The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-02-08

yOu uO tnlS - henry, you uuSt W tfo
other! Why, you know you were as good
to me as a mother"
II like to sit and think Of the days
gone BY" she said, "and very often
think Of you. When we old people are
no longer able to employ our time at USE
full work, we find occupation in recalling
the past; a great pleasure lies in it."
"You are not quite old, dear Mrs.
Dane"
Il am not quite fifty yet my dear, but
am old in one sense-that l am close
upon the end of life. Those who are so
may surely be called old. estimating age
you see, by the duration of their time
here. And, do you know" she added, in
low, loving tones, that when we reach
this stage, we almost long for the final
change-for the better, brighter life
which il waiting for u.s."
"But you must have regrets" said
Lord Avon.
True. All must have them In de-
gree. We cannot help regretting this
world, the only home we have known. 1t
has not been all sunshine; rather, per-
haps, one of storm yet we know Its best
and Its worst, and we are entering one
which we do not know, and 50 there must
always lie within us a half wish to stay
here longer. And then-and then"
Mrs. Danes voice sank to a whisper.
She paused.
"And thenT' he softly whispered.
"And then Gods loving presence re-
| sumes its sway within us with all its re-
assuring comfort, and regrets are lost in
a glow of happiness. May it be with
you, my dear, when your own turn shall
come p
Lord Avon swallowed down a lump in
his throat. Mrs. Danes hand was still
in his; he pressed it gratefully, and there
ensued silence.
1T must seem hard to you, though, to
leave your children here"
"Yes, especially Edith. I have not
seen much Of Charlotte since her mar
| riage; she Is coming down now to stay a
week or two. Edith is married also.
feel anxious about Edith. l cannot help
fearing that she is not strong; that If
the battle of life should prove fierce, she
will not be able to breast 1t. She is ly-
ing down now. Their income is small,
and they have no residence, as we had"
Let me say word to you, dear Mrs.
Dane" he interrupted; 4 used to bring
my secrets to you in the days of yore.
Do you remember one in particular? A
boy got into the pond of Great Wilton,
and was nearly drowned, and l had the
credit of having pushed him in, and was
punished for 1t by Mr.. Dane"
Il remember it well, Henry" she said,
calling him unconsciously by the old ia
miliar name. ut was Jack Whitaker"
Just so. Every one fell upon my de-
voted head, approaching me with being a
wicked and cruel youngster, safe to come
to a bad end. took their abuse quietly,
and l took Mr.. Danes punishment
fearful task Of Greek, which to me was
punishment in earnest; and when the
thing was all over and done, l whispered
the truth to you one day in your dress
ing room, as you were sewing up a rent
which l had torn in my jacket sleeve
that 1t was not l who had thrown Whit.
taker into the pond. Did you believe
me?"
Eyes, my dear, did believe you; to me
tell me who it was that threw him in,
though; l recollect that"
I'll tell you now. 1t was Jack him
self. He had been at some mischief at
Mr.. Chesters; stealing the apricots, l
believe; and he was getting away when
he heard hue and cry behind him. In
his terror, for Whitaker was an arrant
coward, he dashed to the side of the
pond, meaning to hide himself among the
rushes; missing his footing, he dashed
right into 1t. l was standing by anG
saw the process After all, the noise was
not in pursuit of him, but of bull which
had got loose from Farmer. Ulthorn',
field"
"Why did you take the punishment? p
when he foundered out, like a drown
ed rat, l helping him, he begged ant
implored me not to say that he had Jump
, That's how it was. Well, you believe,
me then, dear Mrs. Dane, and know 20,
will believe me now. You have blame,
t me in your heart for promising Grea
. Wilton to Mr.. Baumgarten. and thel
annuling it by bestowing it elsewhere, bu
the fault did not lie with me-"
mo! With Lady Avon, perhaps"
mo, no, no; she wished Mr.. Baum
, garten to have it. The whole affair wa
the result of an unfortunate mistake.
= committed it, but in unconscious errol
E which l and my mother alike regre
/ Suffer this explanation to rest quite b,
e tween ourselves, please. l should nc
e have made it but that l cannot bear fo
the dear old friend of my boyhood
a think unkindly of me. l saw Jack Viii
- taker the other day. continued Lor
Avon, his tone changing to lighter or
n as he rose to depart. We met in Picc.
l. dilly."
/, "How is Jack getting on?'
l. "Very we'll, l believe. He has his po
in the Red Tape Office and a good il
. come from his uncle's property. He to-
me he had married charming girl, asl
n ed me If | would not go down to see he
I. They live on the banks of the Thame
# somewhere near Richmond
# How long shall you remain here,
i questioned Mrs. Dane, as she held h
II hand in parting.
n "Only few days. l am going I'M
Warwickshire for some shooting. Gi'
e my love to Edith-if that's prop
message to young lady who is married
I. he concluded, laughing.
." As he was walking homeward, Gle
!. gyman, walking quickly, met and pass
II him. A young man, tall and stated
whose dark, deep-set, beautiful eyes loo