Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-12

shook hands with him and babe him q
hearty good night. which quite brought
him 10 his normal senses. Alec fastened
the door after him and went into the
dining room, where 'Lisbeth was stand
ing ny the table.
I've fastened all the Windows" said
Alec. and the doors are tol,ed except
Cut this way
III fas:cn out here" said 'Lisbeth,
but Alec followed her. and their hands
sometimes met in the dark. a tear Or
two dropped OF his, ard then he no.
ticed that she was sobbing and could
not stop despite her every effort. When
they got to the dining room where there
was light, she lay her head On the ia
BILE. her arms stretched out before her,
and gave way AZ last TO tho grief she
had so long contained. Alec stood and
| down his face tco.
BIT at last she stopped and they be-
gan TO talk. They consulted as to what
was TO be done. IN a veiled way they
talked over 'Lisbefh's possible mar
rage 'Listeth decided that she and
Alec must get the store to rights and
manage things for the winter. In the
| spring perhaps-but il woald be time
| enough to talk about il then.
The children don't know" said
'Lisbeth. they don't know a thing
They didn't know about fathers not
being well even, and / pr. them TO
bed. It's strange that with the noise
and everything they hare not been
down to see what the matter is. But
they went after leaves today after school
and get very tired. / suppose that Is the
reason. But we shall have to tell them
in the morning
Let me tell Them" said Alec
Doesn't even Jim krow:'
Not word
Then they put ont the light. and to-
gether stumbled ont in the dark TO the
stairs. st the top Of the landing. Is
they separated 10 90 TO their own rooms,
they pressed each others hands warmly
and fingered moment. then said as
CHEEKY good night as possible and
were gone.
By daylight the next morning Alec
was dressed and down III irs kiic1cn.
And there he found 'Lisbe,l: before h;m
hard at work by lamplight il Es- pan
try, getting ready large baking, for
the house would be crowded daring the
next three days by neiGhbcrs and
friends, and Of course they mus. be Fed,
and as everything had happened 50 sud
denly 'Lisbeth was not prepared
Alec consulted with her about keep
ing the store closed till after the fu-
neral he thought it was only proper
as sign Of respect. But 'Lis5eth said
people would have to have something &c
eat, and as there was no other place at
which they could conveniently buy, tho
store must be kent omen. Besides there
was the mail to be distributed. They
finally concluded that if tine store were
open in front for an hour at noon when
the mail came that would To sufficient.
The back door might be left open the
rest OF the day, and if any one were in
need he could come in that way.
The children would be down shortly,
and Alec walked out toward tine front
Of the house to meet them when tLey
came down the stairs. 'Lisbsth, he
knew, dreaded &c sec them. And very
soon they came, all Gathering down the
steps together, laughing and shouting,
Unmindeul and unconscious Of the dead.
"Oh, Alec hes come back" cried Flo
and Bessie together as they ran to NEE;
him, and jim smiled welcome. One
little girl took one hand and the otl.e,
the ether hand, and they would have
asked him innumerable questions, BIZ,
something se-iC-s i'll his face stoned
them. So they looked n him intently 10
SEQ what the matter was. He said he
had something to tell them if tbey
would come into TIE parlor with him.
Ie sat down in a chair by the from;
window and put an arm about each lit.
tie girl as they stood ON eitier side Of
him, while jim stood with dignity ri.
rectly in front of him, almost touching
his knees.
"What is it:" asted Flo impatientlv.
"Eas an-thing har?cned:"
"Yes,'' said Alec. Something sad
has happened
"What is it:" asked Flo again, bu.
tie others we're silent and fearful.
Year papa has gone to heaven"
as he dead:" said Bessie, looking a,
= lee with great round eyes.
"Yes, &c is dead" answered Alec.
There WIS silence for a n.olnens O.
two. Then Flo, with childish but limo.
cent heartlessress, asked:
''Is that all you had to tell us:''
"Isn't that euough:" answered Alec
solemnly, perhaps little shocked.
"You won't see your papa any more.
Hes gene, and he won't come bacl
again. Aren't yen so-ry?'
he looked up at Jim and saw grea,
tears in the boys eyes. The little girl.
locked up at him. too, and as they did
SO the tears rolled down his brave
cheeks.
Alec told Jim Of the conversation
with 'Lisbeth the night before and O!
their intention 10 keep on with the stor,
if possible. Ee eravely wondered il b.
ought net to stay out Of school TO help
! Bot Alec thought that il be worked
hard Ont of school hours that would b
Sufficient.
, 1t was a very gloomy household Tit