West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-02-29

I
p.shed and the first day of MAY found
the Warren family on wheels. The
purchase of the farm had been accepted
sight unseen as old-fashioned boy.
used TO trade jack knives. II had even
dreamed Of occupying the house | should
have paid IL n visit, but nothing had
been farther from my mind. and 1 nat
! orally felt very anxious rs we neared
I Pcachville.
IL was one of Fanny hobbies that our
boys should be removed from the town
and its vicious influences while they
I were yet bliSSfully unconscious Of evil.
Looking at our rev home from that
standpoint, it was certainly success.
Our nearest neighbor was n solitary old
man. rs deaf rs post and at least a
mile away. The village was twice that
! distance. and the roads so heavy that
| there was little danger of cOntaminat-
/ ing associations from that quarter. NV
heart was heavier than lead rs the
horses toiled through the sand between
the station and our home, making the
new carry all creak in every Joint.
We found the house Drettily en-
powered in vines whose leaves
would no doubt appear in due
time. Tidy. our maid of all
work, declared il was the dirticst
house she lever set foot in but Fanny
said that was what everybody thought
who was not used to moving INTO
old houses. IL was Fanny's nature TO
make the best of things. and Mt the end
of month she and Tidy had contrived
to make our cottage snug and home
like.
And was not at all unhappy. In
deed, my own indifference caused me
the gravest foreboding at first. ! seemed
to be paralyzed. Perhaps my neighbors
had recognized my mental disorder.
and attributed our change of residence
to it. As time went on, however. | re-
turned to my old self. The humdrum
life | was forced to lead grew intolora-
BILE. The spell of longing for my old
haunts came upon me.
just about this time received let
ter calling me to the city upon mat
ter of business. Fanny made arrange
ments for me to go by an early train.
so that might return that same even
ing, for she was timid, and dreaded the
thought of my absence for single
night. Upon my arrival, however, /
found that could not do this |.
therefore, telegraphed my wife to that
| had invited TO visit us. would 90 i'm
my place. Fanny was fond of all
young ladies, and Miss Jones i'm par
ticular. So / flattered myself that
had made such satisfactory arrange
ment that need be in no haste to re-
turn.
was hardly able to conceal the boy
ish delight with which | entered my
club that evening. My friends were
glad to see me, in way; but | felt
that they were less enthusiastic than
the circumstances demanded. They
greeted me with: "Weli, Warren. Won
begin to look better" and "Glad to
see that farming agrees with YOU.
George, Till felt like knocking every
man down that | met. The salad was
Hat and the wines insipid | thought
OF Fanny's dainty table with n sigh. |
even stole a glance at my watch TO see
II could catch the train and get back
that night. The thought of my wife
made me uneasy. She would be lonely.
so far from ncighbors She had owned
to me that even in our pleasant home
on Fourth street, with Tidy in the
nursery, she had sometimes been so
nervous in the long nights when
| was away that the beating of her own
heart sounded like knocking at the
street door. Or when the little curly
dog pricked up his ears To listen she
dared not guess what lie might hear. |
wondered that | had not thought of
this before. There was slow train
leaving at midnight which would reach
Peachyille about two in the morning,
and | resolved to take it, / had not
minute to spare, and rs we crawlcd
along at snails pace was puzzled at
my own impatience to get back 1t
was long enough after two when | left
the train and began my homcward tramp
through the deep sand
Fanny in the meantime had received
my telegram and FASTENED to meet Miss
Jones at the station. II was lone
some drive for the little woman; so she
took Tidy and the boys along, for the
new carryali was very roomy As she
returned with her guest her heart sank
heavily, to remember that there was no
one there TO greet her. Still. she tried
to Keep up show OF chcerfulness. as
with laughing "Opon Sesame and
three loud knocks she unlocked the
door and entered Tidy fastened To
prepare supper. while Fanny slowed
the boys in their cribs. Tncn the two
women sat on the piazza, talking as
women will. as long a. they dared.
When no excuse coul serve To- keen
Miss Jones up longer my wife ruefuI-
~ lighted her to our pretty guest
chamber, dreading beyond expression.
no doubt, the return to her own quar-
tiers
II hope You don't feel lonely. dear.
away up here?' She said at last. taking
up her candle.
IN II o. not lonely exactly" re-
turned the girl; "a little afraid, per-
haps
''Airaid?' cried Fanny. and the cold
chilIs crcpt along her pine.
Yes, little, because YOU were MI
away 20 long and the house was left
alone ] only thought some tramp
- Fanny interrupted her, saving.
aS calmly as She could.
Then come down and stay with me.
! shall Doe glad o. your company
How good my wife was I am afraid
Miss Jonc, guessed by her eager in
yl'otion. She told me that il Miss Jones
had iin.shc the sentence about the
tramp She -houil have tainted.
50 the two descended to my wife
room which was in the "i. and
opened into The nursery a. yveU a. ,,,