The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16

The wind blew gently, and the leaves on the old chestnut tree were just be- ginning to bud; the flowers were walk ing up from their long sleep. The last rays of the setting sun touched with a rosy light the old Colonial house on the hill; the whole scene wore cheer ful aspect after the long dreary win ter; but not for Major Willfroute, whose white, drawn face and clenched hands betrayed some inward tumult. He paced restlessly 70 and fro, every little while passing his hand over his eyes as if tO push back mist, which hindered his sight,
 Once he ceased his restless walk. and surveyed with a grim smile the house on the hill Ever since a day five years ago. when the news came of Lees surrender, the Major had become changed man. His once bright eyes were faded and dim; his upright figure bowed and bent; but his fine clear-cut features were the same save hard, cold line around the mouth ana a heavy creaaaas ssthveen. the eyes he had aged grearaa7s =bRese few years, Indeed. he had enough trouble to make him old and worn. When the news or the fall of Sumter came, he and ms three sons joined Stuart in Virginia. Mrs. Willfronte and a young orphaned cousin Mabel, were left alone in the great house.
 After the surrender. the Major had hastened home. and soon after nm, Jack and Ben; but Brantley' the thlru son. never had returned. Some thought he was dead but if he had died, surely they would have heard. Others thought that he had deserted, and was ashamed to come back and face the consequences. It was this trouble more than all of the rest, which made the Major so cold and stern. To thlnk his son, his favorite son, deserter' The thought was indeed bitter one to the proud old man who felt great prlde in n saber cut above his right elbow and bullet mark on the neck; who had for years kept in his private study inc nortraits of his forefathers, espe- cia1y Brantley Willfronte, who had fought at Bunker HILL
 Then there was the mortgage on the house. which was due in a few weeks, and the Major had no way or ralsinS ' means to nay it off. His white face twitched with emotion at the thought Inf narting with the home )f the Will 1 fron+es ever since Captain John Will ] fronte came over to Virginia in the 1 latter part of the seventeenth century i An the thought was indeed bitter | one
 TheMaior sat down on d bench undei the trees, and let his head drop on his hands to ponder over days before the war. He was recalled from his dreams bv the voice of Uncle Nap, who handed him telegram. Tearing open the vel low envelope. he read: Have just re turned from Cuba; will be home al spven-thirty. Prantley." The Majors brow darkened, as he thought of thu hard things said about Braltl"v, anr inc scorn he would be compelled tC boar when hc returned. Rising, h, gtrode LID to the house to 'ell his wifi the news. He found her sitting in the parlor looking at a picture of Brantle' when he was an infant in arms. Sh' glanced up, when the Major entered and there were tears in her eyes.
 "Oh! Ben." she cried, "I can't bu hone some day Brantley will return;
 dreamed last night he had come home and if he does, you will forgive him won't you dear? Why. Ben what i inc matter?" As the Major sank int, a chair with a groan. Yes, he is com ing tonight: but he is no longer a sOl of mine; a deserter is no longer a sol of mine; as long as l thought him dea' there was, at least, the consolation that he had been a soldier; and he Is n