The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-08
HER DUTY"

It was evening. The nists were falling
across the hills of Dartmoor.
A man sat on one of the great granite
rocks that lay on the top of Dame Tor. He
had been sitting there since midday. He
had watched the sun as it shone on the
purple heather and green bracken; he had
watched the cloud shadows as they wan
dered through the valleys and along the
burns and streamlets
The man had not enjoyed so long a rest
of undisturbed quiet for many years.
Away in the distance, when the sun
shone at midday, he had seen his home, the
home he'd inhabited for seven years. BE
was never going to return to that home,
and he smiled when he saw the sunlight
strike the windows of the great ugly build
ing. For his home had been no cottage;
it had been large mansion, and he had
lived there in solitude, yet surrounded by
hundreds of his fellow men.
At o'clock the moon lifted herself
above Hound Tor and nestled among a
few white cloudlets which hung around
her in the east.
Yes, it was delightfully."- peaceful and
calm. There was only one thing he want
ed-a pipe of tobacco. He laughed aloud
as the thought crossed his mind, for it
seemed queer want just then, but he had
y
Seven years agol 1t was near Hound
Tor, too, just those seven years ago that
he had smoked his last pipe and had his
last chat with little Clo', lying amidst the
heather. Perhaps little Clio was still at
Barber's cottage! 1t would be good to see
her again, and they could climb the Tor
and lie amidst the heather just once more.
Yes, be would go and look for little Clo'.
There was a light in the cottage win
dow. He opened the door without knock
ing. A woman rose from the 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 a seat toward him: $50 you've
got away at last? | guessed you'd tire O.
living there"-pointing south-'pretty
soon. But it arm no use your a-comin
here You got yourself into tn mess, and
you'd better clear yourself if you can"
"Where be little CIo'f'' the man asked
again.
tie Clio. They don't call me that name
now. Have you forgotten twas seven
years agO?''
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
Co once. I'd forgot-I'd somehow ex-
pected to find her here still wanted her
to come up and sit on Hound Tor, and
have a chat while l smoked my pipe-just
as we used-I mean as she and 1 used to
do. But I'd forgot; twas silly of me-
YES answered the 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 [ can see that she's gone; 1 under
| stand now. So you be a woman-ay, and
| fine one too. You amt married? I won
der at that, thenl You ought ter have
married. Say, could you find pipe?-any
old pipe-I s'pose mines lost. No? That's
nice! I didn't 'spect to see him again
and tobacco2 knows your father always
| smoked Pride O. Devon Thanks" He
| filed his pipe, and she noticed his fingers
trembled. She gave him light. and then
resumed her position by the door.
| ''This is like old times, almost-if only
| little Clo' was here. 1 s'pose you couldn't
| be little Clio just for half an hour or So
sort of play actin at it, you know? Forget
what 'er was like? Fancy that, thenl
| I remember we'll enough. s'pose you
| think m a bad 'un. That's why you
don speak to me. Perhaps I am. but L did
it to save little Clo' though maybe you've
| a-forgotten that" He relapse0 into Silence
| and sat looking absently at the old grand
fathers clock and putting his pipe.
After little while the woman spoke.
81 hear some one coming. If it's
''Your father" the man interrupted.
"I hope it's him" He rose and advanced,
pipe in hand, toward the door At the
same moment tall man il uniform and
| carrying a carbine in his hand appeared.
The woman fell back a pace or two, say
ing: Eyes, he's here. wasn't shelf ring
HIM
The two men looked at one another for
| a 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.
''Au right he replied quietly, "but
just grant me one favor; let me finish my
/ pipe, my first for seven years. He laughed.
The warder, after moment hesitation,
acquiesced.
He finished his pipe and rose and hand
! ed it to the woman. s'Thank you. You
might keep it in memory Of Jim Amerz
and little Clo'-and-I'm sorry 1 did
wrong-I'm sorry was too late to see her
again.
The woman held the door open for the
warder and the convict to pass out. can
right, she said. 81 am sorry for you, but
had to do my duty, you know. New
Budget.