Barbour County index., 1905-01-11

i like every other small town the
arrival of the passenger train was the
supreme recreation of it's inhabitants.
Vehicles of every description lined each
side of the platform, whatever the cir
cumstances; not so with population
that the weather alone at times cru
ely disappointed. But neither weather
nor circumstances ever prevented the
presence OF man who for several
years almost every day stood in the
same place, in the same unobtrusive
position; and most curious did it seem,
Tor he was apparently unconcerned.
Still, a close observer might readily
see that while no muscle moved, his
deep-set eyes searched each halting
car; then as they slowly again moved
away, gradually increasing their speed,
and the shrill whistle rent the even
ing air, something of it's dreariness
fell upon this mans soul as he re-
traced his steps homeward. At times
some few would meet him on his way
back to his suburban villa, and as he
quietly blew upward the smoke of his
cigar his apparent insouciance would
the colonel from his evening STROLL"
Colonel Hunt was of medium height;
his square shoulders, erect carriage
and energetic countenance, even to the
curve of his grey mustache, revealed
the officer. Years before, while fight
ing the Indians, wound about the
eyes caused him to retire with a modest
Income. At 40 he was married to
gifted woman, who was ambitious and
abreast of all new ideas. The married
state soon became to her one of dull
monotony; iDasmuch as Mr.. Hunts
complete retirement from public life
had been a keen disappointment to
her. She was not prepared to appre-
ciate the quiet waters in which her
Dark was moored, nor the change in
her husband brought about through
inevitable circumstances as we'll as
through her vagaries. The little inter-
est shown by him in the great move
ments in her world exasperated her
to degree. This gradually brought on
q state of mind and of things that
eventually destroyed all hope of hap
piness between them.
One day after weeks of silence, grow
Ing more painful every day, Colonel
Hunt with enforced calm advised his
wife to realize her dream and leave
Tor the great city where, of all others,
social problems were ever questions
at issue. and he added sarcastically:
Il must be in touch with the times.
II not educated to follow the trend of
thought; the new idea seems this:
not so much Of home, but good men
without it. You desire to
provide for yourself; 1 will see to that,
consider all settled"
This ambition which caused such a.
painful estrangement between two be-
ings eminently fitted to understand
one another, seemed to have warped
Mrs. Hunts generous nature Frank to
fault, she had become strangely Sc
cretive. Col. Hunt had been keenly
alive to the mystery which pervaded
his home, and when what he feared
had come at last he felt no surprise.
He had long been aware that his wife
carried on secret correspondence with
some one, but Helen remained coldly
impenetrable, and with the easy dig
Dity that characterized the man, her
husband left her free.
Strange to relate, Helen did not re-
alize her husbands anguish or the
pride which made him withhold any
expression of regret. Besides his dis
appointment in her, the thought that
ne could not interest her or fill her
life CALLED him into stern silence.
After her departure his carriage be-
came more erect, his mouth more
firm. Those who wondered learned
that she had at last decided to culti-
vate her wonderful voice; he was sup.
posed to see her at times, which he
never did.
Five years had gone by. The old
servant still attended to the lonely
home, which was still closed but for a
Few windows. The Colonel was al
ways inpenetrable, as could be expected
OF supremely proud nature. AS the
shadows of the evening deepened he
would stroll back from the station to
the outskirts of the picturesque town
towards the quaint house nesting
among the oaks and wrapped in gloomy
silence. One evening the moon had
risen upon silver cloud that loomed
up from great mountains of blackness,
the shadows of the stately trees
wrought exquisite traceries upon the
sward; the fragrance from the wealth
OF flowers brought back such memories
as almost to overpower him. Here
was a winding path, rustic seat and
table where she had sat and read:
through yon archway, formed by two
slender olives and trailing roses, could
be seen huge marble vase; beyond
was stone bench where, years ago
when seeking her, he would find her
dreaming there. those dreams, alas!
which had taken her from him. And
from the silvery radiance that so vivid
~ brought his past into life again he
turned away with anguish, sternly en-
tered his study. and as on similar oc-
casions the wee. small hours found