The Van Buren press., 1894-08-18

Stlaa," said Agatha, after seconoine
Silss' remarks by numerous shakes Of
the head, which set her curls In mo-
tion; II should never think, even goin'
through 1t, that 1t was to be Office OF
a mandatory. That po'celain sink
he wanted in that back room some
might take for 'sperimentin'-I dunno.
o. course them open hreplaces In what
looks like his office and private rooms
more for ornament than anythin' else.
But we'll know Ii time, pa We've
waited So long, and II won't be many
days now and Agatha's hand closed
on letter Id her pocket, received that
afternoon.
IL think" said Silas, that big new
room upstairs In the main house will
make fine chamber for silly. 1t over
looks all his old ha'nts down by the
river, and through the medders, n
I'm glad we decided to have q fire!
place in that, he seems 80 fond OF EN-
In his offices. tell yer, Agathy, them
blue eyes er hisn will open up 1T the
new main house. Reckon he didn't
plan on sich Improvement But we
can keep secret too, can't we. Aga.
thy7" and Silas deep-set eyes shone,
and Agatha's curls shook almost mer.
rily.
The tenth OF August was a perfect
day. and the evening sky was glorious
with fluffy clouds amid the rosy lighta
Of the dying day. Silss and Agatha
Baldwin sat on the new porch appar-
emily calm, although Agatha's rocking.
chair displayed its usual signal Of agi.
tation, and Silas occasionally walked
across the porch, and then down to the
gate, and looked up the road.
"Stage leetle late, Silas?" ques-
toned Agatha, at length. They had
ceased to talk. Words seemed useless
II dunno. Seems ez how It must be.
Most anythin' good nd seem late ter.
night"
"I'll step in and light up now, l
guess" said Agatha, rising; and Silas
followed for no especial reason. The
stage from Westlea was late, and 1t
was dark before the rattle of its
wheels was heard along the road. 1t
stopped by the house, as Silas and
Agatha hastcned to throw open the
door. and peered ont Into the dark
ness. seeing nothing. Then an mex
plainable feeling held them to the
porch, as they heard voices from the
stage. They would have their greet
ing after 1t had driven away, but Silss'
shaking voice spoke notwithstanding:
us that you, Sily?"
"Yes, father, In a moment" came =
strong mans voice, and the two old
people grasped each Others hand. The
gate was pushed open just then, and
up the short plank walk ran little
child followed by another Of the same
size. ''Is this g'anpa?' said the first;
rs this g'anmn?" said the second, and
before the old people could move, the
two little children had climbed the
step to their side and put up their lit
tie hands for greeting, and exclaimed
in chorus. Use Aggie;" use little
Sily."
"Yes, father" said his sons voice
that moment, entering the porch with
a pale little woman on his arm, 'it's
all true. This is your daughter Mary,
and this is my investment have come
to carry on
Agatha Baldwin's face was on her
husbands shoulder. Silas with his
hands behind him, looked straight be-
fore him at his son, then at the woman
by his side; then at the two children
who had run bertl to their father and
mother, awed by their reception. Then
Silas spoke.
"Sily boy, fore Heaven and all that's
good. is-this all right? All as-it
should be?"
Young Silas Baldwin left his wife's
side, who had grown paler, and step
ping close to his father and mother he
took hand of each be fore replying.
"Father-mother, before Heaven
and all that is good, it is all right; 10
all that it should be. You know told
you that your boy silly was odd, but
that he was not bad. And now have
you not welcome for your daughter
Mary, for Aggie and little silly and for
your son?'
"And it's all right, silly, boy, it's all
right" said Silas that evening a score
of times, "and these uns are Aggie
and little Sily," as he sat with one on
each knee, upon my soul! who'd
a-known they wasn't both boys or
both gals, In their dresses! An. Mary,
pr'aps l amt treated you decent, but
you see / amt used to havin a daugh.
ter; but nobody could be gladden."
and, bending over her, he gave her .
tender kiss which proved seal OF
mutual affection. His son Silas ex.
planned his position. His first year in
the west had been an unsuccessful
search for successful opening. Then
when It came and he was established
on a small salary he fell in love with
Mary Grey. There was promise Of ad-
and Mary and he we're per-
suaded they could be happy together
on but little. So 1t proved, even after
the twins came. For Mary, small and
frail as she was, was true helpmeet
In courage and encouragement, and
he often felt If it were not for the
bright home of two rooms, poorly but
cheerily furnished, TO which he re-
turned at night, met by loving well
come and little warm arms, he should
have gone sdrift. He had kept the
from his parents at first
like the odd boy he was, know
ing that he could not explain sat-
Then 1t grew easy not
to mention 1t, to write seldom
and to deal in generalities. But when
he saw the climate Of White Springs
leaving its marks on Mary, her face
becoming pale and her manner list
less, he began to bestir himself. OPP
portunities occurred, advantageous to