Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-02-25
CHAPTER XIII.


"Comei Come!r'
Chow easy it seems for noble souls to
be noblew thought |. as followed Padi-
ham up the neat staircase Of his House
of Charity. What beautiful Tenge-
ance it is of this man upon nature for
blighting him. A meaner being would
be soured and turn cynic, and perhaps
shuckle that others We're equalized with
him by suffering. He simply, and as If
it were matter of course, gives himself
to battling sorrow and blight 1t is God
like. And | looked with renewed ad-
miration at the strange figure climbing
the stairs before me
He was all head and shoulders, and
his motions were like clumsy chiIds.
l wen. alowly after him. Was it true
that ms long Iove-chase over land and
sea was st its ending? Was this grim
dwarf u i.e a conjurer Of happiness?
PadlhaM tapped at 4 door in the upper
story.
A voice said, "Come in"
Her voicel That sweet, sad voicei
That unmurmuring, unrebellious voice!
That voice of gentle defiance, speaking
soul impregnable, How full Of calm
hopefulnessl while yet could detect in
it the power of bursting into all the hor-
ror Of that dread scream that had come
through the stiffness to our camp at
Fort Bridger.
The dwarf opened the door quietly.
The suniIine of that fresh June morn
ing lay bright upon the roses in the win
dow. Mr.. Clitheroe was sitting up in
bed, lifting a teacup with his left hand.
His long, white beard drifted over the
cool -bedclothes. An appetizing break
fast, neatly servesi, was upon table be-
side him. and there in this safe haven,
lowering about him tenderly as ever in
the days of his errant voyaging in the
hapless time gone by, was his minister
ing angel. that dear daughter, the sister
Of my choice.
She turned as we entered.
The old, steady, faithful look in the
gray eyes. The same pale, saddened
beauty. The unblenching gaze of patient
waiting.
She looked at me vaguely, while life
paused one pulse. Then, us | stepped
forward, the eloquent blood gushed into
her face-for she knew that the friend
could not long outrun the lover. She
sprang into my arms. Forgive me, John
Brent, If did put my lips close to her
burning cheek It WAS only to whisper,
He is in London searching for you. He
has never rested one moment since yon
We're lost to us. In an hour he viii be
here
There is hanson cab horse, now or
late Of London, who must remember me
with asperity
But then there is cabman who is my
friend for life, if a giant fare can win a
cabman's heart.
BY the side Of the remembrance Of
my gallop down Luggernel alley have
a picture in my mind Of myself, in a
cab cutting furiously through the can
yons of London in chase of lover. The
wolves and coyotes of the by streets
there are no antelopes in London-did
not attempt to follow our headlong
speed. We ratified across Westminster
bridge, up Whitehall, and SO into May
Fair to Lady Biddulph's door,
The footman-why did he grin when
he a;lw me?-recognized me as the fam
lily friend Of yesterday, and ushered me
without ceremony into the breakfast
room, where the family were all assem-
bled.
Why did the footman grin? l per-
ceived. as l entered. A mirror fronted
me. My face was like Siouxs in his
war paint. There had been flies in Padi-
hams shop, and | had brushed them
away from my face, alasl with hands
blackened over the lathe.
All looked up amazed at this truculent
intruder 1t was:
Enter Orlando, with his sword
drawn
''Forbear, and eat no morew
An injunction not necessary for poor
Brent, who sat dreary and listless.
The rest forbore at my apparition.
Egg spoon paused at eggs mouth. Sugar
sank to the floor Of coffee cup. Toast
silenced its crackle.
Brent recognized me in the grimy
pirate before him.
He sprang to his feet. NYou have
/ found herr' cried he.
Yes
He looked at me eagerly.
''Well and happy" said; sin safe
haven with faithful friend. Lady
Biddulph will pardon me, bringing such
! tidings, for rushing in in my war paint,
American fashion"
You are always welcome, Mr.. Wade,
in what costume you please, said she.
"Doubly 50 with this happy news. My
dear Ellenl must see her at once-as
soon as closer friends have had their
hour But, Mr.. Brent, you are not go
ing without your breakfastp
Everybody smiled.
"Comel Gomez cried Brent.
Gomez and as we hurried away there
was again the same light in his eye-the
same life and ardor in his whole being
as when iii that wild Love-C Chase on the
plains we galloped side by side.
THE END.