New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-13

.aL,ro things as thny came. There was no en-
thusiasm but rather restraint IN his manner
more especially toward Joyce ,,-,,oo
The girl noticed IT, but even her small exper eioc
~ humankind had taught her that large laIr-
skinned men are often thus They are no. ue
ceux oui sexpliauent" but go through life piaciu-
ly leaving unsaid and undone many ,h"s' "''
some think they ought to say ana 40 - ..
After the first excitement Of the return was over
It became glarlngy apparent that Stepne IL n n,
arrived just in time. His mother zen in.o ppo
seep before sunset and when the active young
doctor came little later in the evening TIC '"
his head. 49,, .a
Yes he said. 81 see that she is asleep ana
quiet-tOO quiet. II Is foretaste Vi '"e'
sleep: some old people have It,. =.
For the first time Joyces courage seemed ~
give way When she had been alone sne mao
brave enough. but now that her pro, nisr ,,th
there womanlike she seemed to turn to nm WIN s
n sudden fear They stood side by side near ths
bed and the young doctor Involuntary watcneuu
them stephen had taken her hand In MS wiz,
that silent sympathy which was so natural anu
so eloquent He said nothing. this big sun -tahheo
youth: he did not even glance down at MS sistsi'
who stood small, soft-eyed and gentle AT ms aiu.
The doctor knew something OF. the history y,
the small family thus momentarily united ana
he had always feared that If stephen Leach did
return It would only Kill hie mother rms ihdeeu'
seemed to be the result about to follow
Presently the doctor took his leave. he was q
Young man engaged in getting together good
practice and in his own interest ne had Deeii
forced to give up waiting for his patients TO inish
dying J.. c.hr
II am glad you are here" he said TO stephen.
who accompanied him to the door 1T would NOT
do for your sister to be alone TINS may 80 o ioi
a couple of days"
II did not 20 on for a couple Of days. but Mrs
Leach lived through that night in the same semi
comatose state The two watchers sat IN her room
until .;upper-tirne when they left their mother IN
charge Of a hired nurse. whose services Joyce had
been forced TO seek. -. .
After supper Stephen Leach seemed at last TO
find his tongue and he talked in his quiet almost
,.oic oh n
about himself the past. but about joyce anu
the future In a deliberate busnessllke way ne
proceeded to Investigate the affairs OF the dying
woman and the prospects of her daughter III
word he asserted his authority as Drother' ana
Joyce was relieved and happy to obey MN;
1t is not in times Of gayety that friendsnlps ar.
formed, but in sorrow suspense. during tiidt
long evening this brother and sister suddehly pe-
came intimate. more so than months OF prospeILo
Gus Intercourse could have made them. Al ~
o'clock Stephen quietly insisted that joyce shouiu
go to bed while ne lay down. all dr'ssed' on the
sofa in the dining-rOOm
II shall Steep perfectly; 1t is not the irst tHe
have slept in my clothes" he said simply
They went upstairs together and told the nurse
Of this arrangement. Joyce remained TOT SoiI i
moments by the bedside watching her mothei
peaceful sleep, and when she turned she louhu
that Stephen had quietly slipped away. Nonder,
ing vaguely whether he had Intentionally soVsd
her difficulty as to the fraternal goodnight SIZE
went to her room.
The next morning Mrs Leach was fully con-
scious and appeared to be stronger nevertheiess.
she knew that the end was near she cailed nel
two children to her bedside. ana. turning hel
blind eyes toward them. spoke In broken SELL
fences: . -,
II am ready now am ready she SAID
"Dears am going to your fatnerI ar, ,.o,, To-
thank Cod l can tell him that have left you 70
gether always knew Stephen would come BACK
| found it written everywhere III the D'"'e'
Stephen--kiss me- dear
Tbe man leant over the bed and kissed her.
"Ahr she sighed "how wish could see you
lust once before die. Joyce,' she added sudden
Is turning to her daughter. who stood at the 0tieI
side of the bed. tell ne what he is like But |
know know feel it, Listen He Is tan
and spare like his father. His hair is black. IKE
his father's-it was black before he Went away.
His eyes. | know, are dark-almost DARK ne Is
pae-like Spaniard -
Joyce looked across the bed with SLOW horror
dawning in her face. looked into pair or olue
ewes beneath taWny hair, cut short, as a soidiel ,
hair should be. She looked upon man big broad,
fair-English from crown TO toe-and the quiet
command Of his lips and eyes made her say:
Yes mother yes. ~
stood pale and breathless wondering what this
might mean. Then the dying woman spoke again:
ste nSS ' arst-my first born. And now Joyce
and now kiss each other-across the ped;
/ want to hear 1t / want u 'e'
vour father"
With last effort she raised her hands, seeking
their heads At first Joyce hesitated, then she
leant forward, and the old womans chiiieu m
gers pressed their lips together That was the emu.
stood facing each other in the little dining room
He began his explanation at once.
''Stephen" he said, was shot-out there-as
traitor | could not tell her that. did not mean
TO do this but what else could do?"
He paused moved toward the door with that
strange hesitation which she hac noticed on ms
arrival At the door he turned. to justify himself
II still think" he said gravey, that II was the
best thing to do"
Joyce made no answer. The tears stood IN her
ewes There was something very pathetic in the
distress OF this strong man. facing. as II were an
emergency OF which he felt the delicacy TO be be-
yond his cleverness to handle.
Last night" he went on Il made all the neces-
sary arrangements for your future-Just as
stephen would have made them-as a brother
might have done. | He and l were
brother officers In very wild army Your
brother-was not good man. None of us We're.
His hand was on the door
He asked me to come and tell you he added
81 shall go back now.
They stood thus. he watching her face with his
honest soft blue eyes. she failing to meet his
glance.
MAY come back again." he asked suddenly.
she gave a little gasp but made no answer.
Il will come back IN six months" he announced
quietly and then he closed the door behind him.
-(Ienry Seton Merriman in The COrnhll
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EJOTEPS THAT ARE EATEN.