Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-08-12
'"HER DUTY"
10 was evening Tho mists were falling
Arrosa tba biIla ~ na,

10 was evening. Tho mists were fnlling
across tho hills Of Dartmoor.
A man sat on ono OF tho great granite
rocks that lay on tho top OF Daine Tor He
had been sitting there since midday. Ho
had watched tho sum as IL shono on tho
purple heather and green bracken; no had
watched tho cloud shadows as they wan
dered through the valleys and along tho
burns and streamlots.
The man had not enjoyed SO long u rest
OF undisturbod quiet for many years.
Away In the distance, when tho sun
shono ut midday, he had seen his homo, tho
home he'd inhabited for seven years. He
was never going 30 return 20 that home
and he smiled when he saw tho sunlight
strike tho windows Of tho great ugle build
Ing. For his home had'beon no COTTAGE;
1t had been ~ largo mansion, and he had
lived there In solitude, yet surrounded by
hundreds OF his fellow men.
At 8 o'clock tho moon lifted herself
above Hound Tor and nestled among q
few white cloudlets which hung around
her In tho east.
Yes, 1t was delightfully."- peaceful and
calm. There was only one thing no want
ed-a pipe of tobacco Ho laughed aloud
as the thought crossed his mind, for It
seemed queer want just then, but he had
not smoked n pipe for seven years
Seven years agol It 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 the
heather. Perhaps little Clo' was still at
Barber's cottagci It would DO good to 500
her again, and they could climb tho Tor
and lie amidst the heather just once more.
Yes, he would go and look for little Clo'.
There was light in the cottage win
dow. He opened tho door without knock
Ing. A woman rose from tho oak chair,
and started when she saw the man.
81 want little Clo'," he said, forgetting
now that seven years had passed since he
Last entered the homestead.
The woman regarded him attentively for
some minutes without speaking. Then
pushing q scat toward him: $50 you've
got away at lasts I guessed you'd tire O.
living there"-pointing south-"pretty
soon. But 1t ar'n't no use your a-oomin
here. You got yourself into tn mess, and
you'd better clear yourself II you can"
"Where be little Clo'r' tho man asked
again.
81 be littlo Clo', or loastways was lit
tie Clo' They don't call mo that name
now. Have you forgotten twas seven
years agof'
He sat down on the chair she had pushed
toward him and looked absently at the oil
lamp burning on the table
"Yes-I'd forgot-yes-you was little
Clio once. I'd forgot-I'd somehow ex-
pected to find her here still.-I wanted her
to come up and sit on Hound Tor, and
have 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-
Yes, answered tho woman, twas
silly" She stood by the open door, nerv-
ously smoothing her dress. The man let
his eyes wander around the room.
Things amt changed much-the chairs
and tables and ornament things, mean
but I can sec that she's gone; under
stand now. So you be woman-ay, and
a fine ono too. You amt married? ] won
der at that, thenl You ought ter have
married. Say, could you find a pipe9-any
old pipe-I s'pose mines lost No? That's
nice! l didn't 'spect to see him again
and tobaccoP knows your father always
smoked Pride o. Devon. Thanks" Ho
filled his pipe, and she noticed his fingers
trembled. She gave him light, and then
resumed her position by tho door.
"This Is like old times, almost-if only
little Clo' was here. 1 s'pose you couldn't
be little Clo' just for half an hour or So
sort of play actin at It, you knowP Forget
what 'er was likep Fancy that them
I remember we'll enough. s'pose you
think I'm a bad 'un. That's why you
don't speak to me. Perhaps am, but did
1t 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 while tho woman spoke
81 hear some one coming. If it's"-
"Your fatherp" the man interrupted.
81 hope it's him." He rose and advanced,
pipe in han1, toward tho door. At the
same moment q tall man In uniform and
carrying carbino In his hand appeared.
The woman fell back pace or two say
ing: "Yes, he's here. wasn't shelf ring
HIM
The two men looked at ono another for
q few seconds, then he In the uniform
spoke: Thought I'd find you here. No
use resisting-a couple more warders stand
ing outside. Come along, my beauty, back
to Princes Town"
"All right" he replied quietly, "but
just grant mo one favor; let me finish my
pipe my first for seven years" He laughed.
The warder, after moments hesitation,
acquiesced.
He finished his pipe and rose and hand
cd 1t to the woman. "Thank you. You
might keep 1t in memory of Jim Amerz
and little Clo'-and-I'm sorry I did
wrong-I'm sorry was too late to SEQ her
again"
The woman held tho door open for the
warder and the convict TO pass out "Al
right, I" she said. II am sorry for you, but
had to do my duty, you know. New
Budget.