The Democratic advocate., 1893-04-08

Httlt hedTb ielI feduJ ~ DTeak. Dut WHen,
discovering this, she made an effort, dried
her tears, and proposed in her weak voice
a game of "Reversi, he was quickly happy
once more.
His auxieties, however, revived when
the evening post brought a letter in blue
envelope-always blue envelopes for his
father, just returned from the town. Mr..
Saville was strong and muscular, and hith-
erto-by such self-control as Robin could
not conceive-he had seemed outwardy
cheerful. But now, having read this letter,
he sank into a chair, rested his head upon
his hand, and groaned aloud
care you getting i'll, too, father p asked
poor Robin timidly.
Mr. Sayile looked up, strangely haggard.
II did not see you, Robin. Run away.
my boy Run out and play in the garden
"lf you please, sir, the mistress heard
the postman, said Clara at the door.
81 will come to.her in moment said
Mr.. Savile
As the girl retired he fell upon his
knees
"My God, my God, why hast thou for
saken me y he moaned, half unconsciously.
echoing the sacred words.
Robin stole away, bewildered and
alarmed
"The garden" was only a grassplat
with a path and border, but it was better,
he thought than the house The long
summer day was closing; red sunset
frightened the sky beyond the meadows
Elsewhere, the light was softening; already
faint star twinkled above the gables Of
the Gentleman Opposite. Mr.. Cudds had
planted the border with white stocks.
Their fragrance seemed to blend with the
calm. The child stopped to inhale it.
Little Lad Little Lad said voice
just above whisper
The lady stood beside the wicket-gate.
Her cheeks burned like two deeply hued
carnations. She stretched cut her hand
and beckoned
"Quick I've not moment. They'll
miss me. Itold you I'd manage it. What
did he say, Little Lad? What did he
say ?"
"Little Lad was my great uncle said
Robin, musingly. "Ive found out that
For the moment he had forgotten his mes
sage.
"Did you ask him? Did you ask him
if he loved Isabel?" pursued the lady in
wild agitation. With one hand she drew
Robin nearer, the other she pressed to her
side.
aYes, l asked him. And he said, no,
no, no. He said he had been mad and
fool. He said, Tell her no, no, no, re-
peated Robin, the scene reviving
"Ah!' said the lady
She pressed her hand more tightly to
her side
"That was my soul, she said. ''It hut-
tered, and spread its wings Yes, felt
them. must see him. Imust see him =
she cried.
She looked hurriedly behind her The
many windows of the white house burned
like fires in the sunset But the road lay
empty and still.
They've not found out yet But they
viii soon, Little Lad, there's not mo-
; ment" She opened the small gate and
pulled him through.
"Take me to him, now, at once, she
said hYou took me that day-you led
me with your hot little hand; you said he
} wanted me; you led me down to the river,
where the boats were waiting under the
weeping ash. We left you behind on the
bank; we rowed away, away, he aud |, and
never saw your little bright face again
Why did you go in the large boat with the
Others? We looked round, and it was
upset, and you were lost But no--he
jumped out to save you Yes, remember
Has he hidden you all this time? But
come come
They were skirting the silent old house;
they had reached the lawn. At some dis
tance the old gentleman was strolling among
his standard rose trees.
The lady stopped short.
SEQ to him, Little Lad, she whispered
sSay Here she is. I've brought her
That was what you said before, you know
under the weeping-ash.
Robin ran across the soft turf His
hero stood unconscious, his back towards
them, inspecting a rose lately budded
The boy lightly touched the long hand.
''Here she is. I've brought her, he
repeated.
The soldierly figure turned.
Hector" !" cried the lady.
She looked young and light, ike girl.
She came swiftly over the grass.
The old gentleman said not word. But
soul of long ago, old no more, awakened,
and leaped into his black eyes.
Hector, you never said goodbye. They
told me you were gone But was watch
ing. Why did you never come to say
good-bye?4
A wild agony passed ike spasm across
the strong withered face. The lips moved
as if to speak But they uttered no sound.
'Ah, you're sorry = said the lady. "Yes.
| can see it. Her tone softened to an
ineffable tenderness; her eyes shone and
smiled.
II knew all the time that you would be
sorry-afterwards Yes, afterwards.
She paused and held out her hands
Quick steps resounded upon the gravel
beyond the house.
(which way?n cried harsh voice.
"Ah, they We missed me at last : she
said; and her hands fell.
The old gentleman strobe forward.
ruth = he cried. "Oh, | am not
worthy But-but-A-"
aNever mind, she said, smiling again,
as the hurried steps drew nearer, Il had
a great deal to ask you, Hector"
She stopped suddenly, looking up at the
sky. The soft radiance seemed reflected
in her eyes. She went on smiling
"But you shall tell me all about it there
she said, pointing straight above her;
sThere-there-t !"
Her voice was quite clear and calm, like
that to which she pointed. But another
instant, and clamor Of alarm, rcproach,
apology, had surrounded the little group.
Robin 5 old acquaintance and short