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

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look at the fair head bent Ike a droop-
ing flower. He went over to her and
touched her hair softly.
''Aice, sing to me once again."
She rose, went to the apiano, and
turned over her songs.
None Of these. Sing Tears, idle
tears!'n
She touched a few chords, her hands
trembling violently, and her voice was
broken with tears as she sang. She man.
aged the first verse, but at the second
her strength gave way. her voice was
choked by sobs, and, clasping her hands
over her face, she began to weep Bit
terly. Jack looked down at her with
bitter pain-an impulse was strong
within him to clasp her in his arms, to
comfort her with loving, passionate
words, to kiss away the tears from her
/ pretty face. Not giving himself time
TO Weld to the temptation, he walked to
the window; the beautiful stars were
shining down like the eyes of heaven,
and in each steady arrow of light came
a message-"Be strong-be strongl"
Alice came to his side presently, her
eyes red and swollen, but her tears gone
for a time.
Don't be angry, -" she said pleadingly
81 couldn't help it,"
He took both her hands tenderly.
"Were those tears for me, little sis
ter?n Was it hIs fancy? Did the sweet
face shadow 1T his wordsp
II wish you were not going away, "
she said in a low tone.
"Wishes won't avail in this cruel
world, and You will soon learn to be
happy without me-" Her blue eyes
looked at him reproachfully. "Ah, YOU
will, little Alieel Your sunny spirit
wasn't made to bear sorrow long, Come
you ought to comfort me. | think |
am the person most to be pitied. Dry
your eyes--they are looking like drowned
forget-me-nots.n He wiped way the
tears with her handkerchief, laughing
as he did so, and led her to the piano.
''Try again-not that doleful strain"
But she ShTank back.
"Auntie Will want me, | think, " she
sad; and, escaping from the hand that
would have held her, she ran upstairs.
Jack scarcely saw her again. Directly
after prayers she went up to her own
room. The others sat IN the parlOr,
talking painfully of the parting and the
meeting in the distant years. Hour
after hour chimed from the gray church
tower, till the blue dawn beamed over
the sea and shone into the room. Jack
put out the lamp and drew aside the
curtains.
Come here, mother-Arthuri''
The sea was sparkling in the fresh
JsxI4. a., A,Ar-s-. ckar xrN 1l.-s,. -
the heavens; the horizon was glowing
like a rOse-leaf.
81 must be gone in an hour" said
Jack, with a heavy sigh. "When shall
we meet AGAIN."
Ten years spent IN a foreign land
ten years of struggle, of hidden pain
had dimmed the Gre of Jacks eyes,, and
saddened the bright eager spirit that
had taken up its burden so bravely. He
stood on the hillside thinking of his
youth and Alice. In a few moments he
would see her, not as she wa that
Alice was dead with the vanished years
but as his brothers. wife, the mother
of many children.
AS he crossed the road the gate of the
glebe meadows was dashed open, and a
group of beautiful sunny-haired chill
dren ran out just across his path. A
lady was with them. Jack heard her
laughing, and saying in a gay full voice
to one, You little REBEL Your uncle
Jack Will keep you in order. | shall
hand you W. to him."
She stopped short on seeing Jack, who
Was waiting at the gate for them to
pass. The lady looked at his puzzled
face with laughing dark eyes, and whis-
pered something to the rebellious little
rogue she held in her arms. The eldest
of the boys caught the words, and
rushed up with outstretched hands.
81 know who you are-you are my
uncle Jackl'
For all answer his uncle caught him
up,
My darling boy! Are all these your
brothers and sisters?"
Yes; I'm Arthur, and this is John
ME, and that is Walter, and that our
sister-she's called Lucy-and there's
the baby"
Jack, very much amused, looked at
the lady in charge of them.
''They don't expect you at the Rec
tory yet, Mr.. Barhan." she said, smil-
ing, your brother intended to meet
YOU"
81 came on more quickly from Lon
don than l expected Shall | carry
that young gentleman for your"
mo, thank you; we are going to pick
anemOnes in the eopse. Come, children;
your uncle viii have enough of you be-
fore long"
With a graceful little bow to Jack she
passed on. calling her troop, who
seemed very loath to leave their new
found relative.
"Who is that?" whispered Jack, as
Arthur was just running of in obedi.
ence to the gentle call.
''Oh, that is Miss Tatbotl''
The answer lett Jack Just as wise as
before. IL was only a few yards across
the meadows to the Rectory garden.
Jack went on hastily through the fra
grant flowers, the familiar faces of
which seemed to welcome him gladly.
a lady was at the window examining a
timetable; he heard her say
There must be a mistake, Arthur,
this month; the afternoon train can
never be so late"
In another moment the book fell to
the ground, and Jack held his weeping
mother IN his arms. Home againl Ten
years seemed nothing now.
Once more in the old room they sat
round the tea table, so happy.
"We are all changed-you the least,
mother, said Jack.
who the most?" asked Arthur, his
fair face beaming with joy.
II don't know-not you; so it must
be Alice or Alice, | think. You are
prettler than ever, fair lady," Jack
added, smiling at Ter.
She was changed-from a girl to a
matronly woman, plump and fair and
motherly; but, as Jack said, her face
was prettier than even with its bright
tints and sweet expression.
The shadows were lengthening when
the children came back from their ram.
BILE
"Here ome your g~overness. Alice,
with your treasures said Jack, who