The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-23

from?" he shouted, in surprise. Tho MT.
ter Inconsistencies of every ono ant
everything else around him was on hi,
broad hearty face. He shook her hant
hard. "Wcll, I'd as soon thought o.
finding needle In haystack as look
ing to meet you this way"
II saw these horses, and I Ind &c
speak to them. They looked just like
Thomas to me-" sbc said, looking ~
him with glistcning eyes.
'Well, l should think thcy would
long rs you rid behind them with him. y
GLOW arc all the folks out our wayf
Is there any news?"
81 suppose you know about our old
place, don't your
IL know it's sold. l got the papers
yesterday" She took out her handlScr-
chief and wiped her eyes.
Yes; but have you heard what
great improvements hos going to
malsc?"
mo; amt seen nobody from out
there since the funeral till now"
"Why, he's going to move q way the
old house and build big new one
biggest one anywhere around, they
say"
She put out one of her hands rs if to
find support. Going to move away the
old houscv
Eyes; l suppose he'll use it to make
moro shed room. It'll brighten up the
old place considerable. won't it?''
Eyes, it will brighten up the old
place considerable, She repeated after
him. "Are you going out homo now?''
"Well, in about an hour or so. have
some flour and things to get; then I'm
ready. Any word you'd like to send?"
~ was thinking if you'd take me out
with you, I'd like to go and see the old
place again. I'd like to sec it before
it's moved away"
"Why, yes, I'll be glad to take you,
and Mrs. Hcnning will be glad to have
you make us u visit, know. I'll stop
around for you on my way out, shall -"
Eyes. I'll be all ready when you
como by"
1t was tho middle of May, and the
cherrytrecs were in full bloom, and
the apple buds were pink. Out into the
spring sweetness, thrusting her poor
old heart into the past, she went, much
against Matic's desire and her own
better judgment.
since, in the happiness of long con-
tentment, she had driven over that
same road with Thomas. And now
she was going out to the old home for
the last time. She would never go
again. Perhaps after this things
would begin to seem different, and she
would begin to be thankful. There
was so much for which she should be
thankful.
1t was long ride, and she was very
tired. TWAS dark when they finally
came out into IAN opening beyond q
lalf-circlc of woods
Mr.. Hcnning pointed off across n
meadow, where n light twinklcd
brightly.
81 suppose you know who re you are
now?" he asked.
That's your house. and here's ours
Iwant to stop. want to get out and
go in"
ooh, 1 wouldn't stop here tonight.
It's late, and you're tired. You wait
till morn ing, and Mrs. Hcnning will
come over with YOU"
"No, want to stop now. II
couldn't go by and ot."
MI. HcnuluS uc pcu uer out, ana SAT
waiting for her in the wagon while she
went in through the little gate and be-
tween the lilac bushes alone.
A little old weather beaten house,
half covered with honeysuckles and
Virginia crccpers. A deep grassy yard.
An old home that through forty years
of shade and shine had held the hearts
love of this one lone old woman. She
pushed open the unlocked door and
went in.
Everything was in it's place. The
clock licked on the mantle and the
kettle was boiling on the hearth.
Thomas old hat and coat hung on
their accustomed hook by the othc,
door, and Thomas looked up and
smiled at her from his chair by tho
window, as lie had done in those last
days. There was no emptiness to hcl
in those bare rooms. All the reality
life had ever held for her, or ever
could hold for her, was here.
After awhile Mr. Henning called t.
her, and finally came up the path ant
led her away. Gertrude Smith, il
| uarpcr's Bnzar.
AN ELOQUENT AGENT.