Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1904-12-08

it; that no matter whatever hefell
you-sunshine or rain, happiness or
sorrow-that my ambition was to see
you showered with all the blessings
God can grant to good woman;
said that If day came when l had
a right to ask your love in return that
| should do so, making no claim on
our old friendship. And then you
said something, Jessie-do you re.
member what you said, darling?"
81 said that l wanted you to love
me, but not to speak of it again
until | said you could" said Jessie,
lifting her laughing eyes. "You can
say it again-if you wish to, John"
Two soft arms were around his
neck and two sweet lips met his.
you knew l would wait for you
John, didn't you?"
John Burt's modest mansion stands
on the crest of the hill which slopes
down to the old farmhouse. 1t com.
mands a superb view of the crescent
sweep of ocean beach, and also of the
more quiet beauties of bingham bay
Verdant terraces and winding paths
and roads come to the edge of the
yard surrounding the old homestead.
but no gardeners hand has been per
mitted to touch the quaint surround.
ings, sacred to the ancestral founder
of the house of Burt.
In the long summer days Jessie's
children play about Peter Burt's
knees. Nearly five score years have
passed over his head. His shoulders
are bent, and the voice falters al
times, but his eyes preserve the spark
of their wonted fires.
Watched and cared for by those
who love him, he calmly awaits the
coming of the reaper, into whose gar.
ner long since have been gathered the
atoms of his generation.
A few miles away another mansion
fronts the ocean. James Blake and
his fair Edith have been blessed with
two children and with each others
love. A roguish boy bears the name
OF John, and dainty little miss re.
spends to the name of Jessie. James
Blake is now in fact as we'll as in
name the head of the great firm SO
conspicuous in this narrative. In a
thousand ways he has merited the
confidence reposed in him by John
Burt. Generous as yet, almost to q
fault, he has acquired with response.
bility that breadth of view and poise
Of judgment which found its highest
expression in the man who made his
success possible.
Retiring from active business when
most men are making a start, John
Burt has devoted his time to the
study of craftsmanship in its purest
sense. Political honors have crowded
upon him. There are thousands who
share the confident faith of his Low
ing wife that the highest place in the
gift of the people shall some daV
crown his career
There are frequent reunions in tn
old farmhouse or on the spacioul
lawns surrounding John Burt's resi-
dence. Once a year Sam Rounds SUI
perintends a clambake, and Johr
Hawkins always manages to be pres
ent. To the latter's inquiries con
corning the future Mrs. Rounds, Sam
turns grlnning, untroubled face.
mo man in Rocky Woods is a bach
elor until he is way past sixty" Sam
declares, ian I'm spry yet as a colt
in clover. Sometimes Ma Rounds is
bit doubtful erbout my matrimonial
chances, but has hopes; | still has
hopes. Edith, may help you to some
more of them clans? Jessie, please
pass young Master Burt's plate; it's
empty already. How that boy grows !
He's coming up like sparrowgrass af
ter rain"
Mrs. Rounds bustles around. her
eyes bright with the Joy of being
busy.
You set down, Ma Rounds" com.
mands Sam in hopeless tone. "You
set right down and let us young folks
wait on the table. cant break her
of workin', John; | swan, | just can't
do nothin' with her. Well" raising
a glass of sparkling cider, there's God
bless all good people, an happy days
tew all of ye!"