Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-05-16
Letter What letter? Oh, yes.'

a clump of them. Here, beside the rose
bush--aren't they pretty? Jacky's
sharp eyes spied them-mamma's smart
little man I
AS she stood there pratting to Colin
of the roses they must set out in the
autumn. Jacky tugged at his fathers
coat, and pleaded, Take up Take up!
So he had to be hoisted upon the broad
shoulder, where he sat deligted, clutch
ing his fathers curly hair.
We'll, come in to supper said Lucy.
An unseen spector had been watch
ing them behind the thick screen of the
Cherokee hedge.
silly little chit she sneered, think
ing when she saw Lucy of her own su-
perb beauty, chat had made her seem
woman to be worshipped.
Then her glance fell upon the child
with his little silky, yellow head, and
wondering blue eyes, and the sturdy
legs tramping so brave after his mother.
She thought of her own child, whose
little feet had meyer learned to walk, ,and
of her wild grief, as unreasoning and
short lived as that of an animal at its
death. Something like a sob swelled
in her throat.
If he had lived Oh, my badly! l
would have been a good woman, she
murmured.
This agony Of mind was strong upon
her as she turned away with an unsteady
step.
Like one in dream Colin watched
his busy little housewife bustling about
the room, tying on Jacky's apron and
setting him in his high chair.
Y know what you are looking at,
Colin,' remarked Lucy. her eyes follow.
ing the direction of his, you are Won
dering what has become Of the old pea.
cock-feather fan. Jacky got hold oft,
somehow. and gave it to the puppy,and
between them they tore it to pieces
u gave it to puppy echoed Jacky,
beating 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: u forgot to tell
you, Lucy, that l 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,
u hate 20 to nave you stay out all night.
I'm always afraid that something will
happen to you-that l will never see
you again.
Well, needn't 60 until-until 10
o'clock.
u must go, Lucy he said.
You'll come home early in the morn.
ing, won't you, Colin, dear p 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.
>Haye you forgotten anything, dear?
Lucy asked.
My.-my stick he 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 at his stupidity.
Colin stood in the middle Of the room
looking haggard]y about him. He gave
a second embrace to his wife, and with
out looking at Jacky he plunged out in
to the night.
Lucy held up Jacky at the door, that
he might see how the eaping ray of the
lantern sprang forward into the dark
ness.
rDere's-my-papa,' Colin heard the
little voice cry out, and he knew that
the chubby little fo"ehnger was pointing
after him.
>Papa's gone Papa's gone! said Lu'
cy, in the singsong tone supposed to be
soothing to the infant mind and Colin
heard the door shut. 1t had closed for
ever between him and them.
He stopped short in the middle of the
road.
>Oh, God l can't leave them he
ca IL u,;t n ooh