The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-12-23
THE RETURN.
A CHRISTMAS STORY BY G. T. FERRIs
ICopyright. 1897. by the Author.1

ICopyright, 1897. by the Author1
Frustrated hope threw its blight on tho
checry old face as Mrs. Martin read tho
letter from her son Paul. He had been
wanderer for eight years and now wrote
rom South Africa Tho samo feeling
haunted Kate Lockwood s fine eyes though
he bit her lip at tho conscious revelation.
But Mrs Martin did not see. Her eyes
we're blurred And murrnuring, "What
.ould have happened to change his mindY"
IS II 1t were the presago of some greater
Glow, she went on with the reading:
aid give few 'sparklers' to be with
you on Christmas, as had planned. But
h fellow can't always fulfill his own wish
- It's better to have everything wound
Up before leaving. South Africa has treat
I'd me pretty well up here in its diamond
lelds, so l shouldn't t kick If it keeps mo in
its clutch little longer. shan't be sor-
~ to leave this furnace behind. When my
letter reaches, Jack Frost will be abroad
with you in Vermont, clad in ice and
snow, but here man will be baking at
96 In the shade. I'm burned as black as
my Katfir in the mines, so that you and
Kate would scarcely know my swarthy
phiz. BY the way, you may tell that young
woman from me that don't half like her
roings on with tho Swinton man Didn't
she promise to wait for me2 I shall have
a word to say to her about her faithlcss-
cess" And so Paul's letter rambled on
IN q semichafling tone. Kate's face had
,larkened to angry scarlet when Mrs. Mar
tin looked up and said: "Why, my dear
you mustn't take Pauls jokes so hard
You know what a tease he was from
boy"
That was precisely the trouble. Paul
had always been joking, Kate feared A
distant cousin and reared in the family,
ever since she had emerged into woman
hood moro tumultuous sweetness had
mingled with the calm affection she had
once felt for Paul even as she had for his
elder brother Will When he had gone
away, she was only II, and keenly she had
quivered with the pang of parting. Year
after year had slid by, and the rolling
stone found no rest and the girls soro
heart had certainly found no balm in the
absent Paul's jocose phrases. Yet she had
sometimes fancied thrill Of sentiment
and tenderness quickcning his sportive al
lusions At all events suitors had lacked
fuel for their fire. her friends rallied
the young schoolteacher that the only men
folk she liked were the lads, with whom
she could be Jolly good . 1ow" in n most
fascinating way Her latest admircr tho
head of n prosperous factory and much
liked by the Martins, had no better luck
than predecessors.
"There was n time," the old lady con-
tinuod in reminiscent mood rs she laid
1,At
Paul would come together some day; but,
lackaday that's all done with. i can't
understand the girls nowadays s'pose
you amt afeared of bein left an old maid,
fer, you know, your good loollin''-and
Mrs. Martin pcered quizzically at Kate
over her glasses-"but still you might
never have such good offer as Mr.. Swim
ton-plenty of money, not too old, and as
good as gold As for Paul 8 stayin away
mother year.
whats that about Paul's not comm
homer" Mr.. Martins jolly red face, now
beginning to pucker with years and care,
was filled with dislnay ms he suddenly en-
tered the room. "That scapegrace of ourn
oughter be thrashcd Of he's a-goin to dis
appoint us ag' in" So Mrs. Martin again
read the letter aloud, while Kate, amid the
varied comment Of the old couple, escaped
for hearty cry.
Farmer Martins gloom had deeper
root than ordinary miscarriage of hope.
I'D ruther looked to Paul's help ef the
wust comes" said he to his wife, "fer
Wills got all he can shoulder. The mort
gage on the place has never been easy to
neet-what with poor crops and low
prices I met Squire Barber jes' now and
told him we expected Paul. Fer sure
said he, and laughed with his 'Ho hop
like some DANCED ole hyeny, and then ho
said he hoped there wouldn't be any delay
this year bout the mortgage money or
somethin might turn up and then he outs |
with another snicker. Confound his hide,
it's as heartless as his sheepskin books, fer
1 had allus reckoned him friend afore."
Though Christmas did not promise any |
appetizing sauce for its turkey and mince |