The National tribune., 1895-04-25

"But when? Annette demanded, with
flash of triumph in her eyes.
Tonight. The sooner the better, since
it must be-"
But don't understand. Where shall
meet your"
81 have thought of that. There are three
large oak trees on the river bank, about half
mile on the other side of the town. BE
there at 10 o'clock, and / can take you in
my skiff to the opposite bank. Then can
hail an up-river boat. Stay anywhere you
like until then, and don't dare to mention
my name"
AND Colin turned his face toward the
home that was soon to be his no more. The
afternoon was growing late. The sunset
was spreading wonderful, wild wings of
light that scared and floated over the dead,
unchanging flats beyond. Golden ripples
streamed over the grass and water, and the
geese gabbled noisily as they filed home
from the clear pools.
Lucy heard the click of the gate and ran
out to meet him according to her usual Gus
tom, with Jacky t0ddling after her.
For the last time,n said Colin to him
self
"Did you remember to mail my letter,
GEAR = aSReu Lucy.
Letter? WHAT letter? Oh, yes?"
"Colin," she pursued, hanging on his arm
"did you know the English daisies are
blooming? Come. and I'll show you a
clump of them. Here, beside the rosebush
aren't they pretty? Jacky's sharp eyes
spied them-mamna's smart little mani"
AS she stood there, prattling to Colin OF
the roses they must ".set out" in the Au-
Tnz ~ l. CAL nnnt
pleaded, Take upt Take up." SO he had
to be hoisted upon the broad shoulder,
where he sat delighted, clutching his
fathers curly hair 10
swell, come in to supper" said Lucy.
An unseen spectator had been watching
them behind the thick screen Of the Chero-
kee hedge.
"Silly little chit! she sneered, thinking
when she saw Lucy of her own superb
beauty, that had made her seem to be a
woman to be worshiped.
Then her glance fell upon the child with
his little silky, yellow head, and wondering
blue eyes, and the sturdy legs tramping so
bravely after his mother. She thought of
her own child, whose little feet had never
learned to walk, and of her wild grief, as un-
reasoning and shOrt-lived as that OF an ami
NAL, at its death. Something like sob
swelled in her throat
=" If he had lived! Oh, my baby! would
have been good woman" she murmured.
The agony of mind was strong upon her as
she turned away with an unsteady step.
Like one in a dream Colin watched his
busy little housewife bustling about the
room, tying on Jacky's apron and setting
him in his high chair.
His gaze moved slowly over everything
in the room-his favorite chair, the white
curtains stirring softly in the wind, the set
Ter puppy hopefully humping his feathery
tail on the floor, the fireplace filed with
cedar boughs, and the high mantelpiece with
the vases upon it, and the clock, whose busy
ticking seemed to him like a voice that was
fastening on to the end of story oft told
and wearisome.
This was a picture he must fix In his mind,
that he might have it before him in the years
that were TO come.
al know what you are looking at, Colin,"
remarked Lucy, her eyes following the di-
rection of his. "YOu are wondering what
has become of the old peacock-feather fan.
.Jacky got hold of it, somehow, and gave it
to the puppy, and between them they tore it
to pieces"
al dave it to puppy" echoed Jacky, beat
ing triumphantly on the table with his
spoon until his mother imprisoned the
chubby hand.
Colin essayed smile with his dry lips.
AS he pushed back his chair and rose from
the table, he said: az forgot to tell you,
Lucy, that have to go across the river to-
night to see Toland on business, and shan't
be able to get back until tomorrow"
"Oh, Colin," cried Lucy, mournfully, II
hate so to have You stay out all night I'm
always afraid that something will happen to
yon-that will never see you again"
"Well, / needn't go until-until 10
o'clock"
Jacky, who was always unpleasantly wide
awake in the evening, was allowed to sit up
in honor Of his fathers unexpected depart
ure Lucy sat beside her husband with her
hands clasped around his arm, talking in
her simple way, but he scarcely heard her.
His heart was fulp of the many things he
wished TO say to her before they parted for
ever, yet he dare not speak any last words.
His flesh quivered whenever the clock struck.
Presently he sprang to his feet, not daring
to stay any longer.
al must go, Lucy" he said.
"You1l come home early in the morning,
won't you, Colin, dear?n she asked.
"Yes, I'll come home early"
"And / must bring you a thicker coat to
wear" added the thoughtful wife; because
it may turn chilly"
He took her in his arms and pressed her
close against his heart. He looked at the
bright hair lying upon his breast for the
last time. Then he kissed the child, who
glanced up carelessly and then went back to
his playthings as his father passed out at
the door.
But when Colin was half way down the
garden path he suddenly returned.
Have you forgotten anything, dear ?"
Lucy asked.
"My-my stick" be stammered.
"May be it's in the corner-why, You
silly fellow, you have it under your arm"
she laughed, her pretty face sparkling with
smiles ut his stupidity.
Colin stood in the middle of the room
looking haggsrdly about him. He gave
second embrace TO his wife, and without
looking at Jacky he plunged out into the
night.
Lucy held up Jacky at the door that he