Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-10-24


sun was rising in golden splendor. MAX
ing glittering pathway across the
waves. straight to the cottage window
The night wind had softened into a
warm breeze 1t came waited in.
mingling with the salt of the sea-with
the scent of the flowers in the little gar
den below.
Nellie's big. sad eyes took in all the
beauty of the morning. then they
gently closed
So Nellie Thurgood, Tom Thurgood's
young wife. died, and was buried in the
little churchyard by the sea; and the
tide came in and the tide went out,
through the long summer days and
nights. and peaceful order reigned in
the little cottage. for Hepzibah was
notable housekeePer; and Tom was
grateful to her in dull. impersonal
way. His heart was buried in a newly
made grave on the-cliff side. and moth
ing seemed real to him but that.
Hepzibah watched him from under
her white eyelashes, and kept silent:
but his pipe was always ready for him
when he came indoors. and his favorite
food simmered on the hob.
Hepzibah's hair grew brighter as the
days went on; her cheeks had comedy
flush; she began to take thought of her
dress. She bought a blue bingham
gown in the village. and muslin hand
kerchief for her neck. Her voice took
a softer note. she began to sing about
her work.
But Tom would sit in the churchyard
through the long summer twilights.
and when he came in to his supper his
feet dragged YEARLY, and his eyes were
dull with misery.
ssYor should NOT crciaxo Han
zibah, softly. one night after supper.
She was knitting in the freight; her
head was bent over her work.
Tom woke as from dream; he looked
at her with unseeipg eyes.
''Ah. it's well to say that to a man
whose heart is breaking!"
His voice grew husky. he turned
away his head to the fire.
But you shouldn't grieve as one
without hope. Time must soften things
bit-you have your life before you"
Tom laughed short. bitter laugh.
not good to hear.
''She was all had-my Nellie. The
apple of my eye. What goo.l's life to
me now? Such pretty ways she had.
too" he went on musingly; such low
ing. tender ways"
Hepzibah's needle flashed in the fire.
light.
''There are other women in the world
as fond as Nellie" she said. softly. with
her eyes on her knitting.
There was a long silence in the room.
The fire ficllered; cipcler fell on the
hearth Hepzibah could hear her heart
throbs; she slowly lifted her eyes to
the mans face.
He was not looking at her at all. but
at a china shcpherdess upon the little
table against the wall. His eyes were
troubled he was trying to remember.
MY Nellie did not keep that on there.
No. it was on the mantlepiece. here,
that she had it,
He brought the ornament over, dust
ing it with his handkerchief.
eve must keep the things as she left
them. Hepzibah," he said. But Hep
zibah had slipped out of the door into
the summer darkness.
She rested her arms on the little gate,
and stood looking far out to sea. Her
face shone white and ghostly in the
dimness. She shivered in the warm
air.
'You dead woman-you Nellie" she
whispered. tensely. why will you not
give him up to me? You have your
Jack. you do not want him-and I-oh.
my God!"
great fearless sob chol1ed her; the
shimmering waves Knocked her; her
face hardened.
''Why should 1 not tell him! I shall
do you no harm How can one hurt the
dead, You are asleep in the church.
yard; and I love him-I tell you love
him!"
The man was sitting smoking mood
lily. gazing into the glowing fire. when
Hepzibah glided in and stood behind his
chair.
tom, 1 can't bear that you should
grieve so. She wasn't worthy of a love
like yours"
"Hepzibah!"
Il have thought you ought to
know" she faltered. because L can't
bear to see you spo;lin' your life for
love of her-her who did not love you at
all. but Jack"
woman! what do you mean? What
lies are you telling me?"
Its true. Don't you remember her
calling out about the letters the night
she died? She gave me a packet
Jacks letters to her"
'.My Godl Give them to mel"
you must not mind so much. Tom
1.-THE letters!"
Hepzibah laid the packet on the table.
and crept away up the staircase to her
room.
The still hours passed by. Night
waned. but Hepzibah. wild-eyed and
numb, crouched by the bed. straining
her ears for any sound from below
An hour before dawn came the sound
of chair scraping on the tagged floor: