The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-06-27

had never spoken TO him again. If the
two CHANGED to meet on home visits they
avoided each other, and neither Miss
Ann nor the judge deemed il best 10 no
tice their avertcd eyes. Under stresl
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 upol
this subject often with Henry, but he
always answered that he could not he
reroncilcd 10 one who did not wish rec
o]nciliation.
Gerard knew that the attitude of the
n injured had been his. After that
last interview there was no rcproach in
his brothers manner, simply a waiting
for such confession as was his due II
receive. Gerard's stubborn pride had
refused this cunfeSsion-but he was
making il TO himself now with a bitter
sense that wrong-doing brought the
heaviest penalty on the wrong-docr.
Surely llenry'a life could not he NOR.
empty of something to be desired than
WAS his own.
\ door closed 50 softly that he did
rot connect the sound with entrance.
He heard the pitcous whine of = dog in
the hal! outside, and knew that Shcp
was mourning the stillcd hand and
voic" OF his master. lie turned to quiet
the animal. as though sound could dis.
turb the slccpcr's eternal calm. and saw
ms brother standing inside the o
with hands full of lilies OF the valley.
II had been some time since they had
Mct. 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. She3
whincd again, more insist"ntly. Henry
spoke through the closed door. His voice
partoOk OF the hush in the dim roOrr,
hut both heard the patter of soft dog
feet turning obcdicntly 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 rcmembranccs of
some boys searching for these same
blossoms along the sunny slopes of i
I garden wall. and shouting over each
fragrant token of spring as only chit
drcn with the seasons freshness thrill.
ing every pulse can shout. The feel
ing of old comradcship svellcd up in
his heart, brcakin" down the last bar.
ricr which was keeping him afar froa,
that still presence. lie went quickly
forward, and bent over the coffin 4
face in which every best emotion strug.
@lcd for the mastery.
Henry did not lift his face from that
fine Old coUntcHance, touched with the
Unreasonable dignity of death. yet
holding such scmblancc of life that It
seemed those closed lashes must Iifc
and the sealed lips speak. Alock of the
thin white hair had fallen over the
forehead, and Gerard put it rcvcrently
into place. The motion stirred Henry
10 perception of a difference in the man
standing opposite. He looked up and
their eyes met in Il way that brough.
their hands together.
Again Shep whincd at the door. 4
woman's voice spoke sharply to him
from the landing. Mrs. Gerard wax
ccming downstairs. and she dislikcd
dogs. Shops feet battered SLOWLY
away TO the s~itting-room where Mrs.
Ann still sat with the judges picture
on her lap. In the darkencd parlor.
amid the hush and perfume OF rare
blossoms. the brothers bowed with
claspcd hands over the open coffin,
and the aged face within seemed rap
turous in its divine content.-Spring-
field Republican.