Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-10-19
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
iF.ER LONG YEARS

THAT Is the mortgage OF an estate
called the Derby place Mr.. Faxon fore
closed more than a year ago, be
lieve."
We'll, it's what I've been looking
for. will take charge of the papers
and attend to the matter soon. Down
East, isn't it,"
Eyes, sir"
MIR. Faxcn put the papers into the
breast pocket Of his coat, came down
the Office stairs and stepped into the
purple.lined phaeton beside
his wife.
The delicate Arabian, Mrs. Faxon's
horse, sped away out of the city con-
fines, and soon tossed his jetty name
along the open roads, lined with gar
dens. ornate cottages and villas.
Going away again tomorrow, dear?"
asked Mrs. Faxon, suddenly lifting her
fair countenance, in reply to a remark.
you seem to be away all the time late.
ly Take me with YOU"
Not this time. Violet"
And Violet Faxon's husband fell In.
to a fit OF abstraction, from which even
the smartest chatter failed to arouse
him.
They came at last to the Faxon man.
sion, grand yet simple, and fulfilling
the promise of a grand interior.
Amid the white lace and crimson silk
of her chamber, Violet was brushing
out her long, fair hair, when her hus.
band paused in the doorway and looked
at her sharply. Then he came slowly
across the room. and lifting the oval
face in his hand. looked closely at the
roseate cheek, pearly ear and curved
lashes.
What is It," asked Violet, "a
frecklef'
NO." he answered, smiling family
and strolling across the chamber. You
locked like my sister then-that was
ALL"
Your sister, dear? You never told
me about her." said Violet.
NO." he answered, and said no more.
Mr.. Faxon bore no resemblance to
his delicate patrician wife. A little
less than 30-dark, strongly built. &C.
tive. vigorous. he impressed one as a
strong character. II with a remark.
able rich comeliness Of countenance.
there were some sensual lines, there
was also a certain evidence of good
sense and look Of deep experiences.
MIR. Faxon looked like a man who car
ried weight.
He was up and away at daybreak the
next morning. An early train bore
him eastward. and o'clock found him
landed at q little station called Sea
brook.
The dismal little building was set in
field Of clover, around which a road
wound away among the mounds Of yer.
dure.
After glance around. Mr.. Faxon
took this road, and walked slowly
along. The robbins hoped across 1t;
the bobolinks sang in the trees over II.
The unassuming white clover among
the grass perfumed the cool morning
air.
He passed only few houses, but he
observed them attentively. They were
old and humble farm houses. Appar.
emily this property which had, by the
foreclosure Of the mortgage, fallen to
Mr.. Faxon was not situated In n very
rich or enterprising neighborhood.
When he had walked nearly mile
he came to a green dooryard, among
widespread apple trees, with well
sweep among them and a residence,
though plain, more pretentious and
than the others.
There was a narrow, well.worn path
among the short grass and buttercups
to the porch. where bittersweet
twlned its strong arms. In a corner.
under the verdure, was an arm chair,
with u book on the seat, and cano
lying across tia gnarled, twisted
stick of hickory that Mr.. FaXon looked
twice at, The book he saw was u
Bible.
There was on old lady, with sweet,
faded face, and snowy cap-strings tied
under her double chin, knitting at a
window near by; but his quiet step did
not disturb her.
He had put his hand to the knocker;
he took 1t down again as he caught
sight Of this placid face. He stood
there quite still for several moments,
A gray cat came and rubbed against
his Leg Some apple blossoms, floating
down. touched his cheek.
At length the gentle lips moved
Father" said the mild old lady,
you had best lie down and take a
rest"
such old people, and have come to
take away their home" said Mr.. FaXon.
There was pain in his dark face now
as he stood looking down at the porch
floor,
After a moment. he stepped off the
porch on the further side, and walked
away under the apple trees.
When Mr.. Faxon came back from his