The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-08-14


OF the property himself He took the train on the day
that nc thought OF IT, and, arriving i'll Middleton next
morning, inspected his old home with his agent gave his
instructions and found himself with hall a day to
spare.
lie turned once TO Judge Has,crs cottage. He was
curious to what the years had done for Jane As for
mmeslf, he was always dissociatcd IN his own mind
from the events in which he figured that his own rcspon
sbily never occurred to him That he had had a hand
IN whatever Jane had become did not once cross his
mind They had reacted upon each other for time that
was all; why was he 10 blame to praise, or to be
responsible for any standards that she had chosen to feel
thereafter? Il did not occur TO him.
1t pleasant that nothing about the place had
changed The arbor the white gable in tho green the
margod bed, all scrcnely in place Even as he
looked a little pink frock fitted ont OF the arbor and
then another Catching. sight of him entering tho gate,
ment threw themselves viocnely upon him.
+" It's Rudolph" cried Eva.
"Wudoph'' - echoed Margcry, costatically
Rudolph stared at them Who they? How did
they know his name?
They laid hold upon him by each hand and led him
You've been way off" Eva informed him
"On the boat" supplemented Margery
Have you come to take us all back with your" de-
manded Eva pointblank
On the boat" inquired Marccry, fcvershly
She said you'd never come back any more" cried
Eva. I'm gong 10 tell her"
Where's all my nice candy2" inquired Margery, eye
ing his pockets suspiciousy.
Rudolph looked at her hclplessy and he looked help
essy after Eva, who had Just olamorously upon
Jane, bringing her book to the arbor.
Oh, come and Rudolph, called Eva loyfully
" You said hcd never come back, but he Is |"
Jane him in the door OF tho arbor under the vel
low She stood still, and her hand clasped little
Evas till tho child looked up terror Then they went
on together quietly enough and Jane put her hand
How Strange!' she said.
She stood looking up in Rudophs face-thc face that
she had hungcrcd and thrstcd sec her eyes sezng
upon the remembered soft hair and tender mouth and
deep eyes curious atmosphere of unrealiy about
HIM 50 used had She grown to her dream OF him that
his presence was almost that of stranger. But how
likc-how like
I'm 50 glad, Jane said Rudolph, looking wonder
ingy into the face that had won much womanlness
Are you glad, too2'
Jane sank the arbor scat and he sat opposite her.
watching this Jane with great returning tender
ness Her eyes the ground and she was strug-
Cling with strange impression OF resentment Why
had he come Why had he come from the grave to
find her and to mock her pcacc7 She spoke the words
aloud.
why have you come back?' she asked perplcXedly.
The words reused Rudolph
Now really. he cried, lightly, what welcome for
a returned wandcrerl have to sec YOU of course
You are to say at once that you arc glad to me-.
His words put Jane her case. II this were to be
his attitude she knew what to do.
Indeed, am glad" she said relaxing; Eva, please
ask Mary for bottle of raspberry wine and seed
cakes"
The children ran away. and Rudolph forgot for the
time question her about them, absorbed he in
wonder at the gentle reticcnce and the quiet that had
come to her
Tell me OF you" said Jane feeling instnctvcly that
to encourage to talk of themselves Is the only
refuge from personalities. Rudolph fell willing VIC
tim and he talked freely, painstakingly and luxurousy
OF himself lie told her OF his life IN Paris. OF hs work,
OF tho admratons the tributes the dinners, all but the
affairs indeed that had been his He spoke IDLY of this
school and that cult and now and then he dropped
one of his old ccStac moments of the worship OF
thing good. Jane listened in amazcment he sanity
and reality Of her life made her SIT above hum as she
II did above gorgeous butterfly waving Its wings
\ admirngy at its own shadow.
II And now" said Rudolph, finally. what of youa
\ What of you, Jane? Tell me
II Eva and Nargcry came back then little Hebes OF the
u aSpberry wine and yellow cakes
II The cakes are just baked. mother explained Eva.
Il Rudolph started at the address.
II "Tanc f" he cried "Why. Jane no has told me"
II Jane poured the sweet wine, strange little smile upon
/ her lips
II NO he assured her Who is your husband Jane1"
4 Jane handed the delicate, bcady dTsgeht .,1.
4 lie dead she said, meeting Rudolphs eyes he
Il died long ago.
1 Rudolph murmurcd his sympathy, and looked at her
4 with new eyes he drained his glass.
\ How exquisite she was grown how womanly how her
7 old tac sympathy thrilled him! And she had loved
| him-thS woman whom another man had won for his
own She was apparently happy, and he himself though
he had found much, had not once found happiness He
looked through the twisted arbor roseboughs and the
/ hum of the peaceful garden pleasantly and WOO
ingly to his ears His eyes sought Jane's Ian
il Dead long ago he repeated oh, Jane, he said
like tired child do you think-do you think that you
could love me-now?
lane slipped her wine and met his eyes. and smiled:
IL" she said TRANQUILITY. would be lost in Paris"
"I ct us stay here then cried Rudolph, with i'm
petuous determination. will not sell the hill house
Come there with me. Let us make home' ana DC ohe
another'sl"
Jane shook her head. still smiling
Indeed l cannot She said. gently; indeed cam
not
Rudolph his amazcmcnt whetng his decision. grew
eloquent and his wounded dignity spoke Tor him. Jane
smiled and slipped her raspberry wine
Indeed cannot" she repeated -, .;.,.-,,.s
'Oh is it," he asked. finally, with some bitterness,
that YOU arc one of the women who are true to
memory" . O..
memory"
When he went away trying in vain TO assusse his hurt
bva prctcnse Of amusement at himself Jane looked ser
hin, through the rose bouehs. with no suffering 10 bit
,erncss no regret The cmldrcns voices came to her.
calling Rudolph camorous good-by from the eatepoIits I
over the narigold bed. " The neyer-lgh'ed hre' sne
said; how many one IL warns