The Penn's Grove record., 1885-04-18
4wo SUMMERS.

The fair summer day was dead. The
low western hills still glowed with the
radiance of her last smile; but twilight
had shroudcd the valley, and on the
lonely shore where the brothers We're
strolliQg the first beams of the rising
moon had fallen, like the beautiful
promise of another day.
"a bright omen for our parting,
Iaek,p said the elder brother, stopping
TO watch the silvery light tremble over
the blue waters.
His companion sighed restlessly.
'How often, thinking of home, | have
watched the moon rise over the seal |
wish--"
.sWhat, old fellowP'
Jack laughed, taking off his cap and
running his hand through his ozark curly
hair.
"a great many things. You are a
lucky fellow, Arthur, to be able to stay
in England. | wish chat India were a
little nearer, or that somebody would
invent portable wings"
They walked on for a few moments
silently, while the moon rose in her
splendor. browning the sea and the shore
with new beauty.
81 wish you were not so far away; |
am afraid it is a wrong choice, Jack"
mo, no-I don't think that. The
old Berseker blood is strong within me;
[ could never settle down to the routine
of English life. You in your quiet
Reetory, Arthur, may have more real
happiness but not the wild pleasure |
have felt in my wanderings."
II wish you could stay with us now
though. Is it my mistake, Jack2 /
fancy you cling to the old house athome
more fondIy than ever before"
A dark flush glowed in Jacks swarthy
cheeks.
sit viii be so long this time before l
see you all again" lie answered. ''Ten
years-ah, who knows what will have
happened then? L say, Arthur?"
eyes, Jack"
"Did you ever think of getting mar
ried?'
His brother bushed like a girl as he
replied hastily
"Society expects a rector to marry,
you know"
Don't put me off with such an an
sWEA lO-iil2Atbs NOAlT, NCAl hlC-I h3NC
something to confess too, but your on
ddence viii strengthen mine"
Arthur struck away the pebbles with
his stick, his handsome face still flushed.
ga man OF your penetration ought to
have guessed, Jack. What do you say
to Alice Forbes as a sister?'
Arthur was looking away from his
brother as he spoke, and did not see the
change that passed over the bright
young face beside him. The dusky
color in jacks cheeks faded to a dull
white, and his eyes wandered away to
the sea, with a hopeless tortured glance
that saw nothing of the beauty before
him.
'Dou't you like her, Jack?" said his
brother, surprised at his silence.
"Yes. very much"-Jack spoke with
a strong effort-''a model wife she VIII
make for a parsOn. How does she like
the p ~ospectS"
81 haven't asked her yet; but l
GLOW cold it is hereI Let us go in,
old fellow"
"But you owe me a confession, Jack"
''Oh, mine will keepl will send it
from India signed and Sealed
Il wish you would tell me-"
mot now. Your pretty romance has
spoiled mine"
And, laughing off his brothers. ques.
lions, Jack went on to the Rectory. His
father had been Rector there for fifty
years, and when he died the lord of the
manor had conferred the living upon
Arthur, who had been acting as his
fathers curate for some time.
Jack was a civil engineer, and though
still young, had been away on foreign
service. He was going to India, TO un-
dertake some Government work, and
would be away ten years. The last few
months he had spent at the Rectory
learning to love over again pretty Alice
Forbes who had been the playmate of
the brothers ever since they made mud
pies and sand castles on the beach.
Tea was laid in the Rectory parlor,
the table being decked with gay flowers,
the leaves of which were glittering still
with tears that had fallen on them from
soft blue eyes, The lamp was lighted,
and the room made bright and cheerful
tor the little feast-prepared with such
aching hearts-for the last night.
Did you think we were lost, mother?n
asked Jack, with a feverish galety. Gar
thur and ! have been settling the affairs
of the nation"
You are ready for some tea, | should
think. win you ring the bell?"
Jack sat down by the table, and toyed
restlessly with the cups.
- hope you will play croquet better
when / come home, Alice" he re-
marked, smiling at the quiet little fig
ure opposite TO him, whose head was
bent low over some work.
Il will try" answered a faint little
voice.
Jack made a few moro remarks in the
same light tone, but his voice failed him
at last as he glanced at his mothers
face.
There was a little silence in the room
till the servant brought in the kissing
tea urn. Jack jumped up to help his
mother. Hot tears were in his eyes, but
he brayely kept them back.
Look up, AliceI Ne need to be so
moumful-you will soon lose your tor.
mentor, . be said, handing her a cup of
tea. arthur, pass me the cake. Come
now, little woman, set me a good exam
pie"
She smiled up at him through her
tears, and took a piece of cake; but 1t
remained untasted on her plate.
sit IS not very long, mother, after
all, - went on Jack-''only ten summers.
harvests. If 1t were thirty years,
now l could understand your sad face.
Don't look 50 miserable. We shall meet
again, never fear"
''ln heaven, l trust, if not on earth"
answered his mother family.
son earth first, l hope, said Arthur,
who seemed hardly able to speak.
1t wa a miserable meal, for all their
forced cheerfulness. The almost I'M
touched dainties were taken away and