Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-05-06


home whose shelter he had spurned in
his hot boyish resentment ten years.
ago. 1t grew to the proportions of a
of the wheels on the graveled drive
burnie touchingly helpless group.
Ida, as tall and stately as some pure
white Easter lily, Ninette, his own lit
tie daughter, all a-hutter with faunt-
ing ribbons and crisp embroideries,
clinging to Ida's black draperies, and
old Dido, the old nanny who had
rocked him to sleep in her withered
arms so many, many times in the long
ago.
They were waiting for him, watching
for him-glad of his homecoming. eager
for his housekeeping.
He groaned aloud, and dropped his
head upon his breast.
as that all there is of them? Moore
asked, looking out at the small feminine
group.
THAT is all"
mo men folks but vou2"
None"
"1t's hard lines, no mistake. wish
1t wasn't me that had to take you away
from them again tomorrow. Hanged
if ever had rougher job put on me. !"
SIT is creditable to you to feel so. ]
am obliged to you"
''Oh, as for that, it's natural to sup
pose that anybody in my line of bust
ness is brute; but if you can think of
any way in which can soften this con-
sistcntly with my duty, command me"
II cannot think at ALL" said Sibley,
leaning back among the noth-eaten
cushions of the old family coach, with u
groan of helpless wretchedness.
II have it!' said Moore, brislkly. 81
am a man prospecting for land. You
kindly gave me n lift this far. Your
man puts you out at the front door and
drives away with me. He can hide me
somewhere. The day after the-after
the"
THE funeral is set for tomorrow"
said Sibley, steadily. 1.-THE boat that
brought us up returns from Vieksburg
tomorrow night. will be there"
81 will trust you! never felt surer
of a man since went into the bust
ness"
THANK you"
They were at the front door. Cato
Viz" up "kGAA JGEAs OAD1Gy 1Gb
self out, and, giving Cato an order In a
low tone, turned slowly and hesitating.
ly towards the little group in the door.
| way.
Moore's device had given him a respite
only-a very short one at that. Ida's
arms were about him. Her wet cheek
lay against his. Dido's soba were ring
ing in his ears. Ninette was standing
| shyly aloof, looking on with grave won
| der at this dismal scene of welcome.
"Auntie!" she spoke presently, sharp,
| rebuking words. ''you said my papa war
coming to make us all glad and happy
lie has come, and you aud mammy Dido
do nothing but cry and wipe your eyes
on your handkerchiefs. Is that my
papa?"
Sibley put Ida away from him and
turned towards the small faultfinder
He held out his hands.
us that my Ninette? Do you MT :
member me, child? Have you not {.
faintest recollection of mo? No love +
all to give me2''
At each yearning question Nincttt
shook her small golden head in grave
eyed negation Then, In rapid cres
| cendo:--
81 remember my Norrie! remembel
Uncle John, and Dick, and RATE, and
and Celeste. But you-never! Aunti,
Ida said my papa was tho most beauH
full man In the world. She showed m,
his picture, and made me kiss ii every
day, and taught me to pray God bles'
my pape' every night. But you dom
look one bit like my papa's picture; no
me tiny little speck."
He drew back his suppliant hands.
"Let her be-" he said, as Dido whis
pcred reproach in her pink ear. lie
her continue to worship the unrea
father you have all made her acquaintec
with. Where does our father lie, Ida?
Ida turned, and, with her hand rest
ing upon his arm, led the way toward
the drawing-room, where all that wa
left of Ames Fairbanks lay in stat,
upon a velvet-draped couch.
Mechanically she gave him all tn
drcary particulars of those last days
They stood on opposite sides of tn
still form, scarcely less responsive nov
than it had been all these years.
But oh. Sib," she burst forth, sol
bingly, lit Is awful not to be able t
miss him moreI feel as II ho had bee
dead all these years, lying here waitin.
for sepulture. / am so tired, Siblay, 6
tired of my loneliness. of my horribl
feeling of responsibility for everything
SO tired of having no one but Dido an
Cato to consult with. Sometimes, bu
that was before Ninette came. 1 hav
wondered how l managed to keep sant
have envied the negroes in the cabin.
because they worked In gangs and So
about their cabin-doors of evenings,
j groups. friendly groups, who helpe
each other to talk and to sing and
laugh"
II my poor, poor little Idal" He cam
around to where she stood and folde
? her tenderly in his arms.
Her eyes grew luminous. II was G
. | sweet TO be caressed, to be cared for, t
? be pitied even by ones very own.
But 1t will be difficult now-nov
D that you have come back to live Oh
Sib, have wanted you so, all thes
yearsl feel as II mountain were lif
3 ed from my breast. Poor. poor fatherl
} She turned toward the sheeted fac