The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-02-13

miserable, so we are not In q very
enviable situation"
"what is the matter with John7n
81 don't know" answered Ellie,
with a sigh. "Some strange change
has come over him and he is not
like the same person. I hope,
Charlie, you will find out what it ia"
The brothers had a tender meet
ing, for John had been wishing to
see Charlie very much. He wanted
to hear his cheerful tones and have
his brotherly affection to break into
the cold, dreary life he was leading.
They wandered off together down
among the walnuts and sugar naples
where they had 30 often played ball.
And Charlie tried with every artiice
to draw out the trouble that he saw
hidden back Of Johns calm, consid-
crate exterior. But his brother was
a man who could at will make him
self unapproachable. There was no
way, he found, in which he could
break through that impenetrable
r%eticence and reserve.
81 have only a day or so to stay,
JOHN" Charlie said, "and it may be
I'll never see you again and l don't
see why you should have a care from
me.n
81 don't see why you conclude I
have any care, my greatest is about
your John said.
"Well john said Charlie, al un-
-~.s a1Vv arIIveu au such a
state OF desperation that nothing
much affects me. 7 have been under
a cloud all my life and am content
now to remain So"
"No don't say that boy" said
John, ''there is light in the world,
and it is our duty to come into it.
No one has a right to hide himself
from duty, not even under a cloud.
1t is unmanly, cowardly ahd GRIM
inal. Clouds may even become to
us golden tinted and beautiful as we
carry them with us to the light.
Nothing happens by accident Charlie.
1t is all for some purpose, and even
this dreary house that 10 IL inher-
itance, and our dreary hearts, into
which SO little love has been fos-
tered, even all that was for a pur-
pose, strange as it may seem to u.s."
81 am sure there il n thing l
can't understand" said Charlie, sand
that is how you grew into such a
man as you are with the atmosphere
in this house around you, for mother
has made a God Of money ever
since l co aid re nemper."
a look of pain came into Johns
face. 81 wish I did not feel the
truth of what you say, but she
always taught me that evil doing
would bring me dishonor and trou-
BILE, and perhaps fear of that had its
power V me. But my father was
very tender hearted and loving-I
shall never forget those lessons at
his knees. He loved the right not
for it's rewards merely, but because
his heart was modelled after that
p~attern-the pattern given OF the
man of Cali ee."
News loon spread over the coun-
try around that Charlie was at home
and many old friends came into see
him, even those on the southern
side.
Mary Norton too came and with
her usual unselfshness forgot his
forgetfulness of her to make the
time pleasant to him.
The morning of his arrival Mr..
Clayton called-red hot rebel as he
was-they were surprised that he
should call to see a union soldier.
His mother even, had not allowed
him into her presence. She hac
kept her room since his arrival and
refused to see him.
Ellie and John too forgot them.
selves and their trouble in thinking
OF his pleasure. AS they sat at the
breakfast table the morning after hit
arrival, the gayety and joyousnesl
of youth seemed to have returned tt
them for all were laughing and talk
ing like children together, when 1
knock was heard at the door an(
Immediately without ceremony tive
men entered. One of them was tn,
sheriff and he walked up to Charli,
and laid his hand on his shoulde
saying, "You are my prisoner"
"What is it2" John said spring
ing to his feet.
Ellie had run to Charlie an,
caught him by the hand, as tho t.
hold him from them.
81 have a warrant for his arrest
the man said, as tho he hated t.
say it.
"For what?" asked John, "Wha
has he done"
"For the murder OF Jack Hazel
said the sheriff.
"That scoundrel Clayton has don
this'' said Charlie to Ellie. "Bu
don't be troubled Ellie, it will com
out all right for me-"
They led him away and John wer
, with them and Ellie all alone praye
in her anguish as never before.
(To be continued.)
, THE JOYS OF KEEPING
DMD