The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-11-20

York, 10 visit his aunt, to see society,
aud, by bis fathers express desire, 70
find wife.
Heart n hole, fancy free, he mipgles-
with the guests who gather at Mrs.
MARKHAM g. his aunt's; escorts his nreffs
cousin Mabel to opera, theatre, concert;
dances gracefully with one belle, take,
another out TO supper, makes himself
agreeable with a third on sie'S..-5,
party, escorts fourth for promenade,
and so on-sixth, seventh, eighth, num-
bers indefinite, coming under his care
pro TEN. but not one stirring his heart
a, Bab's cordial greeting did when ne
returned from college.
Bah! There is scarcely frolic OF his
lonely childhood that is not associated
with Bah. How many times has her
mother called him in from SNOWFALL
lighting or coasting frolic, 20 eat crisp,
hot doughnuts or gingerbread! How
many candy. pulls has he had with Bah at
one end OF the sweet, sticky mass and
himself at the other
Bah is not his ideal. That was tall,
stately, brunettel Bah is short, merry,
browb eyed and with hair Of FURNISHED
bronze that Malcolm irreverently calls
red. And then, although there is no
foolish pride about Malcolm, ne mas GER
tainly moved 10 more cultivated and re-
inpd social circles than Barbara ever
saw. lie wonders how Bah would look
in clouds Of tulle, her round white arms
circled with bracelets, her glorious hair
starred with gems, and mentally decides
that she would look Jolly"
A letter from home reached him III
the middle of November.
DEAR Mr.. MALcoLMi l think ought to
write you at.sut your pa. He wont com'
plain, and be apt TO say sick butt he's pin
Ing. and very wax. BsrbarI Crcft is hare
every day. reads to him. sings for him, plays
chess and brings him all sorts OK cool things
she cooks TO please his appetite. She's
the lest girl IN the world / think,
but she Amt like your pas owl. lie frets
for you though ho won't say 80. anl think,
Mr. Malcolm, IL ySS'li cXcuS, the liberty OF
my saying 40. the t!Sys is coming when you
will he glad il you com, home to cheer him.
Your obedient servant,
"MAUY CLARKE"
"My dear old dal!' thought Nal.
colin, tearing down stairs with the letter
in bis hand. Gle is sick | was afraid
he was last summer, aud here Eve been
fooling away for months while he has
been frettiug for mel
His remorsc was deeper than his neg
lect warranted, but he loved his father,
the ever indulgcnt friend of his life, his
one tie in the dear old bone. Aud so,
making graceful apologies 70 his aunt,
| he started ut once for DCcriieiI.
L. he
drove up to the door. aud through the
| window Malcolm cnuid rec the ruddy
| light from the CRATE, the deep arm chair
thc figure OF his father reclining there
But, pausing on tue porch, he saw more.
| He saw that tho dear face was hollow
eyed, hagcaid, feariully changed. III:
| saw trim little figure bending lovingly
over the sick man. CoaxIng him TO ea
the dainty luncheon ON the table beside
| hm. Aud he su" Bah more than once
draw back to hide Iuivcring lips au1
eyes filed with tears.
"IIow good she is," Malcolm thought
"to leave her bright Io ne, to comfort 6
lonely old man AMI he stepped soft
ly, not to disturb thu pretty scene, aad
weut to tae back door to send Mrs
Clarke to give notice of his arrival.
He was diappointed wicn he went in
tn find his father alone, but he forgot all
else in his sorrow at finding such ,
change in him.
"Why have you not scut for me be
fore,- S;! h%;asked, GeppggQqechehh l8ylus- YOU
visit, my dear boy. Your letters wer,
like gleaus OF sunshine; Bah real then
over and over to me, but would not let
any one write but myself, for fear o
troubling you"
"But you were loncly?'
eyes, very lonely, though Barbara
has been very kind. She is the gcnticst
OF nurses, the most patient Of com
panions,' then, little wistfuily "llavc
you no news for me, Malcolml'
'Nonc, but what have written"
81 so wish to see you settled in your
home, before c--l mcau, soon."
"MarrIcd! But il | fail tn find my
ideal"
"Ah, wc all fail in that"
"But father, you would not have m
clarry without lovci"
"Never!"
al saw nobody I Lowell in Ney
| York"
| "But, nearer homc!'
| Your tea is ready, Mr. Malcolm,
said Mrs. Clarke at the door, aad Nal
colin ohcyed the summons.
The subject was not renewed as fathe
and son sat far into the night conversiug
There were many matters needing super
7.-,Du, anu again Malcolm rcproachc(
himself that all the care Of the cstat
had fallen upon his fathers feeble
hands while he was pleasure seeking.
| "But will never leave him again,
he said to himself rs he assisted his faith
rr to his bedroom.
\ whole week passed busiiy. aud there
came few days nf warm weather. sucl
as November finds oitrn III her drcar,
weeks. BLrbar. was in the garden
Walking up and down, thinking.
or what! Of Mrs. ClprNc's announce
mcnt a whole week before that had sent
her sSurIying home like frightened
rabbit. Was Malcolm SD cnyrusscd witt,
his idea that h" In not even one hour