The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-01
AMBER.

renee Eendall-rone forever. As the cur
tain ceased swaying behind her the pen
dropped and John Sarles covered his face
with his hands.
he had been on the point Of sinking in
to the self imposed isolation Of a proud
morose nature when Amber came-Ana-
Der, the little daughter of MS only init
mate friend, who dying had intrusted her
to his care.
Soon the music of her laughter had
chased away the ghostly echoes from the
lonely old house, and the light of her happy
eyes Frightened every room. Her looks
strewed the tables, her flowers filled the
long. unused vases, her gowns made bits Of
color against the dark walls as she fitted
up stairs and down.
Gradually all became changed because
Of her. New furniture replaced the old,
new carpets covered the floors, the con-
servatory blossoned with rare plants and
a grand piano lit up dark recess Of the
library with its polished ivory and rose
wood.
By and by the little girl became a maid
en- to whom every door was open, and
whose smile was a favor which men con-
sidered as well nigh precious, and ali the
time that Amber was growing winsomc
and sweet and graceful John Sarles was
growing old and wrin killed. and gray. But
his heart was young as ever, and he loved
Amber with all the pent up force of his
that love, feeling that she could never
never be his.
One day a handsome boy Of good family
came to ask him for Amber hand. Poor
Johnl He gave his consent and his bless
ing as well. What else could he do, not
knowing but Amber loved him2 And
while the hoy was pleading his cause John
sat in his study with as bitter neartachs
as ever man had.
Presently the door opened, but he didn't
look up. And then came a sweet, sobbinR
voice and the pressure Of two soft arms
about his neck from behind
Oh, guardys guardy, arc you tired OF
me that you try to get rid of me sou
He was suffocating with surprise and Joy
and terror, but he managed to draw her
around where he could see her face, which
was rosy with bushes and persistently
averted.
"Amberr' he cried. "Tired Of you'll Want
to get rid of you, Amberr'
And then, treasured by his tone, she
burst out passionately;
Yes, you must be, else you a never sent
him to me when you know hate him
hate them all but your
He drew her down on his knee at that
and held her close in his trembling arms.
His face was near hers, but he did not kiss
her. He could only look at the sweet, wet
eyes and childlike mouth, the round, soft
cheek and gold brown hair, wondering,
doubling, hoping all at once-he could not
have told which the most of the three.
That was two years ago-twO blessed
years. Amber loved him, and Amber was
his wife.
But OF late a shadow had fallen between
them-the shadow of Lawrence Kendall.
He had grown cold and austere in his
manner, causing Amber many tears and
much worriment Once he had been posi-
lively harsh toward her. What else had ha
been tonight
Dear little Amberl He could feel the
tears in her eyes and the culver of her
mouth, though he could not see them.
All, iast wait till she came in tired and
cold and sleepy Then he would make all
right. She would forgive him-of course
she would, the darlingl And they would
be happy gain.
The freight would dance on her hair
and bring out the soft color ia her face
and she would laugh and smile in the old
joyous way. What a fool he had beeni
How oowardly and unreasonable to doubt
his innocent darling even for one momentl
Tt was o'clock, and Amber ought to
have been home an hour ago. What was
it made John start and pale and trembl8
as he glanced at the clOck2 Were bis fears
con1rned2 Had his doubts become truthe2
Harkl Was not that the sound Of a car
rage pausing at the curbing? What coca
stoned this unusual confusion in the hall
below?
John Sarles seized his crutch and limped
a few PAGES toward the door, but stopped
as it was flung open, and the figure of an
old serving man appeared on the threshold.
Master - he began.
John Sarles' lips moved, but no sound
passed them.
Master, I have come with sad news for
you There has been an accident The
horses ran away-and Miss Am ber'' -
He caught John as he resled and fell,
those agonized eyes, he concluded;
lis hurt seriously, but not fatally.
They have just brought her home "
Three months afterward, when bursting
buds and freshly sprouting grass pro
claimed that spring was at hand Amber
was carried into her husbands study and
propped up by pillows and cushions on the
sofa there. Her face had lost its roundness
and its dainty color and the beautiful
brown gold hair was cut close to her head
Presently he came and sat down on the
edge of the sofa-all their differences had
long since been made up-and took her
hands in his. There were tears in his eyes,
though Amber's were clear enough.
You dear old John, she said, smiling,
II believe you feel worse about it than
do .
He sobbed.
well, you needn It, you silly boy. " She
was silent moment ard then she said
musingly, Do you know, believe I'm
half glad
oh, my darling, to be lame all your
Hfer'
Yes, for don't you see We shall sym
pathize with one another more than We
ever have? And, Oh, john
Eyes, Amber %
81 never realized before how patient
and dear you were until I was hurt. I
think I love you better than ever, if that
can be, and am sure-quite, quite sure
that this has been a blessed lesson for both
of US. Aren't yOu2"
And john, in his newer and clearer wis
dom, dared not deny it. Waverley 11aga-