Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-15


ticeable a curious change in my Uncle's man
ner. | scarcely observed it at the time, for
my heart was too full of other and pleaSanter
Impressions; but afteTward, when / came to
think it over, / remembered wildly what had
previously passed without remark. To begin
with. he looked at least ten years older His
old cheery laugh was gone: and his eyes had
hard far-away look. very different to their
former happy brightness. Sometimes, as we
sat together he would rise abruptly and pass
ont of the house. leaving the meal on the
table untouched. My aunt Eoemed to forget
her own trouble i'm watching his; and moth
ing could surpass the silent tenderness with
which she waited upon him, never breath
ing word Of her SOlicitude, but showing In
a hundred gentle ways her wifely sympathy
and devotion.
On the present occasion we breakfasted
very late: and as we sat, there came to us,
family waited over the distant mOOr.and,
the sound Of the church-belIs. Ny uncle
started, listened, and drew back his chair.
Then, before we could say word, he seized
his hat and left the house.
Cav after him, Hughw cried my aunt
adding quickly, Ma, stayl Maybe It's bet
ter to let 'un be. Oh, Hugh, Hugh, he never
been the same man since our Annie went
fra hamep'
And the tears streamed down her worn
cheeks as she spoke, anil her voice was
broken.
Don't fret, auntv' L said, gently. Pm
sure Annie is all right-indecd, you know
from her own letter that no harm has come
to her"
ppm nawt fretting for Annie, it's for faith
err was the reply. Il dawn't knaW what
there be upon his mind, but he's tarrble
changed; and what be WarSt, he won't speak
OF even tonne; but keeps it like a canker-
worm, a-gmaWing and eating ont his life l
were watching him just nav, and | NnaW'd
well what were passing through 'un's mind"
''What?'
First he saw thee dressed and start, and
thought haw his Annie tOO would be sitting,
ready for church o Sundays: and then the
bells sounded, and all the happy tim" cam
back upon poor fathers heart Oh, Ilughl
if you aud Annie had been different to one
another, father would ha' been happy still,
but | don't blame zee, lad-it were no fault
o. yOumT
But though she acquitted ne in words,
there was III a manner q certain dffectIon2tc
reprOach.
Aunt l said, Il would cut OFF my hand
TO put things right; but Annie never cared
for me, and =
paused awkWardly, knowing well that l
had never loved NY cousin.
''The LaWd viii punish her!' cried my
aunt, bitterly. III neer fOrgie her! If she
had stayed at hame like decent lass, it
would all ina come right i the end. But she
went wi scarce ward, and wherever she
be, the LaWd will punish hrrw
"Nay, nay" / said, rising and putting my
hand OH my amts shoulder, don't be hard
on poor Annie! She'll soon come back, and
then all will be explained"
My aunt's manner changed again, and the
tears stTeamed from her eyes anew.
"Oh, Hugh, my lad, think you our lassie
will eUer COON back?'
'Of course Twas but lass whm for
change; she'll soon tire and return. I'm sure
no harm has happened to her, and she was
always kind and loving"
Saw she were, Hugh, saw she were!
Hugh, will zee speak to father and try to
cheer 'un?'
[ nodded then STOPPING, | kissed my aunt
on the cheek The Sabbath bells still rung
from the distance, clearly and Sweetly. The
sun looked in through the window, and
sunbeam trembled on the paven floor
Shall you gaw to church, lad?" asked my
aunt, as | moved to the door.
Not to day" l replied. Pm going fCr a
walk on the moor"
She looked at me keenly, and | saw that
she guessed my secret; for the truth was [
was hoping aud praying to meet with Made
line. With heavy sigh, she turned away,
and began removing the breakfast things.
Once outside, l breathed again. 1t was a
calm, beautiful, sunny day, with just touch
OF frost in the clear sparkling air. Far away
the sea shOne like silver.
| heSitated a moment, then walked down
the road toward the lodge gate-toward the
very spot where, years before, l had first met
George Redruth. No one was about; Sab
bath stiffness lay everywhere; and the faint
sound Of the far-Off bells only rendered it
deeper
paused at the gate, and looked up the
avenue. There was no sign of any one. l
longed to walk right up to the great house
and inquire for her l sought: but lacked
the courage. What was l. a common over
seer of the mine, to go following the foot
steps of a proud lady? If could meet hos
by accident, good and well; but did not
wish even her to suspect that | was 50 anX-
lOus for the meeting.
Perhaps she had gone on to church. If so,
doubtless George Redruth was in her COM
pany. | fretted at the thought, and turned
away. At last, weary with waiting, deter
mined to seek forgetfulnesS IN a long walk
across the moor, such as | had told my aunt
l had intended to take.
Quitting the road, followed path which
led right over the open moorand in the di-
rectiOn of the sea. The air was full Of light
ness and sweetness; but my spirits by this
time had sunk to freeZing-pOnt. As 10 for
getting the one object of my thought that
was simply impossible My soul was full of
one image, which went with me at every
step took.
had wandered about mile when | per-
ceived, by the side of lonely mOorland tarn
one of those dark, turf-stained pools which
cast back the light like polished ebony, and
are often mysteriouSly deep-the figure of a
man. lie was sitting on a fragment of rock,
and looking at the water.
Coming up quickly, | recognized my uncle.
Our eyes met, but he did not speak. Turn
ing his head away, he looked down at the
tarn.
Why, uncle" l cried, u thought you
were at church,
Nav, lac" he answered, still with his
head averted; nav, lad, I were in nav
mood for to llneel and pray. came out var
ON the waste land, and l sat down var,
a-thinking"
/ put my hand upon his shoulder.
Uncle, you're not angry? With me, I
mean?'
Nav, lad, he replied, in the same low,
liStleSS tones. Il ha' no call to be angry,
least OF all Wi thee. Don't zee mind me-
gang your gait, and lea me here alawn.''
But remembered my promise to my aunt,
and was determined not 10 leave him so, So