Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-06
The Minister'S Wife
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD

other" Why, you know you were as good
to me as mother"
II like to sit and think of the days
gone BY" she said, land 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; great pleasure lies in It,"
'You are not quite old, dear Mrs.
Dane"
II am not quite fifty yet. my dear, but
I am old in one sense-that I 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 is 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 so there must
always lie within us half wish to stay
here longer. And then-and then"
Mrs. Danes voice sank to a whisper.
She paused.
"And then?' 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
glow of happiness. May it be with
you. my dear, when your own turn shall
come! !"
Lord Avon swallowed down a lump in
his throat. Mrs. Danes hand was still
in his: he pressed it gratefully, and there
ensued silence.
ut must seem hard to you, though, to
leave your children here"
Eyes, especially Edith. l have not
seen much Of Charlotte since her mar
riage; she is coming down now to stay
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 it. She is ~
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; I 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 Whitton,
and was nearly drowned. and l had the
credit of having pushed him in, and was
punished for it by Mr.. Dane"
II 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, reproaching me with being a
wicked and cruel youngster, safe to come
to bad end. l took their abuse quietly.
and l took Mr.. Danes punishment-a
fearful task of Greek, which to me was
punishment in earnest; and when the
thing was all over and done, 1 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
you were ever truthful. You would not
tell me who 1t was that threw him in,
though; recollect that"
I'll tell you now. 1t was Jack him
self. He had been at some mischief at
Mr.. Chester's: stealing the apricots, l
believe; and he was getting away when
he heard a 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 it. was standing by and
saw the process. After all, the noise was
not in pursuit of him, but of bull which
had got loose from Farmer Ulthorn's
6eId."
"Why did you take the punishment"
when he foundered out, like a drown
ed rat, l helping him, he begged and
implored me not to say that he had jump
ed in. gave him my word would not
That's how it was. Well, you believed
me then, dear Mrs. Dane, and know YOU
will believe me now. You have blamed
me In your heart for promising Great
Wilton to Mr.. Baumgarten. and then
annulling it by bestowing it elsewhere, but
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 was
the result of an unfortunate mistake. |
committed it, but in unconscious error,
which l and my mother alike regret,
Suffer this explanation to rest quite be-
tween ourselves, please. should not
have made it but that | cannot bear for
the dear old friend of my boyhood to
think unkindly of me. saw Jack Whit
taker the other day." continued Lord
Avon. his tone changing to lighter one
as be rose to depart. We met in picca-
dilly."
How is Jack getting on?"
Very well, believe. He has his post
in the Red Tape Office and good in
come from his uncle's property. He told
me he had married charming girl, ask
ed me II l would not go down to see her.
They live on the banks of the Thames,
somewhere near Richmond"
"How long shall you remain here?''
questioned Mrs. Dane, as she held his
hand in parting.
"Only a few days. am going into
Wafwickshire for some shooting. Give
my love to Edith-if that's a proper
mess sage to young lady who is married,
he concluded. laughing.
Az he was walking homeward a cler-
gyman, walking quickly, met and passed
him A yOunU man fall and stately