Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-05-31

49, ~ 49, ~
aloud for grief
Her father was angry. This Is
morbid and hystcrical nonsense he
said. You arc outdonc with your
work and had better 90 to bed"
And so she dad. praying sorrowfuily
for Adeline Ryerson. ere she slept
AT least I will go TO see her before
Memorial Day." she thought. Per-
hals she will let me in when she sees
| love her"
So she fell asleep in peace. But her
father lay long awake. vexed and
restless. ''Thc iand'-he was saying
to hiInsclf-'I don't see how she de-
served ii il she was engaged 10 Rich
ard. lis n real silly girls notion
this of X icheT's. Who'd ever have
thought of It's being brought up
again. after nil these yoarsP | never
did like Adeline; no more did Uncle
John"
All that was the secret of the lnjus-
ticol And tho proud and sensitive
Adclino had known and felt IL all.
So William Guild had two more un-
easy. discontcnted days. The third
was the one before Memorial Day.
Then lie put on his Sunday coat and
went down to the village.
Rachel bctook herself TO the woods
for laurel for io-morrow's garlands.
At evening the house was fall Of the
flowers. aud there was n delicate flush
Of excitement upon Rachcl's check
that matched them in color. Her
father coming in looked upon her
aud loved her. Sho was like her
Unclo Richard. he thought-with just
such n fresh complexion and thought
ful gray eyes. Tho associations Of
the time were strong upon him. II
seemed as it Il chard might be only n
little way oil. just gone to the spring.
or gone to see Adeline. likely to slip
In ut the door any minute and knecl
with the rest Mt evening prayer.
Was IL this that gave Farmer Guild
such a happy look? Not altogether
He had n folded paper. n legal. formal
bit of paper in his pocket. that was to
his soul rs these dedicated flowers
were to Rachcl's. 1t was the tribute
he brought to lay upon his brothers
grave. It was q deed of the south
pasture to AdclInc Rycrson.
''Will you do an GRAND for mc7' he
said to Rachel after supper. Then he
put the paper in her hand. she will
let you in. if any boiv." he salt
You'll know what TO say better than
l. But tell her ! ask her forgiveness
that didn't do ii before; and ask her
10 accept it for Richards sake"
There was a conflict OF fear and joy
in Rtchcl's heart rs she sped down the
road to Adcline's house. She could
not but dread to break upon the isola-
ton that had been so rcsolutcIy main
tanned. Very softly she turned the
gate on Its r~ust-catcn hinges. and
stole past the perfume breathing lilacs
aud syringas to the back door Of the
house. Light rs was her step 1t startled
some one sitting upon the doorstep.
aud n tall figure rose. rctreated into
ttit hOuSt ANU nan tAOStu lnt uDOT.
From thence looking forth what did
Adclinc Rycrson see? The gray eyes
that had this moment haunted her
dreams rs she sat alone in the spring
twilight; the same eyes in truth aud
verify. and with tho same expression
of earnest. pleading love looking forth
from them upon her. Should she not
know them again. though they had
been closed in dust these twenty
years2 They were the same. Tthough
they looked not now from tho face OF
a bearded youth. but from that of n
fresh young maiden who spoke in
sweet. simple confidence that matched
her
Il am Rachel Guild" she said. IL
have wanted 10 come and see you for
e long time. You can think why.
dear Miss Ryerson. 1t is because ]
have heard SO much about my Uncle
Richard and l love him; il has made
me love you. too"
from those dear. those beautiful eyes!
Adeline Rycrson's hand fell from the
door. but she did not yet speak.
You know why l came tonight of
all Others" said Rachel. .All our
thoughts arc full OF Uncle Richard
now because tomorrow is Meporial
Day. We could not help thinking of
you. too. and l wanted Il see YOU"
A throb of joyful surprise shook
poor Adeline's heart. We're they
then. indeed. associating her still
with Richards memoIy? That was a
balm of soothing she could not resist.
Come I'M" she said to Rachel. Her
voice was weak and husky. 1t was
weeks since she had used 1t except in
talking to herself
Bat you were sitting in the door,"
said Rachel. ..and it Is SO sweet and
dewy out here. Let me bring this
chair here for you, and Twill sit on the
step here below. So"
Adeline like a child submitted TO her
arrangements. Every word and move
ment of this Young girl was SO
strangely. so swcetly acceptable to
her.
Il have been wanting to talk to you
like this for weeks" said Rachel. in
joyful content. bat, dear Miss Ryer.
son. j did lot come for myself to-
night. Father sent ne. He has re-
membered something Uncle Richard
wanted done. Father is sorry. very
1 sA-a -
to make over some land that ought to
have been yours. Father has sent me
with tho deed Here it is. He wants
You to take it as from Uncle Richards
hand"