New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-12-19
CHAPTER II,

"Phil," said the next afternoon, II
have been thinking over your sug-
gestion. What do you say to the
peighborhood of Penzance again. If
you would like that, I'll write at once,
and see whether we can have the rooms
we had before"
''And have been thinking too," he
answered, with short laugh, ''and I
don't want to 60. 1t was nothing but
q fancy; | have thought better of it to-
day."
I was surprised and rather disap-
pointed, for l thought the change
would have dispelled the cloud that
hung about him, and restored him to
himself But said no more about it,
and just then the door-bell rang.
1t was Mr.. Vores. He seemed to
bring a new atmosphere with him as he
entered, and very soon his brightness
had communicated itself to my son, so
that his face regained it's usual cheer
fulness.
II have soon kept my word, you
see,' he said. GAS it happened,
business did bring me this way; but
you are ill, Mrs. Muller?''
AL. 1CpCuOCus NO. w NY
81 should hardly have recognized
you. beg your pardon, but really,
you look iii"
II did not sleep last night, that is
ALL" l replied carelessly, for 1 saw
Philip turn his head quickly in my di-
rection.
''You did not tell me, MOTHER he
said.
Nelson Vores changed the subject,
and was soon deep in political argu-
ment with my boy, to whom I read the
paper daily, SO that he was as well in
formed of what was going on as most
people.
The acquaintance so oddly begun
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 Carol was some
times there, for she and Alice Vores,
the eldest sister, were old friends.
Spring changed into summer; autumn
tints began to appear on the few old
elms in our neighborhood, and still
the shadow chung to my poor Phil.
Only at such times as we were alone I
saw it; at others he was as he used
to be.
/ thought it best to wait and see what
time would do, and endeavored more
than ever to find him interests and
pleasures in which he could join. He
would not listen to any hint of leaving
town.
''Unless you need the change your
Golf 1o,1SroC. ~ Il co;I
it; and | sometimes wondered whether
it would be wrong to get him away
under that pretence.
One. autumn evening Nelson Vores
and his sister Alice, were at our house.
| went upstairs with Alice when they
were going, and then she said some
thing that gave me chill.
''What is wrong with Mr.. Mullerp"
she asked, lowering her voice as though
she feared it's sound might reach those
below.
''Wrong, dear?''
eyes. He is growing to look SO thin
and haggard, Nelson is quite concern
ed about him. I suppose you, seeing
him every day, notice the change less
than we who only meet him at inter-
walls.
Perhaps that is it, I answered al
most coldly, for it hurt me that anyone
should know more of his appearance
than l.
When they were gone I looked at
Phil and my heart sank. After closing
the door upon the pair had re-entered
the room SO silently that he did not
hear me, and for minute 1 could
watch him without his knowing it.
Only minute, and then he had caught
a half sigh that would have vent.
''You here, mother?''
eyes, DEAR I drew my chair to
his side, and took his hand in mine.
''Phil dear will you always wear a
mask before me?"
He was taken aback. I felt his start,
and ne turned his head, seeming to
look at me. 49,
..If ] do it is save you pain
Philip, it breaks my hearth