The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1906-11-30

milk from the dairy for supper
'Why, it is strange her mother replied
Il never knew it to happen before. Hurry
back, dear. We shall be waiting
When the girl had closed the door, and the
sound of her footsteps had died away, the old
lady asked anNiousy: Have you noticed any
thing unusual about Bessie today? She has
not seemed herself She has been so abstract
cd and has made several little mistakes in her
household tasks
'Ah. WE'LL said the man gently, vet with
mschievous twinkle in his eye, she is Young
and in love-
That is just it, the wife replied Then went
on in musng tone Il have wondered that
she seemed resigned to Our objection to an
carly marriage. She is young, and Hugh so
unstable-so incapable OF taking care of a wife
She could not that at first, but lately she
has had nothing to say in regard to the mat
ter. Yet it may be that her mind dwelt on it
today. making her forgetful of other things
1T is time she back with the milk the
old man remarked.
Patiently they sat and waited three five,
ten minutes.
why, what is keeping her1Y
Then the anxious pair went in search OF
their child only to find that she had not gone
to the dairy at all. Over and over they called
her. but only echo replied. On their way back
to the dining room theynotced the milk pitch
er at the door,, and, STOPPING. the old man
picked it up and carried it to the light In it
he saw a slip of paper, and. drawing it forth
and unfolding it, he read aloud:
Dear Father and Mother Hugh and I
cannot wait. We shall take the eight o'clock
train for the city, where will marry and find
work. You have always said you had nothing
when YOU married, and that together YOU
earned all that YOU now have Hugh and
can do the same. Please forgive and still love,
if you can,
Il
"Gone!' the mother exclaimed, sinking into
her chair in dazcd, helpless way
"Gone!' the father repeated. There is the
whistle now. The train is leaving the station
God have pity' the mother moaned and
yet-thiS is THANKSGIVING
"Ah, It's Thanksgiving the man responded,
and we should, indeed be thankful, dear. that
though we know not what awaits child, the
Father knows, and will go with her wherever
her footsteps stray
A year had passed, and again it was Thanks
giving night. The old couple was alone and
never had any message reached them from
their absent daughter. They sat before a glow
ing fire, side by side, each thoughtfully silent.
Presently trembling hand of the wiic's stole
into one of her husbands.
1T was year ago tonight" she murmured,
softly, that Bessie went away. How we have
missed her! wonder where she is, and if
if-he is good to her?'
Il would we knew the old man answered,
after which neither Of them spoke for some
moments, and tears gathered in the eyes of the
woman, and rolled slowly down her wihered
let us thank God,' her husband said, that
He who watches over US, is watching also DER
our absent child
One by one the days came and went until
another year had passed Still the couple
o1n Ord
the preceding one, they sat together before
the bright wood-fire of their sitting room
"We are getting DID, the man said, land
should not be SO much alone. Ne shall have
to get some one to come live With US
There is Peggy Wolfram" the wife re-
sponded "She is bright and tidy, and would
be good company, we'll as help to u.s.
I'VE need both,'' the man sighed 1T is
lonely herewith just us two."s
Then they started in surprise, for there was
knock at the door. 1t past nine o'clock
late hour for visitors in that country village.
When the man arose and opened the door,
young woman, with baby in her arms, stood
before him; woman pale and thin and poorly
clad.
"Father!" she cried
But he seemed not to understand and drew
back in surprise. The mother-hcart of his
wife, however, comprehended the truth and
she tottered past him, sobbng: Bessie, my
child, my child"
They brought her in, crying and laughing by
turns.
Tell everything" they pleaded where
you have been, and what you have done, and
-where-Hugh is"
Il am not worthy" she faltered, 'to be TAX