New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-06


breaking long silence.
"E,Ieven" said the woman who struggled 10
seem calm IT'S a long time" she added, anu
time brings many changes.
Does II? I don't see them. To me you ''
just the same"
He was studying her attentively she ''''
to stir the fire.
Maggie, you treated me very bad'y e"''
years ago"
II was eleven years younger John she u'ee'
as lightly as she could.
Eleven years younger; yes, slip Oh sew"
teen"-his ewes left her face and wandered u
the hre-"and things have not gone wen VIII
vou7 Life's been harder than you thought!
"Jirn wasn't ucky'-evasively-" ne d.
WAYS did his best"
She jumped up and began to make the YEA
ord thov drank il together, sitting soberiy ny
the hearth. ,,
Tb.v found much TO talk abOut-the Chhu
and many things Detecting a morbid craving
IN d,vel on her recent loss. he led her thoush'
hoc,<yard ill they were busy with the past
mid she remember the little schoolhouse! l.
.os q brand-new board school now The fari
was pulled down: there was "A red-brck villa VI
tic site Then he recalled her girlish cohques'S
and rallied her for firt. What dance SIN
usod IN lead them. Rob and Andrew, ana I'M
roe,i And there was certain lame ola pach
o,or vbo must needs go wOOng too lie laushe'
anita heartily and she WINGED a little at TN
sound .. o
"And after ALL" he went on jovially, 1t was
linn ,vbo won the prize We'll, Jim was Dorf
tn he ucky-a fine sturdy chap
ua waved enthusiastic and she joined IN th'
mr;r, uas Gu handsome and so clever Yes
s ,h host Of husbands too" (But prlde
ubicb eneenders lying, would not help her u
meet his eye)
Then he rose in wTathful bitterness.
"your Iovaltv was i'll placed Maggie. III
made II a door return. Damn him. ne nut
t.,od Walking over to the window He hat
hotter left you in my keeping. after all
He stood with his back to her, and fro"he'
an a sea Of chimney pots. and she covered he
shamed face. where the dead man wv"
seemed TO throb and burn again
When he came back he was full OF self-re
nroach He had hurt her by his bluntness. HI
was a laundering old fool, And ne immedia'el1
set about proving the assertion choosing th'
moment Of her humiliation to put serious
question:
is it too late Maggie" in very wistfu
tone.
And she answered, 1T was that years ago
john"
which was just what he might have expected
And then they parted He wished to Know ne
ulans but she was reticent He would nave
crered further help but was afraid.
For DAYS after he was dour and restless
Stocks failed to interest him. He grew wori
and harassed
He visited the Child's grave. Standing by tn
mound Of moist freshly turned earth one even
ing a bitingly keen sense OF his own loneliness
swept over him.
He had grown hard and selfish with the added
wears he knew: quicker To scent bargain
keencr TO haggle over and hoard the money M
had gained Well, man must find some IN
terest when the one most coveted in life hat
been denied him. He had craved the love o
but one woman in his manhood. Forsworn ant
Tilted. he had shut tight lips upon his sorrow
and turned his eyes on Grub-st.
And now?
The grave Of her Child lay at his feet LOOK
ing down. il seemed the one in which he mac
laid his blighted tenderness for ever. Was IT too
shallow-woudnt the thing die? Ii seemed as
if the scrapng OF his foot would bare 1t again
tormenting and quick and beautiful
A mist before his eyes He brushed then
with doubtful fingers. Tears He turned TO go
but the Child's mother stood at his elbow.
is il you?" he said foolishly; but she scarce
ly seemed TO hear
You stayed so long" she muttered; Il grew
tired Of waiting"
She ank on he grave like one who was spent
and weary. and he understood somehow that she
had been watching him from afar