Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-10-15

shon6 &C midday, i6 had seen 1ss .IU1ne,sss1p
home he'd inhabited for seven years. Be
was never going to return to that home,
and no smiled when he saw the sunlight
strike the windows Of tho great ugly build
ing. For his home had been no cottage;
it had been a large mansion, and he had
lived there In solitude, yet surrounded BY
hundreds Of his fellow men. - - :
At 8 o'clock the moon lifted herself
above Hound Tor and nestled among 3
few white cloudlets which hung around
her in the east. s@ szz5.z. =. =
h. Yes, It was. delightful ly peaceful and
calm. There was only one thing he want
ed-a pipe Of tobacco. He laughed aloud
as the thought crossed his mind, for Il
seemed queer want just then, but. he had
not smoked pipe for seven years. IL
: Seven years ago! It was near Hound
Tor, too, just those seven years ago that
he had smoked his last pipe and had his
last chat with little Clo', lying amidst the
heather. Perhaps little Clo' was still at
Barber's cottage! 1t would be good to sec
her again, and they could climb tho Tor
and lie amidst the heather just once more.
Yes, he would 60 and look for little Clo'.
There was light in the cottage win
dow. He opened the door without knock
ing. A woman rose from the oak chair,
and started when she saw tho man.
II want little Clio, - he said, forgetting
now that seven years had passed since he
last entered the homestead.
Tho woman regarded him attentively for
some minutes without speaking. Then
pushing a seat toward him: $50 you've
got away at lastf Iguessed you'd tire O.
living re''-pointing south-ttpretty
soon. But it ar'n't no use your a-comin
here. You got yourself into tn mess, and
you'd better clear yourself IL you can. u
"Where be little Clo'f" tho man asked
again.
II DO little Clo',. or leastways was lit
Ito Clio. They don't call mo that name
now. Have you forgotten twas seven
years ago."
He sat down on the chair sho had pushed
toward him and looked absently at the oil
lamp burning on the table.
"Yes-I'd forgot-yes-you was little
Clo' once. I'd forgot-Id somehow cx-
pected to find her here still wanted her
to come up and sit ON Hound Tor, and
have a chat while smoked my pipe-just
as we used-I mean as she and used to
do. But I'd forgot; twas silly of me-
| Eyes," answered the woman, twas
silly" She stood by the open door, nerv-
ously smoothing her dress. Tho man let
his eyes wander around the room.
| Things ain t changed 1nuch-tho chairs
and tables and ornament things, I mean
but can see that she's gone; under
stand now. So you be woman-ay, and
q fine one too. You amt married? I won
der at that, then! You ought ter have
married. Say, could you find a pipe?-any
old pipe-I s'pose mines lost. No? That 8
1 n%Sn0 1~>S% %o I,
and tobacco? 1 knows your father always
filed his pipe, and she noticed his fingers
trembled. She gave him a light. and then
resumed her position by the door,
"This is like old times, almost-if only
little Clo' was here. s'poso you couldn't
be little Clo' just for half an hour or So
sort of play actin at it, you know? Forget
what 'er was like? Fancy that, then!
remember we'll enough. I s'pose you
think I'm bad 'un. That's why you
don't speak to me. Perhaps am, but did
it to save little Clo', though maybe you've
a-forgotten that" He relapsed into silence
and sat looking absently at the old grand
fathers clock and putting his pipe.
After little whilc tho woman spoke.
II hear some one coming. If it's''-
| "YOur father?' the man interrupted.
II hope it's him." He rose and advanced,
pipo in hand, toward the door, At the
same moment a tall man in uniform and
carrying a carbine in his hand appeared.
The woman fell back pace or two, gay
Ing: Yes, he's here. wasn't shelf ring
| him"-
The two men looked at one another fol
a few seconds, then he in the uniform
spoke: "Thought I'd find you here. No
use resisting-a couple moro warders stand
ing outside. Come along my beauty, back
to Princes Town.
| 'tsAl right: he replied quietly, "but
just grant me one favor; let me finish my
pipe. my first for seven years." He laughed.
The warder, after moments hesitation,
aoquiesced.
He finished his pipe and rose and hand.
cd it to the woman. "Thank you. You
might keep it in memory of Jim Anerz
and little Clo'-and-I'm sorry I did
wrong-l'm sorry was too late to see he,
again.
The woman held tho door open for the
warder and the convict to pass out. "All
right, y she said. 81 am sorry for you,- bnt
| had to do my duty, you know Now
Budget.