Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-06-25

had never spoken to him again. III the
| two CHANGED to meet on home visits they
avoided each other, and neither Miss
Ann nor the judge deemed it best to no-
tice their averted eyes. Under stress
of such emotion as these sad hours
aroused, Miss Ann, for the first time,
had spoken to Gerard of the long es-
| arrangement. She had touched upon
this subject often with Henry, but he
always answered that he could not be
reconciled to one who did not wish rec
onciliation.
Gerard knew that the attitude of tho
one injured had been his. After that
last interview there was no reproach in
his brothers manner, simply a waiting
for such confession as was his due to
receive. Gerard's stubborn pride had
refused this confession-but he was
making it to himself now with a bitter
sense that wrong-doing brought the
! heaviest penalty on the wrong-doer.
Surely Henry's life could not be more
empty of something to be desired than
was his own.
A door closed so softly that he did
rot connect the sound with entrance.
He heard the piteous whine of dog in
the hall outside, and knew that Shep
was mourning the stilled hand and
voice OF his master. He turned to quiet
the animal, as though sound could dis.
turb the sleeper's eternal calm, and saw
his brother standing inside the room
with hands full of lilies of the valley.
1t had been some time since they had
met. With a kind of shock Gerard
noted the slight stoop of shoulders, the
eyes specialized from close study, the
hair beginning to turn gray. But
Henry noticed the others air of in
creased prosperity rather than the few
wrinkles upon the handsome face. Shep
whined again, more insistently. Henry
spoke through the closed door. His voice
partook of the hush in the dim room,
but both heard the patter of soft dog
feet turning obediently away.
The elder man went around to the
further side of the coffin and placed
the lilies upon the white satin pillow.
To Gerard came vivid remembrances Of
some boys searching for these Same
blossoms along the sunny slopes of il
garden wall, and shouting over each
fragrant token Of spring rs only chill.
dren with the seasons freshness thrill
ing every pulse can shout. The feel.
ing of old comradeship swelled up in
his heart, breaking down the last bar,
rier which was keeping him afar from
that still presence. He went quickly
forward, and bent over the coffin q
face in which every best emotion strug
gled for the mastery.
Henry did not lift his face from that
fine old countenance, touched with the
unreasonable dignity of death, yet
holding such semblance of life that il
seemed those closed lashes must lift
and the sealed lips speak. A lock of the
thin white hair had fallen over the
forehead, and Gerard put it reverently
into place. The motion stirred Henry
to perception of difference in the man
standing opposite. He looked up and
their eyes met in q way that brough.
their hands together.
Again Shep whined at the door. A
woman's voice spoke sharply to him
from the landing. Mrs. Gerard was
coming downstairs, and she dislikcd
dogs. Shops feet battered slowly
away to the ,sitting-room where Mrs
Ann still sat with the judges picture
on her lap. In the darkened parlor
amid the hush and perfume of rars
blossoms, the brothers bowed with
clasped hands over the open coffin
and the aged face within seemed rap.
turous in it's divine content.-Spring.
field Republican.