The San Francisco call., 1904-12-25

Ing TO say to II all. HAD ne nOtnlnS
to say? Why, his eyes were like the
eyes OF Grant1eyl
The clock of the old church struck
five and on the sound a cab appeared
over the crest of the opposite hill Sib-
ylla, with Frank in her arms, watched
its descent TO Milldean, and then went
into the house TO put on her hat In
view OF the ancient love between her
and Mumples it was ner privilege TO
be the first TO greet the returned wan
derer. For all her sympathy Kate Ray
more was a friend of too recent stand
ing-shs had not witnessed the years Of
waiting. Jeremy'S affection was true
enough, but Mumples feared the di-
rectness of his tongue and the exub-
erence of his spirits. Highly conscious
of the honor done to her, somewhat
alarmed at the threatened appeal TO her
ever too ready emotion, Sibylla went
down the hill.
4 pale, fraiI old student, with the
hands Of a laboring man-tha1 was her
first impression of Mumples' husband.
He had the air OF remoteness from the
world ard of having done with the
storms of life which come TO men who
have lived many years in a library;
his face was lined, but his eyes calm
and placid. Only those incongruous
hands with their marks Of toll limited
at the true story. He spoke in low
voice, as though it might be an Offense
to speak loud; his tones were refined
and his manner respectful and rather
formal. 1t was evidently unsafe to
make any parade of sympathy with
Mumples-she was near breaking
point; but the exchange OF a glance,
on which Sibylla venJured, showed that
her agitation was of JOY and satisfac-
tion- Evidently the meeting had dis
appointed the worst of her fears and
confirmed the dearest of her hopes.
Il have TO thank you, Madame" the
old man said, "for the great kindness
you and your family have shown to
my wife during my absence
I'VE owe her far more than she owes
us l don't know what We should have
done without her"
The knowledge that she had good
friends did much to enable me TO en-
dure my absence" he went on. shes
locking well. is she not. Madame? She
appears to me less changed than had
thought possible
Sibylla could not resist another quick
glance at MumpleS.
And l haven't seen her for ten
years.
He paused and looked at Sibylla in a
questioning way.
Don't worry any more about that.
Luke" said Mrs. Mumple. with her
hand on his shoulder You knew what
suited you best. What was the good
of my coming if it wasn't TO be COM
fort to you?"
ut was selfish of me. Madame: but
you've no idea what ii is to be in
in such circumstances as was. I've
been unfortunately man of quick tenn
per and 1 couldn't trust myself in all
cases. l got beside myself If 1 was re-
minded of the outside World-of all
was losing-hOw the years went by
of my wife and the home and the life
/ might have had. 1t was because 1
loved her that I wouldn't see her
Yes, yes. I'm sure of that" said Sib-
ylla, hastily.
But it was selfish, as love sometimes
is, Madame. / ought 70 have put her
first And l never thought what it
would mean TO her when 1 did what
brought me TO that pace. Well. I've
paid for it with M life. They've taken
my life from me-"
you've many years before you,
dear" whispered Mrs. Mumple
II have so few behind me-" he said.
They've blotted cut two-tnirds of my
life. Looking back on it now 1 can't
see it as it was. 1t seems long, but very
empty-a great vacant space in my life,
Madame"
"Ah. but you've your home and your
dear wife now-and we shall ali be
your friends"
How duh and cold her words seemed,
Yet. what else was there 10 say in face
of the tragedy?
I'm deeply grateful to her and TO
heaven; but II have nothing left 1t
seems TO me that the years have taken
everything.
Mrs Mumple put her hand down to
his worn hand and caressed it.
You'll be better by aud by, dear"
she said.
I'm deadened." he persisted sadly.
Don't feel like that" Sibylla i'm
plored Your life will come back to
you in the sunshine and the country
air. We shan't let you feel like that
Why, it's full of NE here. There's a
wedding tomorrow, Mr.. Mumplel And
another engaged couple-my brother
and Miss Raymore. And you'll like my
husband and I'll bring my baby boy
to see you"
such a pretty little dear!" exclaimed
Mumples.
You must take an interest in US,
smiled Sibylla; and then you'll be
pleased when we are-wCa't he, Mum
pies? Because you're to be one Of US,
just as your wife is"
Mrs. Mumples suddenly turned away
and murmuTing something about get
ting tea escaped from the ROOM The
in long inquiring gaze.
You say that to me, Madame?
don't deserve to have that said 10 me.
You're a beautiful young lady and very
kind, l know, and good, I'm sure. Your
husband is lucky. and so is your son.
But I've been a convict for seventeen
years, ard it's only by a chance that
I'm not a murderer. I'm not MT TO
come near you or yours-no, not near
YOUR little bow"
Sibylla came to him and took his
work worn hand. He saw that she
meant to kiss il and held it back
"A convict and in heart a murderer,
Madame he said, his lips trembling
a little and his calm eyes very sad.
I'm not tit for you to touch
I'm tell you something" said Sibylla.
You call me kind and good-yoC say
my husband and my boy are lucky, and
you tell me you're not fit for me to
touch-for me TO touch, I tried to run
away from my husband, and I was
ready to leave my little boy to his
death"
A great wonder came into the old
mans eyes: he asked no question bur