The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-08-06

she, Mollies"
The miners idea Of the proper founda-
ton for coniugal happiness arrested
ROYALS attention. il threw "a new light
on his own affair He knew himself
that he had been held back from telling
the story 10 Phyllis by other conside-a-
tions than fear Of her anger. She would
understand that, too, II the past But
now that she was better, now that the
cure was well nigh complete. continued
silence would be open to nliSconstEuction.
lie had sent his horse to the stable an
hour before By the ubiquitous boy who
haunts street corners. and instead ot
going home he turned aside from the
main street and walked oyer 10 u new
portion of the city building out on the
hills. Here the electric lights Were fewer
and the streets les frequentei. On every
hand tasteful cottages already stood IN
pretty yards or were III process Of erec-
ton. These were homes for men whose
desires and incomes We're both moderate.
Royal sauntered along until he reached
a corner lot on which stood a Queen
Anne cottage, newly finished, and IA
fresh and clean as rain washed grass.
| The little yard had been leveled and
| turfed, and was inclosed by an iron rail
/ ing, and two small cottonwoods had
been planted near the little porch. Royal
| opened the gate and entered with the
| air of proprietor. 1t was his own, the
nest he had built for his Virginia mock
| ing bird. and to which he hoped TO
| proudly bring her when all things should
be Strengthened out between them.
The erection and furnishing Of the
little home had filled the months for
him and helped him over the disappOint-
ment of not going east in the spring, ~
he had intended. The settlement of the
estate had been Ierforce postponed,
owing to the serious illness Of the exec
| utor, which incapacitated him for bust
ness. He would not have allowed that
to interfere with his plans, however, but
Mrs. Hart had written advising him TO
delay his coming until she should give
the word, for Phyllis would prefer that
he should not join her until she should
be permanently released from a dark
ened room and quite herself again.
1t had been worded very delicately
and the letter had been a monument to
Mrs. Harris tact and diplomacy; but to
Royal it had seemed singular and had
hurt him not little. His wife did not
want him, that was evident, and he had
obeyed, feeling at disadvantage, but
too proud to thrust himself Upon her.
He had in a measure lost sight of John
Royals part in the affair, and had come
to regard it as pertaining only to Phyllis
and himself.
He took key from his pocket, entered
the house, and turned on the lights,
! passing from room to room. 1t was
4 tastefully furnished, for his sister had
helped him, jesting slyly the while about
his obvious intention. He had told her
, of his love for woman in the east, and
0 she, knowing little, imagined much, and
a considered the whole affair as settled
p She entered into the house plans with
n enthusiasm, and impaired to her hus.
q band, in the sacredness of conjugal con
fidence and sworn secrecy, that she be
n heved, she truly did, that Hart would
g be married within the year.
One little room, opening out from the
Il chamber and intended for his wife's spe
+ cial sanctum, Royal had fitted up him
n self, remembering faithfully all the
things he had ever heard Phyllis say she
n liked, and arranging them for her with
/ his own hands. He went strai :5lt TO this
, room now. and for many moments stood
: and looked about, trying to imagine tie
d change it would make when she should
e be sitting in the low chair by the open
( fireplace, which he had put in to remind
h her of Virginia, or resting on the sofa
rs which he was sure must stand just al
If tha anpln n nlaaaa hnr, with thA light o.
n the window shaded from her eyes and Z
e tiny table near for books or work bas
ket. He moved about gently, like a mar
d in sacred place, and thought loving
l. reverent, loyal thoughts, as became
pI true man. He would not sit down no
y take liberties with the place-althougl
ID she had never entered it. In his mind i
n was her sanctuary, with which he ha(
ii nothing to do until she herself should
l make him welcome.
ID He went out presently, shutting the
door gently, as though afraid of disturb
o. ing some one. Then he turned off tn
lights, locked the door, said word t
- the Waterman of the square, who wa
as outside awaiting developments, and be
IL took himself home to his sisters house
o As he opened the door his ears wer
% assailed with the sound of lamentation
and he discovered his youngest nice
prone on her face on the hall floor. Fl
picked her up and comforted her TIL
90 baby put her arms around his neck an
nestled her wet cheek against his. a
Ae she did so a letter slipped from her apro
- and fell at his feet.
10 Whats this, Daisy?' he questioned
If STOPPING for the letter and seeking t
NJ divert her attention.
- Zoo lefty" sobbed the little one
~ "baby fess it to zoo, and her fallde
~ down.
II poor baby. There, there, don't CT
N, any more" turning the letter to look a
Oh the address, and slipping it in his pocket
vt Jack and Jill never thought of such
"a thing as crying when they tumble
i. down and cracked their crowns. An
III Jill was little tot no bigger than you,
gs which was applicable, but not accordin
- to the text Come into the Office an
ali let uncle patch you up and find 70
~ something"
"a ''Tandy:"-with visibly brightenin
va atmosphere.
Royal laughed, and bore her off on hi
of shoulder to his own particular den.
De Later he examined his letter. Their
We're many closely written pages troI
n Mrs. Hart; but these he laid aside
!, bouncing on little note inclesed, til
at first he had ever had from Phyllis.
iii was a tiny sheet covered with a doze
an lines or so in pencil, and commence
IL with quaint formality:
Mt DEAR DR.. RoYAI--Ihis is my first attempt
L., writing for-I am afraid 10 say how many year
40 and am as proud peacock to be allowed
KS write at all Have been promoted to gogglir
O blue glasses-very enjoyable, but hideously u
ad nocomlng. winch at the present juncture is OF
to myself. 10 longer need to borrow 9th
Nd peoples eyes. And-oorne home soon 10