Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-04-21

"oh, Jack, no, mol 70 sobbed out Ia my
remorse and despair "I won't 90 to tho
seasLore. You see how in baby Is. Oh.
Jack. ask your father TO let us return
homa''
"oh, ron wouldn't be satisfied, Nell, II
We went back. It's dreadful stupid dows
there ihess days with the hsy-making and
reaping, and all that sort OF thing, we
would never be able TO endure Il thsrc
now"
| said no more. The loug, bright burn
ing days wore on, aud our bills ran up
higher, and baby's little breath seemed to
grow weaker and weaker, and poor jack
himself seemed to look dreadful i'll ami
worn. Aud one afternoon no wxs sent
home In carriage, quite unconscious.
stricken down by y Sudden fever. put
my pride aside then, and wrote. letter TO
Jacks father.
"Jack and the baby are beth III, ;" Issid.
"aud we are sick and tired Of lilo. Pray
forgive us and LEI us come home"
The next day the dear old gentleman Al
rived, but the Sheriff was before him, Jack
having confessed Judgment In lawsuit.
The rumor that we had intended 10 leavo
town cot out, aud our creditors rushed In
anxious 10 secure the lions share OF our
effects. The BRUSSELS carpets, tho hand
some furniture and the costly bric-a.brac
all went under the hammer al dlsastrously
low figures.
"Never mind" said my father-ln,law,
not shallow OF reproach on his kind old
face, "let them 90 iahble over II if they
will. We must get the slck ones home"
So we got Jack into the carriage, ani
! with his poor hot head upon my knee and
baby in my arms, turned my back upon
the scene Of short-ived triumph.
ave are going back to Cherry Hlll,"
said the old gentleman, AS In the dusk OF
the golden day we drove through the dswy
stillnes, OF the sheltered lane.
"rhe old home has been waiting for yon
all these months. was pretty surc you
W0ulu cOuc oaCh'
| could not utter one word In answer.
A great full moon was rising above tho
distant hills rs we reached the house. Not
! the smallest thing was changed. Tho great
rod roses boomed on tho terrace, tue bccs
| droned In their hives, aud the cSttle-balls
| tnglcd la the barnyard. The door WAS
wide open. We carried Jack In, and laid
him down In the broad, breezy room that
had been our bridal chamber. ......
lie opened his eyes aud drew deep
quiyering breath as the refreshing breozo
touched his throbbing heat.
"Nell, where are you!" he sald. "Sure-
| ly this must be home."
az am here, Jack" | answered through
my tears; "aud this Is home, dear-old
Cherry Hill"
"rhank God!" he murmurcd, and fell
back upon the pillows, anG l saw groat
tears trickling slowly from beneath his
closed eyclids. Beyond the open window,
in the silycry glory Of the rising moon,
the old grandfather sat, with baby at his
| feet, half hidden In the rank, cool grass,
and even at that hour the pigeons came
futtering around her as Of old, and shc
screamed with rapture IS she clutohed st
them with her thin little hand. v ,rs
Irose softly aud foil ON my knoes bosids
Jacks low pillow. tHa.taF
"Oh, Jack" sobbed, al have been %
wicked Forgive mo. an so gla; u 10
at home again"
His worn fact grew radiant asd his dear
arms held me close. Aud then and thsrc.
clasped TO my husbands heart, 10 the
sweet shelter Of the home he loved, uu-
dsrstood all the past.
"You didn't mean II, Jack" whls-
pcted. 'sYon only pretended TO enjoy IL
all to please me-
IIo smiled at mo with his grave, fend
eyes. -" '''
"And, oh, Jack, our money is all gone,
and" ''
He silerced me with kiss.
''No matter, little woman the lesson we
have Ioarned has been ohcaply bought.
We shall not care to ioave the ssS old ucst
In search OF fashion and s6cicty again"
I could not answer. I heard my baby
cooling to the pigeons In the grass. aud sat
there, clasped In Jacks forgivIng arms.
the happiest woman the round world l,elc.