The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-08-25
BENTON MONTA NA SATURDAY AUGUST IS, 1888


tritie, such as il schoolboy would give. 1t
had been there SO many years that it burned
and panied the Woman's full-groWn finger.
It had done SO for many years.
"One month - she said to herself again
and again.
The sun was down, but the reflection
from the snow on the roofs threw pleas
ant brightness into the many windows,
while the clock licked cheerfully the last
hour of daylight away.
A noise below broke the silence into
which they had fallen. The stairs were
long and rickety, and steps could be heard
creaking from one flight to another.
ats Jack!' The Major spoke hoarse-
ly, standing up. He had been thinking it
over while he sat. However false and dis
reputable his course had been since he was
a man, he at least was right, he thought,
at its close. "Nothing in his life so be-
came him as the ending of it, he quoted
to himself. "But M'Murray would call it
theatrical trick
Jack was at the street door. L, few
moments it would be too late. He thrust
bis fingers into his pocket and secreted
the little vial in his palm. lie went to the
door as if to close it. At that moment
Maddy caught sight of a yellow bit of
writing on the hearth, stopped, picked 1t
up.
She nodded as she read it, without sur
prise.
ellis SOM" and Jack wants the old
man now to deny it. Not to stand in his
way.
The first hint about that poor white rab
bit Clara had turned her blood to gall.
She was suddenly bitter and unjust to
Jack to whom she had given her whole
life of patient, sweet-tempered trust.
The steps came nearer. The poor old
Major backward toward the inner door,
his uncouth face white and wet. I'm not
well. I'm going to lie down on your bed.
Take him away with you, Maddy.
can't see either of You Tonight. Yet
even then it gave him a vague pleasure to
hear how light and gay and resolute the
boys steps were.
Maddy came quietly between him and
The door. "No, we will both see this
Jack, who puts you out of his way
The door opened. There was the old,
short, stout built Jack. The old sturdy,
honest face, under the same fur cap, the
twitch in the mouth ready to makea joke
at anybody or at himself.
"Why, Maddy! did not hope to find
you here, little woman," giving her a
brotherly shake Of the hand, and so fgu-
ratively setting her aside. How The dull,
morbid shadows that had filled the room
crept aside before him. Maddy felt that
her life had been but a passionate dream.
Practical, common-sense people on the
same plane of society saw each other ii
month ago in Chicago and married ration
ally. And why should practical, ration
al man cucumber himself with this lately
discovered father. With his undoubtedly
unwholesome faneies and STACEY habits?
s'Major Standish." Jack, with all his
hearty manners, was embarrassed. [ came
to speak to you on business of importance.
You have no secrets from Maddy?
"Don't speak, boy! For Gods sake.
In a title while / will set it all right.
door.
E'But / won't wait" Jack had his
hands on the Majors shoulders and forced
him down on chair. His faced flushed
as he spoke, and his voice grew unsteady.
"Look at this old man, Madaline Twenty
years ago he came here, healthy, middle
aged man with comfortable living and a
son-a boy that he could have educated
plainly and had to work for him and be a
companion as he grew old. But what
does he do? Puts the boy where he will
be tended like prince, be clothed in pur-
pie and fine linen, gives up his income to
him, while he-look at this cockloft,
Maddy! Look-here. He put his hand
on the old mans head and drew it through
the thin white hair. Once or twice he
began to speak, but stopped. At last he
said know the shifts you have made to
live, the insults you bore, that might
sleep soft and live warm. It's we'll | do
know them all. You will never want the
care Of son again; SO help me, God.o
eyes, yes;" | knew you would say
that, cried the Major. ssBut of what use
was it all? You have ruined yourself. |
know what am, who told you this?
"A man who came from Virginia to
find YOU"
"What does he Want?e
.sHe would not tell me-" Proctor's
face clouded. The Majors quick eyes
marked it.
s'He has warrant for me / suppose?"
sullen and dogged.
q do not know. He refused to give me
any hint
ssTheIe were several little affairs
there's no use stirring up muddy water,
that | can see, peevishly. ssBut if ifss
.criminal-let me alone, Jack catching
the young mans sleeve: you shall not drag
yourself down for me. III not have my
whole life thWarted,' = fiercely.
.Jack's answer was to glance around
the poyerty-strieken garret. and at his
own costly quiet dress. The tears We're
in his eyes. We're one now. come what