
rang out sharp and clear. Tho door
few open with a bang and Mark Hurst
stood before t-eul, taller, ruddier, hand
somer thar Of old.
'.Christmas wasn't Christmas any
place else than homel Father, you'll
forgive me won't you? There, mother,
don't cry, please"
And Mark found himself surrounded
by a host of friends, all eager for a
clasp of his hand.
.ft is / who should ask forgiveness,
rather" said his father. IL drove you
away"
mo, mol it was all for the best.
was growing headstrong and spoiled
with your patience, and mothers pet
ting. I went out and found the world
handled a fellow q little differently; but
I've made my way; found work to do,
and good friends, though none SO deal
rs those I left"
II knew it." murmured Aunt Jane
az knew my boy was brave and true"
Like his father" laughed Mark,
with . roguish look Mt the happy, proud
old man
Later. when the evening games be
gan, Mark drew Nellie away from the
merrymakcrs. and whispered:
could you manage to exist on {
thousand dollars a-yearp-because it,
hard on o fellow to have nc HON,
and"
But the happy, tender light in Nellie
eyes was answer enough, and, a. h,
Kissed her red lips. he whispered CRATE
fully: