Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-09-14
THE GHOSTS EYES.

aSUs nOUeEt LiVin8stono was Q
woman Of superb dignity. Yet any
one Of her city friends would scarce.
" have recognized her In the rather
clumsy figure running and stumbling
up the rough canon road that led
from the lower bonn field to the
ranch house. Her black skirts were
not held up, but allowed to trail a
little and catch the fine dust and
tar weed stain % she hurried on.
Nothing Of trifiing Importance could
have forced Mary Livingstone thus
fer 70 forget her elegant self, even
alone In Y canon.
The fog was coming up from the
ssa and slowly closing In and deepen
ing the shadows Of the gorge. 1t
was already late twilight, and the
loneliness and gloom Of the place tor.
cured her over tense nerves. A little
owl dew with . shrill scream over
her head, and she screamed with u.
A belatsd ground squirrel rustlsd In
the underbrush up the bank, and
che felt that ell the terrors Of the
jungle were upon her.
A sharp turn In the trail brought
her Ut last In view OF the house and
the welcome gli,nmer Of light gave
her little courage. She Qulckened
her steps still more In her eagsrness,
forgetting that the canon stream
crossed the road at the bend, and,
missing the board. she stepped In an.
kle deep. Even this she scarcely
aoticed, but splashed on over the
slippery stones. 70 was only when
she reached the gate, breathless and
disheveled, that she seemed to be
able TO think.
II can't let Allen see me In this
plight" she sud to hsrsef. He
would ask all manner Of questions
and not bs put of, and I could not
tell him that. Oh, no, mol" But
just then slight, youthful figure ap.
psared ct the veranda steps, stand.
Ing vn crutches.
What makes you 20 awfully late,
mothsr?" he called out to her. II
thought You never would get here,
and the thin, complaining voice was
even . little more impatient than
usual. Sing 10 on one Of his worst
rampages and 10 mad 40 hops because
dinner 10 late. ! was even afraid to
ask him to light the lamp and I've
been sitting out here In the dark for
ages. II there's . dish left out there
1t won't be his fault. Listen to that!'
and just then . tin pan seemed
to 60 spinning across the kitchen.
II am very sorry, my DEAR" said
Mrs Livingston, quietlyf but l was
detained by the engineer. He says
the thresher engine IL broken, and
he must 60 to Seco Grande to.mor.
row for repairs. Some Of the men
were to be paid OIL. and I had their
accounts to look over. Twill be glad
when your father gets home. Har.
vesting IL too important time for
me to be loft alone. Poor Allie.
What forlorn time you've had
Come In and we'll make up for It,"
and she preceded him into the dark
little parlor.
Quickly lighting the lamp. she
said: Turn 1t up more, dear, after
1t has burned D little, and tell Sing
to have dinner In five minutes. III
bs right out" and she hurried to her
room, leaving her ron wondering
vaguely that his mothers hand
should tremble ~ she held the match,
and secretly Wishing she had not left
him to face the irats Sing alone.
Allen Livingstone was II, but long
accustomed to having every wind
tempered for him, he was naturally
timid and not little spoiled. Mrs.
Livlngstonl lavishsd upon him thu.
yearning and tenderness that
hopelessly crippled child calls forth
from . mothers pity. He was ct
once her idol and her sorrow and his
slightest wish was law.
Dinner At the ranch house was
even more quiet than usual that even.
Ing. Mrs. Livingstone appeared tired
and preoccupied. while Allen iretked
childishly over the rather warmed up
favor OF things on the table,
The offending Chinese came and
went In sullen routine. After the
coffee, Mrs. Livingstone put her arm
lovingly over her sons shoulders and
they went out to the parlor thus.
~ have lovely scheme, dearest"
she said. "While father Is away !
think 1t would be nice for you TO
come over and sleep In your old
room adjoining mine. 1t will be more
sociable and We Gun play We IRE both
young again. What do you think +?
II don't mind it. "saidAllen, indif-
lighting q delicate cigarita.
The house was one OF those primi.
tive Spanish structures, built OF
adobe, one story and three sides facing
an open squars-very pleasant and
artistic with the deep verandas, vine.
covered aud cool, and the little court
always full OF flowers aud sunshine,
but not 20 convenient and practical
for everyday comforts as some more
modern plans for homes. The main
part Of the house is taken up by tho
living rooms, leaving the sleeping
rooms in the wings and far sepa.
rated.
1t had been 0 trying time for Mrs.
Livingstone, when her husband had
insisted that Allen should give up
his little bedroom next to theirs,
which he had always occupied. and
90 across the court. The boy was no
longer Q baby, he said, and he had
always needed that room for his own
private use. He wanted Q place for
his desk and books and the big safe
which held the family valuAbles and
often considerable sums Of gold and
silver. - he preferred to pay his men