The Baltimore County union., 1883-05-12


would give me the chance" said Jane,
frankly. "The life Of single woman
isn't all sunshine and love, either
And there's the loneliness. II mother
should die there wouldn't be an excuse
for my existence.
"You would find something to do,
Jane"
"What? Every avenue open to women
is already overcrowded, and ! might
take n place that was needed by some
one on the verge of starvation or suicide.
And then, unskillcd labor isn't worth
anything. never learned trade, and
the only thing can do is to take care
of mother"
As the days went by, and Mrs. Moore
was pronounced on the fair road to
recovery, Rebecca began to grow home
sick. She would not admit il to her
self at first but it was quite true,
nevertheless, and was patent to her
mother and Jane, who knew nothing
of the proposed separation. Her mind
dwell. continually on Caleb and the
farm. She wondered how he had
managed about the milk, the churning
and his meals, il he had remembered
to feed the cat and put corn out for
the pigeons aud wind the kitchen clock.
She imagined the kitchen floor muddy
and wet, and felt sure the dust was
lying thick on everything from garrett
to cellar. She wondered, too, if Caleb
had missed her absence. But she had
been gone only week. \ week 1t
seemed six months.
That night she cried herself 10 sleep
and her last waking thought was OF
Caleb and the unkindness with which
she had treated him. Strange to say,
the wrongs which she herself had suf-
fered were forgotten.
al must gohomc, mother" she said
the next morning. "You don't need
me any longer, and ought not to
stay"
al, is only natural you should wan,
to CO." said the old lady. al don't
blame you. Caleb is more to you now
than mother and sister pu; together. -
I'm glad you are SO happy in your
marriage, dear. But felt sure from
the first that you would be. Try to
keep the love you have won, daughter.
Life isn't worth much If there is no
love to help us bear its burdens"
y burning flush suifused Rebecca's
face.
elbow could ever have told her ?
she thought. "How she would feel il
she knew that only her illness saved
Caleb and me from a separation"
|, was dusk when Rebecca reached
Frcestonc, and as she had not written
to Caleb that she was coming there was
no one there to meet her.
But she persuaded Mr.. Boswells son
to drive her out to the farm for "con-
sideraiion."
He took the road which led past the
office of Lawyer Kane, and Rebecca
could not repress shudder as she saw
it. Her heart turned sick within her,
as for the first time the thought came
TO her that perhaps Caleb would no,
forgive her-would ripidly insis, upon
the separation agreed upon ten days
before.
She dismissed the buggy at the gate
ard went on foot up the side road which
led to the kitchen door.
The house was quite dark. Sh,
wondered il by any cruel chance Calet
was away. But no E; the knob Of thC
door turned in her hand and she en-
tered
Caleb had not lighted lamp, bu
the lids of the stove were Off, and th,
bright freight showed him sitting il
large chair, his head sunk on hi
breast and one hand over his eyes.
He WAS so deeply buried in thought
and Rchccca came in so softly, that h
did no; hear her.
She stood for full moment looking
q, him, marking the wan look on hi
face, the weary, detected attitude.
\ terrible pang struck her heart
This was her doing. She it was VIII
had brought those sad lines to th
handsome, manly countenancc ot tn
man she had never loved so well a
now. No doubt ii was OF her unkind
ness he was thinking as he sighed heavi
ly.
With hoarse sob she threw hersel
on her knees beside him, and windin
her arms about his neck, cried, wildly
Caleb! Caleb! can you ever for
give me?"
He did not answer for moment
but held her close, pressing his fac
lovingly TO hers. Then he raised he
gently TO her feet and drew her to
seat on his knee, rs he said, in low
broken voice:
alt is who should ask for pardon
Beckic. All this long week I've bee
aching to tell you how sorry feel 70
all said. sent Jonas away the da
after you left me, and I've been a
alone with my misery and repentance
Did YOU want to come back? Tell me !?
But there was somethingin Rebccca'
throat which choked her, and she coul
only answer with sob as she hid he
face on her husbands breast.
"Hcllo, Sterling" said Mr.. Kan'
meeting Caleb in the village street
few days later, "why didn't you fulfi
that engagement that you made wit
me two weeks ago."
ooh, settled the business very III
expectedly, and didn't need any leg
aid," answered Caleb.
And the lawyer, shrewd as he wa
never suspected what the trouble ha
been at Clover Top farm.
psy-The fashionable boot: A youn
woman calls upon her shoemaker, III
most fashionable artist in the city, an
complains that her new boots burst o
the very first day that she wore them
alt cannot be, madam" says the artis