Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-09-08

screamed with it. A belated ground
squirrel rustled in the underbrush up
the bank, and she felt that all the ter
rors of the jungle were upon her.
sharp turn In the trail brought her
at last in view of the house, and the
welcome glimmer of light gave her a
little courage. She quickened her
steps still more in her eagerness, for
getting that the canon stream crossed
the road at the bend, and missing the
board, she stepped in ankle deep.
Even this she scarcely noticed, but
splashed on over the slippery stones. 1t
was only when she reached the gate,
breathless and dishevelled, that she
seemed to be able to think.
Il can't let Allen see me in this
plight" she said to herself HE would
ask all manner of questions, and not
be put Off, and | could not tell him
that. Oh, no, nor But just then
slight, youthful figure appeared at the
veranda steps, standing on crutches.
What makes you so awfully late,
mother?' he called to her. Il thought
you never would get here" and the
thin, complaining voice was even lit
is on one of his worst rampages, and is
mad as hops because dinner is late. |
was even afraid TO ask him to light the
lamp, and I've been sitting out here in
the dark for ages. if there's dish left
out there, it won't be his fault. Listen
to that" and just then tin pan SEEM
ed to go spinning across the kitchen.
Il am very sorry, my dear" said Mrs.
Livingstone, quietly; but | was detain-
ed by the engineer. He says the
thresher engine is broken, and he must
go to Seco Grande tomorrow for re-
pairs. Some of the men. were TO be
paid off, and l had their accounts to
look over. | will be glad when your
father gets home. Harvesting is too
important a time for me to be left
alone. Poor Allie! What torlorn
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 it UP more, dear, after 1t has
burned a little and tell Sing to have
dinner in five minutes. I'll be right
out" and she hurried to her room,
! leaving her son wondering vaguely
that his mothers hand should tremble
as she held the match, and secretly
wishing she had not left nm 10 lace
the irate Sing alone.
Allen Livingstone was seventeen, Dut
long accustomed TO have every wind
tempered for him. He was naturally
timid and not a little spoiled. MRS.
LIVINGSTONE lavished upon him that
yearning and passionate tenderness
that a hopelessly crippled child calls
forth from a mothers pity. lie was ae
once her idol and her sorrow, ana MS
slightest wish was law.
Dinner at the ranch house was even
more quiet than usual that evening;
Mrs Livingstone appeared quiet and
nreoccupied. while Allen fretted child
ishly over the rather warmed up ha'or
of things on the table.
The offending Chinaman came ana
went in sullen routine. After Ine Iol-
fee Mrs. Livingstone put her arm loV1
ingIy over her sons shoulders anu
they went out to the parlor thGs' >,
Il have a lovely scheme, deaies'' r
she said "While father IS ava! !
think it would be nice for you to come
over and sleep in your old room, ad-
Joining mine. 1t will be more soclaDie'
and we can play we are both younger
again. What do you think"
u don't mind" said Allen, lndf-
ferently. lighting a delicate cigarita:
The house was one of those primative
SDanish structures, built of adobe, one
story. and three sides facing an open
souare. very pleasant and artistic, win
the deem yerandas, vine covered ana
| COOL and the little court always full OF
flower and sunshine. but not so con-
venient and practical for every Jay
comfort as some more modern plans
for homes. The main part OF the house
is taken up by the living rooms, ieaVlng
the sleeping rooms in the wings ana
far separated.
II had been a 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 go across the
court. The boy was no longer baby,
he said. and he had always needed that
room for his own private use. He
wanted a place for his desk and his
books. and the big safe which held the
family valuables and often considera-
BILE sums in gold and silver, as he pre-
ferred to pay his men in coin rather
than by check in the usual way.
But his wife had never been recon-
ciled to having her delicate child out
of the sound of her voice at night, and
many a time had she stolen out in the
darkness to listen at his window to
see that her darling was sleeping well,
| and to indulge in a long moment OF
adoring worship, as she strained her
eyes to see the pale face on the pillow.
! 81 will go around the veranda, now.
dear" she said. as Allen smoked, "and
bring your things for the night. The
couch is very comfortable, and 1t will
be lovely to have you back"
The chill air struck her unpleasantly
as she opened the door. She shuddered
a little and drew her shawl closer.
"What a fog!" she exclaimed. "The
beans will be again delayed. It's worse
than the conflict of hay making and
showers In New England"
Coming out of her sons room a few
moments later, with her arms full OF
| his clothing, she was startled by
slight noise across the court. It SEEM
ed like some heavy thing dropped with
less sound than its weight would sug
gest. In the misty darkness she could
see nothing. Mary Livingstone was
known far and near as a woman of un-
bounded courage and self-reliance.
During her husbands frequent business
trips to San Francisco she stayed and
ruled the little kingdom like a queen.
Not man on the ranch but was glad