Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-07-02
HAND TO HAND.
By RsBrccA HARDING DAVIS.

ticked cheerfully the last hour Of daylight
away. A noise below broke the silence into
which they had fallen. The stairs were long
and rickety, and steps could Be heard creak-
ing from one flight to the other.
"It's Jack!n The major spoke hoarsely,
standing up He had been thinking 1t over
"a he sat. However false and disreputabls
his course had been since he was man, he at
least was right, he thought. in this act Of it
close
"'Nothing in his life 20 became him as the
ending Of it,'n he quoted to himself. "But
McMurray would call it theatrical trick"
Jack was at the street door; in few min
utes it would be too late. He thrust his
fingers into his pocket and secreted the little
vial in his palm. He went to tho door as II
10 close &c. At that moment Maddy caught
sight Of yellow bit Of writing ON tho hearth,
stopped, picked it up. She nodded as she
read it without surprise.
"His soni And Jack wants the old man
now to deny iti Not to stand in his wayp
The first hint about that poor white rabbit
Clara had turned her blood to gall. She was
suddenly bitter and unjust as death to Jack,
to whom she had given her whole life Of
patient, sweet tempered trust.
The steps came nearer. The poor old ma
jor backed toward the inner door, his un-
couth face white and wet. "I'm not well.
I'm going TO lie down on your bed. Take him
away with you, Maddy. can't see either Of
you tonight" Yet even then it gave him q
vague pleasure to hear how light and gay
and resolute the boys steps were.
Maddy came quietly between him and the
door. "No, we will both see this Jack, who
puts you out of his way"
The door opened. There was the old short,
stout built Jackl The old sturdy, honest face
under the same fur cap, the twitch in the
mouth ready to make joke at anybody or at
himself.
"why, Maddyl I did not hope to see you
here, little woman" giving her brotherly
shake Of the hand, and so fguratively setting
her aside. How the dull morbid shadows
that had filed the room crept aside before
himl Madeline felt that her life had been
but passionate dream. Practical, common
sense people on the same plane Of society saw
each other month ago in Chicago, and mar
ried nationally. And why should q prac-
tical, rational man cucumber himself with
this late discovered father, with his un-
doubtedly unwholesome fancies and STACEY
habitsl
"Maj Standish" - Jack with all his
hearty manner was embarrassed-"I came to
speak to YOU on business Of Importance. You
have no secrets from MaddyT
"Don't speak, boyl For Gods sake! In a
little while will set 1t all right Wait one
minuten retreating to the door.
''But won't wait" Jack had his hands
on the majors shoulders and forced him down
ON a chair. His face flushed as he spoke, and
his voice grew unsteady. "Look at this old
man, Madeline. Twenty years ago he came
here healthy, middle aged man, with a
comfortable living and son; boy that he
could have educated plainly and had to work
for him and be companion as he grew old.
But what does he do3 Puts the boy where he
will be tended like a prince, be clothed in
purple and fine linen, gives up his income to
him, while he--look at this cockloft, Maddyl
Iook-here!" He put his hand on the old
mans head and drew it through the thin
white hair Once or twice he began to speak,
but stopped. At last he said: II know the
shifts you have made to live, the insults you
bore, that / might sleep soft and live
warml It's well do know them all. You
will neves want the care Of q son again, SO
help me God"
Eyes, yes, knew you would say that, "
cried the major. "But Of what use was 1t
ala You have ruined yourself. I know
what am. Who told you thisf'
"a man who came from Virginia to find
you"
"What does he want"
"He would not tell me-" Proctors face
clouded. The majors quick eyes marked it.
"He has a warrant for me, I supposer sui
len and dogged.
II do not know. lie refused to give mt
any hint.
no use in their stirring up muddy
hat II
"But il it's criminal-let me alone, Jack
catching the young mans sleeve. "You shall
not drag yourself down for me. I'll not hav'
my whole life thwarted,n flercely.
Jacks answer was to glance around tn
poverty stricken garret, and at his owl
costly, quiet dress. The tears were in hi
eyes, "We're one now, come what will
father he said, quietly. THAT is the maj
at the door,"
The major went to open It, ''Ill balk ther
yet,n he muttered. "I'll not drag JAG
down. He came back in moment, a hug
yellow envelope in his hand. "He sent it i
q letter. A man can't be arrested by letter
It may ben--turning it over. "What's thi:
God bless my soul, what's this' Why, it's n
arrestI"
"Thank God for thatr muttered Procto
"Robert Standish is dead, jack" porin
and muttering over q parchment sheet.
SIS he sirF' indifferently. Jack was stan'
ing awkwardly alone, for Madeline, who
he had time to notice now, was engrossed
tying up some drawings Of hers, which 81
was going to take away with her. She Won
not leave one vestige OF herself In her
home. she thought The old man would {
with his son to the delicate little rosebud
q girl. As for her, what did it matter tn
she had no home, nobody on earth but ther
that her life had held nothing but theml
The drawings looked like masterpieces
art to Jack; he had heard Of Maddy's gentl
How cold and still she had grown in the
two yearsl 1t might be devotion to art a
TO her work. She looked as impassive q
distracted as if she had gone into Sol
height unknown to him, from whence S
would look down on all his fancies and his
Jack never remained long in doubt abe
anything.
GMaddy!n He crossed the hearth rug
the corner where she stood and took up
hand. 1.-The ring' It's gone"
Maddy glanced down carelessly. "Rii
Yes: remember now. That ring was
small. took it of long ago."
Jacks eyes twinkled; he held her WI
tight. "How long agoi Within the no
See how red and bruised the poor little hs
Isl"
The pity was too much for heroic Mad
She gave a sob, but held the tears back IN
wet, miserable eyes. Jack never knew In
his life how deep the bruise went when 7
ring came off. He looked at her stead
closer, closer; lifted the hurt hand till
breath touched it, then kissed it. Just a
used to kiss her lips long ago; as no man
touched them since; as they never woulC
kissed again.
She drew back. "You have no righ
play with me in that way.n At the first I
Of her altered voice, Jack stood startled
grave. "What d. you mean, Madelinei
need not feign that you did not know lo
you when went away two years ago"
"You were under no promise to
La, cioht HanrOdcl Y