The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-09

have not gone DOWN." and his voice
was not conc liatory. for he felt that
every one that morning, himself in
cluded, was wearing his heart on his
sleeve, and a sense OF lost dignity was
Irritating him.
Mothers heart swelled at the tone;
she put down the photograph and
looked up at father with look in
VIII ch reproach and sorrow mingled,
and then suddenly she turned aside,
and her hands busted thespselves
among the brushes and trays on the
dressing table, for her quick eye had
detected that father was wearing odd
boots-a buttoned and a laced up one.
To think of it! He. the soul of pre-
cision, 10 thus betray h msef. But
there his abstraction stood confessed.
And oh, how mother loved him for il.
He had been such a stole, too. Wen.
there was no accounting for mans
ways. but, thank God, he had put on
odd boots that morning. She no long
er felt lonely in her grief. He cared.
too; his heart was aching also for their
sons departure. oh. those blessed odd
boots
but she knew his nature and stood
for "A moment wondering how best to
tell him of his mistake without annoy
ing him. And presently mother, on her
way downstairs, tapped at the dressing
boots" she said. II stumbled over IL;
| have put it down outside" Then she
waited until she heard father swearing
softly 10 himself. Then she knew mat
ters would right themselves and went
downstairs.
AIT breakfast somehow nobody had
much TO say. Boo wanted to talk, but
felt that his one topic-his luck at be-
ing sent to the front-would not be
exactly congenial TO his listeners. So he
refrained, and ate a hearty breakfast.
He would carry the memory of his last
meal away with MN TO the far off land.
The tender face OF mother. smiling
bravely from benind the bubbhng,
steamlng urn; dantily spread table;
the pleasant, luxurious room. with it's
handsome pictures; the broad bow
window, from which he could see the
dear old garden where he had played as
child; the loving eyes of Nell beaming
upon his across the table. Yes, home
was home. although he was luckiest
subaltern in the service.
BY and by the trap was at the door.
and the servants gathered in the hall to
wish him good luck and Godspeed.
shook hands with them all and thank
ed them and then he stood with mother
in the porch-alone. He could not see
her face distinctly for the mist across
his eyes; ana the next moment he and
father were walking quickly down the
drive, along which the dogcart was
ing slowly forward TO await them at
the gates beyond. Father remarked that
the, new gamekeeper was giving satis-
faction. and that there was every pros
pect of the covers yielding better sport
the next autumn.
I'VE shall have you home again be-
fore then, my boy" he said.
"RatlSr sir" answered Bob: 1--WE
shall noe take long to settle this little
affair"
At the lodge, the gamekeeper's four
boys were standing in row. They had
three cornered paper hats on their
heads, and wooden swords in their
hands, and they greeted Bob with sun
dry salutes and hurrahs And Bob
laughed and gave them penny each.
You must keep up your drilling" he
said. 1--WE shall be wanting new re-
cruits in the regiment by and by"
And then the gate was opened, and
Bob climbed to the back seat of the
cart. Far away at the house something
fiuttered white from window and
Bob took out his handkerchief and sig
nailed back again. Then the boys cheer
ed afresh. and the trap turned into the
lane, and home was already thing of
the past.
AS they drove through the village
there was not a doorway that had not
some one standing on the threshold 10
bid him Godspeed.
" 'Tis the young squire off TO the
war" they cried one to the other, and
the mems eyes flashed and their voices
rose: but the womens eyes filled with
tears as they saw him drive past. God
keep him." they said. and comfort hts
mothers heart," For they knew that
the men gave willingly their lives for
their country. but that the gift OF the
women was something dearer than life.
And all the while Bob's heart was
singing 10 him; he did not know that
the song had come down to him from
the long ago time when the Sea Kings
had gone forth with their battle songs
to be the terror and conquerors of dis
tant lands. He did not know; but so
il was. and twas a goodly heritage. OF
which Bob in his joy and impatience
recked little
So the station was reached and the
last goodby spoken: and father grasp
ed Bob's hand. You will-do your
duty" father said; II am sure of tt."
And Bob's face flushed. Thank you.
sir" he answered In a husky voice:
"and-my love-to other'-Clifford
Mills. in The Pail Mall Magazine.
r,.r nnou unrstn- ntlntln It0nROu