Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-09-21
[llg[ NV XTNINIY

entire absence of house servants, We
nave only two persons who act In the
capacity OF domestics. and these we
can rely upon-one who Is n servant
by choice. the other who acts as our
housekeeper. from a sense OF duty"
"Ah! the old woman?"
"fes. Sista." he replied.
Then he led the way from the room
out into n long dark hallway. par
TALLY lighted by u lamp.
At the end OF this hall we came TO
door which Valdermere opened.
leading US into Il spacious room. fur.
| nished In the manner OF a dining
room. The table was long. and the
chairs were ranged In order for many
guests.
a white cloth was spread. and tho
china and silver was OF the cos,iIcst
kind.
! snzcd around the room In some
surprise. as I noted the number OF
chairs; the length OF the table. and
the evident preparations for great
many guests, expected Mt every mo-
incnt To see others enter from the dit.
iercnt doors which I observed lead.
Ing from the room into other parts of
the building.
We dino alone today. Cas,icman.
but thcr. Will soon be other guests
with US. who I am sure will interest
you"
Il had thought there were many"
I said. looking M and down the long
table. and upon the silver and china
placed In order.
Yes" he said. ''our friends arc iIa.
ahi. TO come at any moment. and.
though We only expect two a, the
present time. NO are always prepared
To receive any number
Al this momcn, door opened. and
lad, not yet twcaty. appeared. bear.
'as dccan,cF OF wine. and at one.
began To- serve dinner with skill and
a dus;cflty admirable To behold.
When NC had flushed IN. courses.
vaidcTmcr- ordered cigars. and lean.
ins back in his easy. graceful way. he
said:
Ten years HEo I uttered a prophecy
was II faihlicd. my frIrnd."
My presence here completes It's
fnihliHi-ni.'' I said. sadly.
Ten years Ia long period. and
you have many things 10 say-or an.
I taxing yal.''
No. no. replied. Il wiii tell you
my story. but arc wr quite alonrr-'
We are quite alone. but let ia ii,
near the window. and yol ~ili scr a
rare sunset. yoI viii hear tn. pines
sing. and then I will bc grateful TO
hear you
H- arose and led the way to the
window. where t~p large easy chairs
were placed for our comfort. and from
whence w- could acc The sun sinking
In its crimson halo.
shall I nsS bcEin.- I said. &c.
lighting my cigar.
II am listening he replied. lean.
iHs back in his chair and blowing
great clouds Of smoke above him.
only fortnight after yau had left
us In India. ten years ago. I had gain.
cd sufficient strength for my Journey
back TO England. With my mind tot.
;u-cd by the anticipa;ious your words
hal induced. and my hear, biCrdins
with the anguish Of despair in fear Of
thcir fulfllmrni. my return was a
series Of gloomy days and nights In.
Patiently counted the hours of tina,
chccrlsss voyage. and finally. when
VIC reached port. | was among the
FIRST to land.
Il hsstpned TO 10. ION. where my
mother eagerly awaited my arrival. I
found her in tears. for the mrs, time
In my life. for though I always knew
yes. even before you told me-tha,
secret sorrow lay hidden in her
heart. she always smiled when came
near. impIorci her TO tell me her
sorrow that ! might share IL. She to.
piled. smiling through her tears. that
I could do nothing for her. that she
had received bad news from home.
From home cried. from Rus
sia. that arcursod land Of bondage
Let US not talk OF his. my son
In the FIRST hour of your haprr re-.
turn: let us not mar the joy of this
meeting which gives me such perfect
nsTpinCss.
but. mother I said. what npus
is ;his-i found you ucepinE-fur
whum-for vhat7'
Then she told me that she had irs;
received news Of her brothers exile
to the Siberian mines, and. oh. Cod,
my son. I; were better he had died
What had he done7' cried. un.
able to control my emotion.
lie had done only what other hon.
est men have done. simply cypresspJ;
an opinion. or openly performed an
act. which in any other country
would be considered an inaiienable
risht-but. in Russia. mans soul is
not his own. and IL man he a Jew.
his lot is ten.fold more horrible
is there no way to have his son.
tence cancelled. or at least commut.
ad7'