Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-06-21

else, Sometimes I do not see MN 10,
DAYS together. Herbert Is away, anu
Eanton and I-I-Oh. doctor" she con-
Guided with a burst Of tears. Il am -
lonely and miserable and wrefched.
There there said the doctor, hur-
richly. don't cry. my dear-dont CRY.
IN see your father. and II there's mucn
the matter. we'll have Herbert nome
an once. Don't cry! There, there. ~
4 wcDaan. ard not a baby. SO. MIS-.
willis has all the influence! Humph!
A pantheress in ~petticoats. II ever
there was n Been waiting to take
spr;ng this twenty years, and, rerk-
on. has done it at last
The concluding portion OF the 0
tors speech was delivered entirely 10
himself. rs he followed Fannie
tbrorgh the photographed halls and
ante. rooms that led to her father
study.
The room was already darkened,
though the last rays of sunset had not
vet faded in the west: the carved lamp
that stood on the marble center table
was turned down to a feeble gllmmer'
and in his easy chair before the heafth.
sat Robert Give, with bowed head n
folded arms.
the door opened, a slender, black
ROBBED figure moved noiselessly out OF
the shadow at the farther end or the
room. and Mrs. Wyllis faced the visit
ors.
.sPapa. here is DR.. Bond" said Fan.
ME. regardless of the housekeepers
murmured remarks that Mr.. Give Ia
requested her TO invite all visitors into
the parlor. as he was DESTROYS OF being
alone. Papa, you know dear mann
mas friend, and u old friend, Or.
Bond?'
Robert Give raised his head slowly,
and. prepared a the doctor was. for a
change. he was. for the moment,
shocked by the haggard ~countenance.
the hollow eyes. the worn and aged
expression of the man who, but a few
months before had been seen in all the
vigorous prime of manhood.
"Dr. Bond." he repeated. rising, with
a feeble assumption of his former
stateliness. "Of course, my dear, l
am pleased TO see DIR. Bond. Take a
seat, doctor. 1t Is very-very cold
without. Mrs. Wyllis, a little more
light, if you please. And perhaps the
doctor will have something warm after
his ride. 1t is very cold this evening
very, very cold!'
He sank back in his chair, rubbing
his wasted hands together before the
fire. as if he would infuse some of its
glow and fervor into his weakened
frame.
Il stepped in 10 see how all were
said the doctor, cheerily. This sort
of weather makes a dried-up old bach
elor long for a glimpse Of bright home
fires and glad young faces. Miss Fan
ME don't look as blooming as have
seen her of yore. You must keep an
eye on your roses, my dear. They
ought to bloom both winter and sum
mer. on such cheeks as yours
Miss Fannie confines herself too
much" interposed Mrs. Wyllis, softly.
II often tell her a brisk walk through
the woods would be good for her
health. Thqe young need change, re-
creation, excitement"
'Yes. yes said Mr.. Give. nervous
": Fannie needs a change. / have
been thinking that she ought to 20 to
town for the winter. Mrs. Wyllis tells
me that it is lonely for a young girl
here"
go TO town without you, papa" ex-
claimed Fannie. in dismay. go away
and leave you here alone? Oh. You
surely do not mean IT. / could never
leave you here alone!"
"Wyllis would give me all the atten-
ton | require" answered Mr.. Give, in
a, constrained voice. "It is quite I'm
necessary TO think OF me. | am quite
well-yery well! Mrs. Wyllis. as You
know. my dear. attends perfectly 10
my comfort and well being. There Is
no use in your remaining here-none at
ALL
when did you hear from that wan
dering son Of yours?' asked the doc
tor, changing the conversation. in pity
for the young girl. whose ~quiverins
lip and fearful eyes showed how keen
ly she felt her fathers words. 1T is
time he was thinking of a homewaru
journey."
Herbert? When did we hear from
HERBERT" repeated Mr.. Give. thought
fully. do you remember when we
heard from Herbert, Mrs. Wyllis?
Take n seat; l did not observe YOU
Were standing. When was ii we heard
from my boy?'
about W. months ago. / think, sir"
said Mrs. Wyllis, whose light eyes
emitted CLEANS of crafty triumph
whenever her master thus referred the
conversation TO her. you remember,
it was a very short note from Paris,
stating he was about TO travel East"
YES. yes; / remember; a very short
~note-very short, indeed. We have not
heard from him since then"
Il should advise you and Miss Fan.
ME here TO run over and look him up"
said the doctor. as, after a few mo
ments' longer stay. he rose TO take his
leave. The trip would do you both
good. and $ would the change he
added, with n glance toward the figure
In the shadow-the noiseless woman.
who, with her mittened hands. folded
one above the other, saw the visitor
out, and then returned to her post in
the darkened room, where Robert
Give again bowed his head before the
hre, Tx n stricken by sorrow or
shame.
You haven't taken your tonic. sir"
whispered the crafty temptress. 1T
is past the time. / was about to hand
IL TO You when Miss Fannie insisted
upon introducing the doctor. much
against my remonstrances: for I knew
you wished for no professional atten-
ton at all"