Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-02-28
AFTER LONG YEARS.

well. it's what l have been looking
for. will take charge Of the papers
and attend to the matter soon. Down
East, isn't it7'
Yes SIR
Mr.. Faxon put the papers into the
breast pocket of his coat, came down
the Office stairs, and stepped into the
glittering, purple lined phaeton, beside
his wife.
The delicate Arabian, Mrs. Faxon's
horse, sped away out of the city con-
fines. and soon tossed her jetty name
along the open roads, lined with gar
dens, ornate cottages and villas.
Going away again tomorrow, my
dear?' asked Mrs. Faxon, suddenly
lifting her fair countenance, as she in
terrupted her husband. You seem to
be away all the time lately. Take me
with you
Not this time, Violet
And Violet Faxons husband fell
into fit of abstraction, from which
her smartest chatter failed to arouse
him
They came at last.to the Faxon man
sion, grand and simple, and fulfilling
it's promise of beautiful interior.
Amid the white lace and crimson
silk of her chamber, Violet was
brushing out her long, fair hair, when
her husband paused in the doorway
and looked at her sharply. Then he
came slowly across the room, and lift
ing the oval face in his hand, looked
closely at the roseate cheek, pearly ear
and curved lashes.
What is lt?' asked Violet-'a
freckle?
NO. he answered, smiling frankly
and strolling across the chamber.
You looked like my sister then; tnat
was ALL
Your sister, dear7 Yon never told
me about her, said Violet.
No. he answered, and said no
more.
Mr.. Faxon bore no resemo olance to
his delicate patrician wife. A little
less chan thirty-.dark, strongly built,
active, vigorous-he impressed one as
q strong character. If, with re-
markably rich comeliness OF counten-
ance, there were some sensual lines,
there was also certain evidence OF
strong good sense, and look OF deep
experience. Mr.. Faxon looked like a
man that carried weight.
He was up and away at daybreak
the next morning. An early train
bore him eastward, and 9 o'clock found
him landing at little station called
Seabrook.
The dismal little building was set in
a field of clover, around which road
wound away among the mounds OF
verdure.
After glance around, Mr.. Faxon
took this road and walked slowly
along. The robbins hoped across it.
the bobolinks sang in trees over it
The unassuming white clover among
the grass perfumed the morn
ing air.
He passed few houses, but he OBJ
served them attentlvely. They were
all old and humble farm houses APP
parentlv this property which had, by
the foreclosure of mortage fallen tt
Mr.. Faxon was not situated in very
rich and enterprising neighborhood.
When he had walked nearly mills
he came to great dooryard, among
widespread apple trees, with vel.
sweep among them, and residence
though plain, more pretentious ant
comfortable than the others.
There was narrow, we'll worn patl
among the short grass and buttercup
Nto the porch, where a bilter-swee
Ewined its strong arms. In the corner
under the verdure, was an arm chair
with book on the seat, and can
lying across it-a gnarled twisted can
of hickory that Mr.. Faxon looke'
twice at The book he saw was Bi
BILE.
There was an old lady with swee
faded face, and snowy cap strings tie
under her double chin, knitting at
window near by, but his quiet step ha
not disturbed her.
He had put his hand on the knockel
he took it down as be caught sight {
this placid face. He stood there quit
still for several minutes. A gray CT
came and rubbed against his les
Some apple blossoms, floating dow
touched his cheek.
At lenth the gentle lips moved.
Father said the mild old lad
you had best lie down and take
\ rest.
Such old people, and | have con
to take their home away, said M
Faxon.
There was strong pain in his dal
face now as he stood looking down
the porch floor.
After moment he stepped off tx
porch. on the further side, and wake
away under the apple trees.
When Mr.. Faxon came back fro
his brief stroll, his presence as
crossed the yard was observed.
A white-haired old man, who hi
come to the open door and taken
the hickory stick, turned back hastil
with few hurried words, and t