The Newtown bee., 1899-11-10

shaded lamp upon his table, while the
Major snored peacefully upon the rug.
At their entrance the parson laid down
bis book and advanced to meet them. 1t
was no individual grief that had brought
them collectively, on so cold night, to
his door, Of that he was aware, but the
gravity OF their faces indicated the inn
portance of their errand and set him won
dering. There had been immune rable de-
mands made upon his strength that day
and he was more than ordinarily IA
tigued, still his welcome missed no whit of
its usual warmth. He had on long black
dressing gown, girded at the waist by q
cord, which gave him an odd, monk-like
appearance and increased the frailty of
his slender, bowed figure, while the tenn
pered light made his hair seem whittier
than usual. There was no doubt that he
was old-old. The Major, as if mindful
of his duties as host, got up stiff1y from
his slumbers and went forward 60 proffer
his greetings also, but finding his pres.
ence ignored he retreated TO his masters
side and regarded the newcomers with
disapprOval.
1--WE felt we should find yeu at your
books" Mr. Loring said airily, after the
three men had seated themselves and the
psrson was about to resume his chair.
"some polemieal treatise, sir; you put
ua to shame with your untiring zeal"
The parson threw back his head laugh
ing like boy. mo polemical treatfses
for me-" he declared; "I gave 'em up
long ago. This ia 'mance full of stir,
and dash, and 9lOry-wonderful, won-
derful! with thread of a love story
through it all that makes a man eighteen
again."
Squire Poindexter cleared his throat
omlnOusly and shot O furtive glance at
his companions.
"Oh, little mental recreation of that
sort is excellent" he said minute later
in large. tolerant voice which seemed
to be wondering at itself and which set
his friends gaping with sstonishment,
"the saying about Jack holds good in
every case. And there's no doubt you've
earned your play-you've been a long
time in the field, sir.'
The parson pressed the tips of his fin
gers together meditatively and looked
smflingly at his guests.
"More than so years. he answered,
and 35 Of 'em spent in Broadmeadows.
It's wearing on to shutdown, friends"
There was no reply to this little sally.
each man thinking it clearly the other
mans cue to speak. and just then, as IL
to make it easier for them, the Major,
who had borne social ostracism long
enough, started to take possession of the
vacant chair. His master lifted him up
gently, making him comfortable on the
cushion, then he seated himself by the
little animals side, crowding into as smal IL
a space as possible.
"You are very fond of your dog, sir"
1t was half question, half assertion;
there was tentative@us lily in the hes
itating tone.
The old man raised his unsuspecting
eyes from the small head he was caress-
ing and glanced at the speaker, then he
looked about the room almost YEARLY.
There was moments silence before he
spoke.
'You come from house, SQUIRE" he
said gently, "where there are many
voices-a wife's voice and the chatter and
laughter of little children. There are
pleasant voices in your home, Mr. Loring,
and in yours, too, Doctor, but here you
find no such happy echoes. My youth
was fall Of loneliness. I had no close
ties, and when-when sought to form
one that was denied me. There has only
been one chair at my Preside through all
the years, and that my own. But have
9een rich in friends, thank God, faithful
have been times of encouragement and
failure when have longed for the nearer
companionship OF wife and children. on
never suspected that in the old man, did
you? One day, IL years ago, young
lad whom Who fancied I had aided
him, came to bid me good-by; he was
going West to begin Life afresh there, and
he brought me mite of q dog. I had
no need tor the little creature, and be-
sides was afraid Deborah wouldn't like
it, but couldn't hUrs the boys feelings,
SO accepted his gilt. remember felt
as awkward as any country lout brought
suddenly into fine company when found
myself alone with that little fox-terrier
puppy. he barked for long time at me,
thinking / had driven his friend
away, then finally, tired out, he came
WnimperIng mp TO make pact of peace.
lifted him ON my knee and he settled
down with . satisfied sigh, resting his
head on my hand. sat very still look.
ng at him after he had fall "a as leep, and
suddenly iE occurred to me thar he was
my own. The thought was especially
comforting. because it had been day OF
lore trial when my loneliness had preas-
ID heavily upon me.
During the week that followed I was
! dozen minds about keeping the little
elbow. and every day studied him with |
leener interest, watching the love grow |
q his eyes as would watch the untold |
NC OF some beautiful flower. He may
AVE studied me In like fashion. can |
lot say. ! only know the friendship be-
ween us strengthened with every pass
NO hour. There ID s vast difference, be-
ieve me- between coming home TO a
iient house and hearing only your
WI steps break the sfillnass, and In
oming back 70 . warm-hesrted welcome
ven Il IL be given By dog. You feel 4
asrs Z soms one who cares. For il