The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-23

that purple crushed fower-perfectly well.
He took il up with trembling fingers. and
then IT went back again with a sudden
~drop-"She does not want It now" he said.
shutting the drawer. "And-and l have
returned too late"
He heard the voices OF the family. evil
IDENTIFY returning, and a spasm of pain
crossed his face. He could not enjoy tho
thought OF facing them. There Is something
cruel In returning home to find things the
same. In so many unimportant little details.
and changed in n way that strikes 10 tho
roots. In some vital matter. He felt untitled
10 face the family. The door opened. and
they all trooped In. There. on the hearth
stone. stood an unknown man. with knit
brows and deep-set eyes: his face burnt
with the sun: his beard. long. Jagged and
turning gray. Yet John knew him instantly.
Tom" he said.
Yes. Tom" said the man. with an IN
tense Quie;ness which frightened tho chill
drcn.
"It's twenty years sin tina last writ to
US, Tenn"
Twenty" said Tom. 1T sounds . long
time, but 10 was gone directly. LIES short
altogether. and while we're planning for II.
we're going through with It. And are you
all weil?'
All well? Yes thank God. But thou looks
tired and nobbut weak. Did thou walk from
4 sfation?"
you're all well. you say7 Then. you're
<h-N s~
farm doing2"
Fair and Off, It's right eneur, we'ss not
shoveliins Z sowd. but"
And you're all well. you say7 ArlT'
AYE. aye: thar's my wife Just gone
out
weIl-except-perhaps-it isn't TO Be
expected. OF course. that the old mother
could pull through-a hard winter"
Aye" said John. Il was Just going TO
talk ABBOTT her. She's Just gone to bed this
half hour back: she was taikin' ABBOTT thee
all might
lamar had gone as white an a sheet. She
now came forward and put her hand into
her uncls's. II was a real ~hand-there was
no ghost about this.
US go silently upstairs. for I feel I
must look at her" said Tom.
Nay. sit down. said John. It'll scare
towd body over much. and she can't bear
q deal. Mary will be back directly: and
then. efter supper. she'll mebbe TAX thee
by 4 door"
But at this moment there was a strange
noise on the hall mating: and there. In ths
doorway. stood Granny with a long fawn
shawl struggling behind her. and two
withered hands appraised IN profound Joy:
though the wanderers return was not a
shocking surprise. but the glad fulfllment
OF expectation.
Tom rushed to her. and folded her into
his arms. The old body began to sob and
CRY anu IeeI MS HanuS, as III 10 see tnat
they were the hands OF her own Jacob. Mrs.
Coates lifted the latch and came bustling in.
"A merry Christmas cried the children.
FOR Uncle Toms come home: and Granny's
come downstairs 10 see him.
"Tamar. my lassi" said Grandmother. II
coomed down because thaii forgotten Ia
pop t'apron under Z windsr seat. sac mind
tina does it. And now. he quick. my lass,
oop. WI thee. as fast as tina can step It;
and down wi Z cream and t'celery and
t'cheese' Under { baby's blanket. lamar.
and be spry ABBOTT IL. It's been sike a long
journey; and he maun be starved for sum
mat TO eat. En- II wac 4 blessing and 4
miracle that l popped Off wi a few things.
Folks is that ~Carless. they'd hev' had nowt
for him, II IL hadn't been for me. lamar,
my lass. be sharp ABBOTT Tits time he got
a bite o. summat, Eth. she Is n FOND lass,
she's going to b. all t'day ABBOTT t'job""
copyright In the United States OF America by D.
T Pierce