The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-01-04

was ~ "ASlIGl AC wac vi
notY'
"Now you get beyond me-" she said,
'but I believe, why | cannot tell you,
that that man knew my husband was
coming b, certain ship, that my hus-
band knew Of this and for some ret
Eon of his own changed his mind.'
"Dear child" said my uncle, you
weave quite pretty romance. That
little head Of yours is full Of surprises.
l know a mystery Is dear to a woman.
almost as dear as q bit of scandal, but
don't build too much on it or you will
be disappointed. The man had proba-
bly, done his business with Captain
Bob out In Australia. 1t might have
been serious mining speculation
Ballarat. you know, is Il great mining
center. If such is the case, what more
natural than that the man, hearing
Bob was coming by certain ship,
should be anxious to see him:'
"Why did he refuse to leave his
name?'
"As he said, 1t was probably imma-
terlal. I've often enough said the same
thing. Trust me. your husband will
soon turn up with glowing prospec-
tus in his pocket describing a marvel
Gus property which is within easy
reach of Ballarat. l know those pros
pectuscs. I've drawn up Il few Of them
myself, In which / have described with
wonderful fidelity a reef or n region |
have never seen. Believe me, your
husband will presently blossom into di-
rector, possibly the charman-if they
can't buy lord-Of the Great Ballalat
Gold Mining company. of which your
mysterious foreign gentleman with the
strange eyes vii! most likely be the
vender."
My mother Immediately recognized
that it was no use arguing with him
when he affected that mood, and, dear
fellow as he was, she always avoided
the city in talking to him, for once set
going on that topic he was n difficult
man to stop. SO she went out to see
about some tea, and while she was
away he Informed me that there was Il
local Christy minstrel show III Maiden
head that night, for which he had two
tickets, and that he had driven round
to see il ! would care To so. OF course
It meant staying the night at his house,
but he would drive me over after
breakfast the next morning. Boy like.
jumped at the offer, though | did not
fail to notice that my mother gave
her consent with just a little re!uc
tance--a reluctance which | know my
uncle failed to perceive. Indeed. II
was no unusual thing for me TO spend
days together with him when
was home for my holidays, and am
sure the thought that she might ho'
want me to 80 never for moment oc'
Cured to him.
fancieu that she held me longer in
her arms than usual when the time
came to say goodby. Her great eyes
too, wore sad, wistfat look as they
met mine, and | think now, as | pic
ture that scene afrcsl, that the strans,
Hight which ] noticed in them must
have been caused by unslled tears. And
though | knew no cause for tears
recollert well that she touched soni'
point of tenderness within me and that
] kissed her again and again, and that
even when half way down the LITTLE
path. moved by some ,Inaccountablc I'M
pulse turned suddenly round, rushe'
back to her and threw my arms about
her neck.
"Come on, you baby" cried Vncl'
Jim, who stood smiling by the opel
gate, but as | passed him he laid his
hand affeciionately on my shoulder
and | saw q great gladness in his eyes
He loved his sister no less than |, nnC
that formed sweet bond Of sympathy
between the three.
Theu | eprang into the cart and un
Gle Jim came tumbling after Inc. Saun
ders, the aforementioned Wizpned OLE
man of H. let go the horses head, ant
away we went. My mother, standin.
In the porch, a pretty, pathetic figure IL
white gown, waved us last fare
well.