The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-08-25

whom he had time to notice now, was en-
gagged in tying up some drawings of hers
| which she was going to take away with
her. She would not leave one vestige
of herself in her old home, she thought
The old man would 60 with his son to the
delicate little rosebud Of a girl. AS for
her, what did it matter that she had no
home, nobody on earth but them ? that her
life had held nothing but them?
The drawings looked like masterpieces
of art to Jack; he had heard of Maddy's
genius. How cold and still she had grown
in these two years! It might be devotion
to art and to work. She looked as impas
siye and obstructive as if she had gone in
to some height, unknown to him, from
whence she would look down on all his
fancies and his. Jack never remained
long in doubt about anything.
"Maddy." He crossed the hearth rug
to the corner where she stood and took up
her hand.
''The ring? It's gone"
Maddy glanced down carelessly. "Ring"
Yes. / remember now. That ring was
too small for me. | took it off long ago."
Jacks eyes twinkled; he held her wrist
tight. GLOW long ago? Within the hour?
See how red and bruised the poor little
hand is ~
The pity was too much for heroic little
Gha COW crsh hirf hpf fQor
back in her wet, miserable eyes. Jack
never knew in all his life how deep the
bruise went when that ring came off. He
looked at her steadily-closer, closer;
lifted the hurt hand until his breath
touched i, then kissed it, just as he had
used to kiss her lips years ago, as no man
had touched them since, as they never
would be kissed again.
She drew back. "You have no right
to play with me in that way"
''At the first tone of her altered voice
Jack stood startled and grave. "What do
you mean, Madeline? You need not feign
that you did not know loved you when |
went away two years ago."
"You were under no promise to me,
quickly, have no right to reproach you."
''No promise, but loved YOU
sAnd now little Clara has taken my
place." with icy composure. [ do not
think that strange"
srhat poor little creature! Oh, Made
line!''
That touch OF contempt was worth
thousand arguments.
''Do you mean to say you don't love her,
Jack? ?" catching hold Of his coat lapels
with both her hands. [ have been SO mis-
erable! I" she dropped her head and
said no more; but the little Burgundy rose
had opened its heart TO him with all its
sweetness and spicy perfume, and Jack
knew the flavor of it we'll. He had been
waiting for it for many years.
''They sat together in a shaded corner;
the Major was po7ing over his parchment
by freight After awhile Maddy referred
to her rival again, patronizingly. "Clara
is pretty, you must acknowledge, Jack.
Though she is weak, as you say, poor
child -
81 don't know" said Mr.. Jack, whose
conscience twinged him with certain moon
light walks in Chicago. ''She was very
considerate aud kind to me, Madeline.
Her father was anxious for me to take the
first church here. But I'd made up my
mind to that little home in the West--lf
you would 60 with me-"
81 always thought you would come for
me,n said honest Maddy.
The Major was looking at them over his
spectacles. $50? So?" he said in amaze
ment "Why, God bless you, my child
ren. You plan better for yourselves than
| did for you.'
Jack laughed and drew his chair over
between them. cit will be hard work to
live, at first, but we three are old comrades
and know how to rough it,
"This is duplicate of Robert Standish's
WILL" said the Major. trying to be legal
and lucid, "and by it find certain dem
esnes, messuages-Well, [ don't know, to
tell the truth. if its fortune Or mere
competency, Jack. But its enough for us
all to give NJ Murray and the Camera the
go-by for life. We may start national
magazine with it, in his old Dragging
tone.
s1There will be no more of this for you
then, father, glancing around. The bare
floors and pinched poverty, and the worn
out old man with his white hair in the
midst, chafed Jack, angry and sore. .contin-
ually.
"And here is the supper, at last'' cried
Maddy.
II had forgotten was hungry; but it is
long past my usual dinner hour" said the
Major loftily. He rose with alaerity to
help her spread the white cloth, and set
the hot dainty dishes on it, managing as
he lighted the lamp to empty halt-tllled
goblef into the ashes. s'Such abominable
/ wine as these fellows furnish me now r. he
muttered, and then suddenly stopped,
looking at Jack, shamed, defeated look
creeping all over his big body. He went
TO him. ..My son. he said, hnmbly, s'it
would be better you left me behind, you
and Maddy. / am miserable, faulty, old
man,
ssAnd I am, a faulty young one said