The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-09

way quickly to the stage door.

Capt. Plunket stepped aside and
waited few minutes till figure en-
veloped from head to foot in q dark
mantle passed through the door and
advanced toward the carriage.
He called her by name-"Alice!" and,
advancing, stood by her side. AS her
eyes met his she uttered low cry of
mingled terror and surprise. "Ah! you
have come back 10 try and take my
children from mel"
For years she had been haunted by
the idea that sooner or later her hus-
band would reappear and claim his
boys. 1t seemed to her sheer impossi-
bility that any man could relinquish
forever his rights TO such children.
81 was not looking for you; chance
alone threw us in each others way. AS
l leave England tomorrow, never TO
come back again, fancied my wife
might spare me an hour of her time to-
night without feeling herself called
upon for too great sacrifice"
Capt. Plunket's tone was both sneer-
inc and indignant. Even the least low
able of men is astonished when he dis
covers that he is not beloved.
She motioned toward the carriage and
he silently followed her into it.
Their mutual resentment kept them
both silent until the carriage drew up
before large block of fats not far
from the strand. He followed her up
two flights of stairs. When she
reached her own landing and was pre-
pairing to let herself in with a latch
key-the door was opened from within
by gray-haired lady.
Mother, you remember Capt. Plum
ket." said the wife. briefly, as she led
the way to cheerful dining-room.
where a bright fire was blazing and
cozy supper table prepared.
The old lady followed them, trem-
bling from head to foot. Her perturba-
tion made the captain vince.
You need not fear for your daugh-
ter. madam" he remarked curtly. ~
leave England tomorrow"
Are the boys asleep. mother?" asked
the younger woman. Capt. Plunket
would of course like to see them"
well, my dear, the fact is they've a
bit of good news for you, and they
want to tell it themselves. so they were
much too excited to go to sleep"
Taking lamp from the table, Mrs.
Plunket beckoned her husband to fol-
low her. At the door of the room she
whispered:
Remember, they think their father
dead" AS she pushed open the door
two dark heads were raised from the
pillows and an eager voice cried out:
Mother! Mother! Ted's gained the
scholarship"
"l've gained the scholarship, e40 a
year for three years. And, mother"
continued Ted, Frank could have won
it himself! DR.. Newton said so, but he
wouldn't compete against me
he's to try for another in the spring"
Becoming suddenly aware of a
strangers presence, Ted stopped
speaking, and the two boys stared at
the captain in great astonishment.
This gentleman was one of your ia
theirs friends, boys" said Mrs. Plum
ket. IBID him welcome for his sake"
The boys held out their hands at her
bidding, their young faces so wonder
fully like her own, still retaining the as
tonished expression.
A spasm of emotion convused Capt.
Plunket's features as he advanced to
grasp their outstretched hands.
The mothers eyes devoured the boys
with the self-same brooding. all-ab-
sorbing love which had caused him
many jealous pang in former days.
Presently she led the way back to the
dining-room and motioned him to a
place at the table. But he was
in no mood to break bread at her
| board.
after what I've seen tonight, no
need to ask if you are happy" he ex-
claimed, bitterly. "The most exacting
of women would be satisfied by such a
SUGGEST"
He alluded to her theatrical triumphs,
but she misunderstood him.
Her eyes became suffused as she an
swered: "Yes. thank God! My high
est ambition is in fair way to be graf
flied. The head master of St. Pauls
says no more promising pupils ever
passed through his hands, and they are
as truthful, upright and honorable as
they are clever. Ted wishes to enter
the church, Frank intends to follow my
profession; but first | mean to send
them both to Oxford"
A wave of deep yearning passed over
Capt. Plunket's heart. He felt for one
moment inclined to fall at his wife's
feet and cry out: snake a place for
me, too. in your home, Alice! Perhaps
in time l, too. could endeavor to make
you proud of me-"
Two years later Capt. Plunket was
laid in lonely grave near Lake Ny
ASA.
His wife lived to see both her sons
eminent and honorable men in the pro-
fessions of their choice, yet her hap
piness was not complete.
Having retired from her profession,
she had leisure for that introspective
searching and questioning of her own
heart by which women love to make
themselves miserable. The small voice
which forces us all at times to listen
to it kept whispering:
This should ye have done. yet not
have left the other undone."
For His Fathers Sake.
DR.. c., a well-known lecturer and
preacher, was seized with a sudden in
spiration to visit the village in Vermont