The Dickinson press., 1896-08-22
But the man fingered. And over in
1llR lllnnf1axay kl.x.

But the man fingered. And over in
the meadow. on the pathway. there ap-
peared light. 1t drew nearer and
swung gently to and fro. The traveller
| saw 1t was carried in the hand of a
man walking. He was clad in q coat
that was lined with fur, and his face
was soft and white. At the stile he
saw the man. He frowned and would
have passed, but the stranger stopped
him.
'Alr. Dalrymple," he said.
The other raised the lantern until 1t
slione In the face of the man. He
shuddcred slightly, and again would
have passed on his way. But the trav-
eler stood before him, SO that the path
was closed.
"Mr. Dalrymple," he repeated.
by what right do you bar my
way!' Tie tones were quiet but i'm.
perative, as is Of man accustomed to
receive Difference. "And why do you
call me by name?"
Il have news of your brother" said
the man.
"He is alive?" The words were said
GLADLY, but there was a gulp ut his
throat when he spoke. The man saw
the gulp.
"He will never return" lie replied.
"By what MEANS" sAid the squire,
'can tell that you speak with author
tty?"
The man put his hend beneath his
rags and drew forth the faded photo
graph of woman. On the back there
was name written. He passed it to
the squire.
The squire looked at it. And he
turned it over and read what was
written on the back. Then he raised
his hand and uncovered his head. And
lie said to the man: MAY keep this
memento?" and the man nodded.
What you tell me-" he said, quietly,
'eis only that which, Lecessarily, I have
always understood. Nevertheless this
conttrmatfo grieves me deeply" There
was real sorrow in his voice. And
that. too, the man noticed. did my
brother leave no message?"
''He spoke much of q woman said
the man.
Can you tell me her rame?"
ut is Marianne
The squire was silent. Then, softly:
''Poor fellow!" to himself. ut is nv
wife of whom he spoke" he said to
the man.
Il trust she is well," said the man.
"She is very well. left her but now
with the children"
AS lie spoke the first heavy raindrops
fell from the clouds. They were ON
nous of the storm to come. On the
water in the pool they pattered softly.
Il fear" said the squire, "you have
travelled far and are weary. 1t is pos
sible you are at q distance from home,
and there is terrible night before us.
The rain has already begun. You may
hear 1T on the pond. Will you 20 to
the hall for some rest and refresh
ments!"
Il thank you," said the man, reply
Ing III almost the words he had used
to the laborer. Il have all l need"
And again his eyes seemed to gaze in
the darkness beyond the stile.
There was sound of rumble of
wheels on the road, and two lights
shone out through the dimness. The
lights frightened, the sound cleared; a
brOugham and pair drew up at the
turning.
"Aly carriage meets me here" said
the squire, "and l am somewhat
pressed for time. But you have laid
me under deep obligation. Is there
Is any way in which can serve you?"
'"There is One," said the man. II
should like to shake you by the hand" !"
The squire hesltated. 1t was only
momentary. But flush rose to the
hollow cheek of the stranger. 'It Is
my hands," he said. II will wash
them in the pond"
But the squire had drawn Off his
Sealskin glove, and he held out his
soft, white palm. The other clutched
1t in his bony palm, and for moment
the eyes of the two men met In the
light of the lamp. The squire started
and released his grasp. There was a
look in his face that held something Of
fear. When he entered the brougham
the look was still on his face.
And the man sat again on the stile.
In the darkness the lights from the
hall shonc brightly, and he gazed ut
the lights. Then he turned his eyes to
the trees that were dim around the
pond, and again from the pond to the
lights. Was there peace in the pond?
So the man crossed the stile. In the
hush before the storm there was q
great cry. 1t was cry CT despair;
yet cry of hope, of joy.
The squire heard it, and stopped his
brougham. The laborer heard it as he
entered his cottage, and fingered at the
door until his wife called out for the
draught. The children at the hall
heard it as they sat at tea, and
dropped their spoons askanse, listen
ing to hear it again. But the trees at
the pond bent closely, the circles melt
ed away. And the storm burst.-NeW
Englander Farmer.