Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-08-21

followed her.
1t was ridiculous for this stout CAPT
ialist to have so sore heart. Moth
ing had happened. His children were
well and happy and kind. Here was
the splendid room with the Corots
and Fortunys on the wall, and the
table glittering with cut glass and
| silver.
But pictures and goblets are poor
! company.
/ A few minutes later a telegram was
brought in. He glanced at it and
gave a whistle. 1t certainly was an
odd coincidence
Just when he had been thinging Of
the old place in Jersey, here was a
message calling him TO il. Mr.. Lynn
| still owned the mill and farm, and
Frew, his agent. wired him to come
down next morning Oh special bus
iness.
The business was Of small account,
Of course A telegram could settle it
but, the old place. And tomorrow W
would be his birthday.
He wished he could tell the children
Of the queer coincidence. But what
would they care? He rose with long
breath.
Pack my bag, Lewis he said,
"and il Miss Lynn should ask for me
tomorrow tell her have been called
out OF town.
The rain was falling in torrents the
next day as the train rushed along
the sandy ledgeS below Seagirt, the
pine woods on one side and the vast
heaving water on the other. 1t was
nearly noon when he reached the lit
tie station. Aaron, with his lean gray
horse and ragged wagon, crept in
sight as the train pulled away. The
old fellow looked just as he did when
the children used 10 make fun of him
and Polly would silence them. 1t was
Polly who gave him that very over
coat that he had on, ten years ago.
Mr.. Frew sent your
Aaron nodded, and grunted out
some remark on the storm. 1t seem ed
to Mr.. Lynn that he had heard those
very words thousand times before
How often he had logged along thin
beach behind the old marel
Nothing was changed. There was
Doctor Roden in his buggy with the
same patched bad. Van Storm had
had his field in corn this year, but
Hills, the blacksmith, had put up a
porch to his house.
AS they drove past the marshes
along the great road, two OF the old
neighbors passed. and laughingly, as
il he had been gone but week o.
two.
Had he been gone long? 1t seemed
as if he might wake up and find him.
self going home from the mill with
Polly at the door and the children be
side her. waiting for him.
There was the house now, with the
well at the side and the big walnut
tree, and-why! there was smoke
coming from the big chimney, and a
glow OF fire shining throught the
windows into the cold air.
"Who has Frew put into the house?'
he shouted angrily to deaf Aaron,
who nodded and turned the mare up
to the door.
1t opened. Was that his wife Polly
in the braided merino gown he used
TO like so much, and her white apron
and her hair tucked back She was
waving both hands and laughing
and she ran to open the door Of the
wagon.
Polly! Oh, my dear, is it you? /
thought-you are so like your
mother.
He grew blind for a moment as he
stood on the ground.
She had him in her arms and gave
him what she used to call when she
was a little child a real Christmas
hug. Come in. come in" she cried,
dragging him along. Here is Joe
piling up the fire, and there is old
Susy in the kitchen just as she used
to be. And the turkey is nearly
ready, and the table is laid. did it.
Do YOU see all the old china and
mothers spoons? This is your birth
day party dear. | thought Of it, but
Joe carried it all out"
Joe came up. and stood beside his
father. He had on suit OF rough
clothes. gray just now with wood
ashes. The young social philosopher
laughed rather sheepishly rs a man
does when trying to express feeling
How do you do, Sir?' he said,
shaking hands.
Come in" She pulled him gently
through the hall. There was the
table just as Polly used to lay it, with
the bunch OF lilies in the middle. and
his big chair by the fire and his warm
jacket and slippers.
Il don't understand, Margaret
Peggy dear"
"Yes. kept all those things, the
Jacket and all. | did not like to lose
hold OF the old time. 1t was so good
And dear"-the tears ran over heI
cheeks.
Il did not think you cared-eithei
of YOU" stammered their father, look
ing from one 10 the other.
NO. We did not understand each
other up in town, so Joe and
thought that down here" She
made him sit down in his old chair
and drawing his head close to heI