Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-08-13
From West Virginia, " replied Hen

From West Virginia, 3" replied Hen
ry.
West virginia."
eyes, mother Why, the name seems
to startle you," said Henry, turning
and watching the white cloud of trou
BILE that swept over his mothers face
"Oh, mol Why should the name of a
place affect me:" She stroked her fore
head nervously and then asked with an
evident effort at composure, And what
is the name of the people?''
Blanchard, - replied Henry. The
old gentleman is called DR.. Blanchard. :"
''Dr. BlanchardP'
No effort even had one been made,
could hide the emotion that Mrs. Kyle
now felt. All the color fled from her
face, and her hands trembled so that she
had to interlock her fingers to keep them
steady
Did you ever hear Of the name be-
fore?' asked Henry.
Il think have. "
Nora was about to speak, but was in
terrupted by the joyous barking of a
dog outside, and the sound Of voices near
by gave her an excuse to cry out:
Father and Louis! They will be
glad to see you"
The girl went to the door, where her
father and brother greeted her fondly,
and she then led them into the room
where was her truant brother. Louis
Kyle was few years younger than his
brother and equally handsome, but his
face had a stronger and more serious
expression. He welcomed Henry cordial
", but the look on the father face was
not one Of pleasure. Mr. Kyle was a
tall, well made man of so, with iron
| gray hair and shoulders slightly stoop-
ed The story of a great grief was plain
ly written ON his face.
Are we to have you with Us long?"
asked Mr. Kyle, addressing Hsnry.
"No, sir. l was near here and came
to see how you all We're.
81 suppose we should be thankful,
said Mr.. Kyle with a sneer. 1T must
have caused you an effort to leave your
companions. "
LET us not blame him." broke in
Mrs. Kyle. There is but little to occu-
py young man of spirit here. "
"There is duty" interrupted the
younger brother. ANY man who wants
higher incentive would be incapable
of appreciating it. "
"Ah, Louis" laughed Henry, 1--WE
are differently constituted! The blood
Of the Scotch Irish Covenanters freezes
in your veins; the red current of the
French burns through mine. love you
better for being what you are. If we
were alike, these mountains would be
too small to hold us. "
''If you were like me, this valley, -
said Louis, would be a kingdom large
enough"
Leaving the brothers TO talk, Mrs.
Kyle beckoned to her husband TO follow
her. She led him into another apart
ment, the floor of which was cupeted
with the softest furs, then cautiously
| closing the door, said:
'Dr. Blanchard, his son and two
daughters are near by on their way to
| Oregon. "
my God!' sobbed the man. my
sister Mary's husband My sister Mary's
children!'
buJ UnSy w Ill uOJ COillc near US suS
said soothingiy.
Mr.. Kyle took turn across the room;
then coming back he cried out:
my heart goes out to them. All the
past rises in Judgment before me. 1t
was but yesterday that l fled through
the storm and darkness with this right
arm red with the blood of my brotherl"
AS Valentine Kyle, or Valentine Wei
don, TO give him his true name, spoke
he buried his face i'll his big brown
hands and cried az II bis heart were
breaking. The wife and husband were
still talking when bright Indian girl,
known as Kushat, came into the room
and told them that dinner was ready.
During the meal this girl followed
Henry Kyle with her black eyes, and
there was that i'll the gaze that told OF
a more than ordinary interest in the
handsome young man. After dinner
Henry Kyle saddled his horse, bade J
family goodby and was soon flying iSro
the mountains from which he had come.