The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-06-27
a RECONCILIATION.
BY MARY CLARKE HUNTINGTON.

The grass in the front yard had been
newly mown, lending an added trim
ness to the well-kept place. Tulips in
the borders on either side the long
gravel walk made riotous patches Of
color under the morning sun Sugges-
ton of Lilies of the valley driftcd from
The south garden wall. Above the open
front door tail lilac bushes touched
tops, and the heavy odor of their bios
sens spilled itself upon the hush that
seemed 10 hang over everything.
In the instant during which he
glanced about the familiar surround
ings this hush smote kccniy upon the
senses Of the mar descending from the
rickety stage. but he turned with an
unchanged face 10 assist his companion
il aiighting. She vas 4 tall. wrll-buiit
woman of So. whose eyes and mouth
betrayed habitual dissatisfaction. and
whose vivid coloring was set off TO adj
vantage by her fashionable black. She
kept step with him as they went up the
walk.
Il feel quite tumbled to pieces from
driving three miles in thar d"moralizin%
stare. Il is ridiculous that the people
here in bloomington 90 not insist upon
1 better conveyance from the station
to the Center. ItI positively Il pcnance
to have to come here"
She spoke ~pctulantIy. glancing at
her husband as though he Were to
blame 70" the occasion that had brought
them. He did not seem to hear, and
from an irritated desire to gain his at
tcntion. she went on: do tell me,
Gerard. if / am all in a muss."
You can go at once to your room
ard attend to your toilet" was his
brusque reply. Then he went eagerly
up the steps to meet an elderly woman
who appeared in the doorway.
AUNT Ann" lie stopped to kiss her,
still keeping her hand.
His wife held out the tips of immac-
ulately-gIored fingers. and. only waiting
for affirmative answer to question as to
their room being ready. swept her soft
draperies upstairs. Miss Ann Boynton
LED the way into the sitting-room. and
sank upon the long haircloth-covcrcd
sofa. Gerard took a large chair oppo-
site.
Il began TO fear you were not COM
ing" she said. TREMENDOUSLY.
Only Illness would have kept me
from coming. Your telegram reached
ne duly, hut Marguerite thought il nee
es>ary to order new black. and that de-
l#yed me-" There was a ring of impa-
thence in his voice as he said this. is
there not something | can do? Are all
preparations made"
AL"
al what hour is it to be-"
AT three this afternoon"
81 ordered some flowers sent on"
They have come. and are arranged.
viii you see them"
He made an almost woman;sh gesture
of dissent.
The sweetness of lilac bloom filled the
silence that fell between them. Gerard
remembered many springs ago of pick
ing every blossom. and cutting the
bushes, which were slender then. as
whips for himself and Henry. Despite
his two years juniority he was ever the
one who rushed first into forbidden
things. JIe remembered also the pun
ishmeHt that fOlloweG-as ii usually
did follow his many needless acts of
mischief-and of how. while he was still
smarting from acquaintance with the
lilac whips which he had unwittingly
for his own undoing. his father had
sought him again, and holding his hot.
wet, angry face against a broad shout
der whispered how sorry he was TO
have to punish his little boy-whis-
pered also of n circus in town the next
day. and that he and Henry might go.
Then he remembered walking down
tLroughtheo orchard with small clinging
fingers clasped in large tender ones. and
tears dried by happy certainty that
after all his father was the best father
in the world.
The blur passed from his eyes. and
he found himself looking at a picture
hung above the sofa in an oval frame.
II had been taken during early man
hood, but Gerard could trace strong re-
.semLlance TO the face last turned TO
him in fatherly welcome. Beside it
was the picture of q pretty Young
oman with flowing curis-his mother.
She had died while he was very young.
leaving him only n dream-like recol-
lection of kisses and soothings. and
touch of loose hair against his cheek.
Aunt Ann was the only mother he had
known. She, seeing now where his