The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-27

| iaxen haired child of three years cid.
ooh, me so glad you have come back,
! Reubenv' said the child, half laughing,
to begin with, and then wholly crying
as a windup.
"She'll catch her death of cold!" cried
Mr.. Jennings. '"Tots, how could you come
down like this? why amt you asleep"
you said-you said" sobbed the child,
shat he was coming home tonight"
"Well, here am, young one; don't cry
about it," murmured the big man, as his
arms folded the child to his breast, and
his handsome brown beard hid her face
from view, and tickled her terribly, for
she struggled into a sitting position away
from it, and rubbed her face and eyes
energetically.
Elizabeth" said Lucy, severely, "this
is very wrong. Didn't you promise to 70
to sleepw
II touldn't," answered Elizabeth.
"Come with me" began her aunt
again, when Tots let forth so trench
dous a yell that even Lucy, woman not
easily put down, succumbed at once.
"Let her be-" said Reuben Culwick
gruttly; then there was a second pause,
after which he whispered in the chid's
ear a few words that arrested her at
tention, and Tots sat up again.
"Where is it?" asked Tots.
an my portmanteau at the railway
station-coming home tomorrow, if Tots
will go to bed now"
"And as big as dat?" said Tots, open
ing her arms to their fullest extent.
Bigger"
"Me go to bed" said Tots with alac-
rity-"but," she added, 400 must carry
me up tairs."
"Of course will Goodnight, Uncle
Jennings; goodnight, aunt-we're off.
both of u.s." cried Reuben Culwick, and
he was out of the room and striding up
stairs with the child before there was
time for Tots to change her mind in any
way.
Brother and sister did not attempt to
follow him; the brother sat and listened
until the trampling feet in the room above
announced that Reuben had deposited
his charge in her crib, and retired to his
own apartments; the thin woman with
the worn face turned toward the fire,
last dying out, and passed hand across
her eyes, as if by stealth.
How fond he is of childrenw said
John Jennings; Il think big men always
are, Lucy. There was Topping-''
Don't bother me about Topping"
said Lucy.
"Ahem!-no," he said, with his feeble |
little cough prefacing his remarks again:
not if you wish it, certainly. Still, it's |
odd"
What is oddT'
THAT Reuben's coming back should |
have put you out in this way"
Il prayed he might never come again"
"Why, we couldn't afford"
THE man deserved better fortune than
le can find here" she cried, land so I !
tidn't want him back. Besides, we don't
agree"
I'm sorry Reuben has seen you in this
antrum, because l have often fancied
hat by and by you and he would get to
Ike each other. He is man who wants
omethlng to love-look at him and that
hid, for instance-and you're not
;reat deal too old, and he's not proud.
md you're"
He stopped as Lucy Jennings swung
erself round, a perfect virago in her last
nd worst attack of passion. He had
ever seen Lucy show off in this way be-
ore.
John, you're fool" she screamed:
you are the worst of fools to think like
hat, to talk like it. l marry him! he
Link of me! l tell you hate you for
aging this tonight
John Jennings gasped for breath,
My dear, Pm sorry if l have nurt
our feelings. If you don't mind, III SO
} bed'
She did not answer and John len
ings, after passing his hand over his
orehead in bewildered manner, went
. bed accordingly.
When she was sure that he was gone,
ne woman sank of heap on the shabby
earth-rug, and buried her face in her
rms, which she leaned upon the chair,
was bitter grief, in which strange
'ords escaped her.
why has he come back? Why couldn't
e stop away for goodY'
Go be continued.)