Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-08-29
HER DUTY. "


across the hills Of Dartmoor.
A man sat on ons Of the great grant
rocks that lay on the top Of Daine Tor. II
had been sitting there since midday. II
had watched the sun ~ 1t shone on tn
purple heather and green brackcn; he hat
watched tho cloud shadows as they wan
dered through the valleys and along tn
burns and streamlcts.
The man had not enjoyed so long res
Of undisturbed quiet for many years,
Away in the distance, when the SUI
shono at midday he had seen his home, TIL
home he'd inhabited for seven years. ~
was never going to return to that home
and he smiled when no saw tho sunlight
strike the windows Of tho great ugly build
ing. For hts homo had been no cottage
II had been a large mansion, and he hat
lived there in solitude, yet surrounded BY
hundreds Of his fellow men.
AT o'clock the moon lifted herself
above Hound Tor and nestled among q
few white cloudets which hung around
her In tho cast.
Yes, it was delightfully."- peaceful and
calm Thoro was only one thing he want
ed--a Pipe OF tobacco 1Ie laughed aloud
ns tho thought crossed his mind for II
seemed queer want just then, but no had
not smoked n pipo for seven years.
Seven years ago 1t was near Hound
Tor, too, just those seven years ago that
no had smoked his last pipe and had his
last chat with little Clo', lying amidst tho
heather. Perhaps little Clio WINS still ut
Barber's cottagcl II would BIO good to soc
her again, and they could climb tho Tor
and lilo amidst the heather just once moro,
Yes, no would 60 and look for little Clio.
There was light In tho cottage win
dow He opened tho door without knock.
ing. A woman roso from the oak chair,
md started when she saw tho man.
II want little Clo'," ho said, forgetting
now that seven years had passed since he
last entered tho homestead.
Tho woman regarded him attontivcly for
some minutes without speaking. Thon
pushing scat toward him $50 you've
got away Mt lastp guessed you'd tire O.
living ere"--pointinR south" pretty
soon. But II arn't no uso your a-comln
here. You got yourself into tn mess, and
you'd better oloar yourself II you can"
"Whore DO little Clo'p tho man asked
again,
II be littlo Clo', or loastways l was lit.
Ito Clo' They don't call mo that nnmo
now. IIavo you forgotten twas seven
years ngot"
Ho sat down on tho chair she had pushe,.
toward him and looked absontly ut tho oil
lamp burning on tho table.
I "Yos--l'd forgot--yea--yo was little
Clio once ia forgot--I'd somehow OK
pooted to find her hero still wanted her
% como up ind SIT on Hound Tor, and
have chat while smoked my pipo--iust
M we usod---I mean ns sho and used ia
do But ia forgot; twas silly Of mo-.
"Ycs," answered the woman, " twas
silly" She stood by tho open door, norv.
ously smoothing her dress. Tho man lot
HIS oyos wander around tho room.
"Things ain 3 changed much--tho chairs
and tables and ornament things, l mean
but / can 500 that she's gone; undcr-
stand now. So you DO n woman--ay, and
flno ono too. You amt mnrriodP won.
dor Mt TINT, thonl You ought ter have
married Say, could you find n piper--any
old plpo-I s'poso mines lost. Nor That's
nice | didn't 'spoct TO 500 him again
and tobaooop knows your father always
smoked Pride o Devon Thanks" He
filled his pipe, and sho noticed his fingers
trombled. She gave him light. and thon
resumed her position by tho door,
"This IL like old times, almost--if only
little Clo' was hero. spose you oouldn't
DO little Clo' just for half nm hour or So
sort Of play actin ut II, you know Forget
what or was likep Fancy thar, thon!
l remember we'll enough. s'poso you
think I'm u bud 'un. That's why you
don'tsponk tome Perhaps am, but did
IL to save little Clio, though maybe you ve
a-forgotton that" IIo relnpsed into silence
and sat looking absontly ut tho old grand
fathers clock and pulling his pipe.
After n littlo whilo tho woman spoke.
II hear Some ono coming. If It's
"Your fathorY" tho man interrupted
II hope it's him." Ho roso and advanced
pipo In hand, toward tho door. At tho
Same moment II tall man In uniform and
carrying oarbino in his hand appeared
Tho woman foil back u pace or two, say
ing: "Yos, hos horo wasn't sholt ring
him.
Tho two mon looked at ono another for
u fow seconds then no In tho uniform
spoke; "1hought I'd find You hero. No
uso rosistinR-a couple moro warders stand
ing "u's'"N' '"'ho hionB ivy beauty, paok
to Princes Town"
"An right, no replied quietly, "but
just grant mo ono favor; let mo finish my
pipe my first for sovon years He laughed.
The wirrdor, after II momcnts hesitation,
acquicseod,
lilo finished his pipe and rose and hand.
cd 1t to tho woman. "rhnnk you. You
might kocp 1t In memory OF Jim Amcr2
and little Clo'-nnd--l'm sorry l did
wrong--l IN sorry l was too late to SEQ hon
again"
Tho woman held the door open for Tho
wardor and tho convict to pass out. IAN
right, sho said, Il am sorry for you, bu,
had to do my duty, you know. "--Now
Budget,
Win uas th, n{u...t nl,,toa