The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-18

JOHNS WIFE" HE SAID GENTLY.
bring credentials for your inspection.
Eta would not care for them. But
now l think it best for me to go down
only for day or two and. with your
consent, come back with a minister.
Memorial day is Wednesday, and I'll
get here Tuesday afternoon. Thurs
day or Friday we will all go to my
house until ! make other arrange
ments."
Leave herew exclaimed Mrs. Jordan
"Yes; it will be best. Your husband
would say so. From what you have
told me of your life since he died you
can realize something Of what the fu-
ture would be. We could come back
every year. and it will be nice to come
at this season. to be here Memorial
day. You can trust me, Mrs Jordan"
The old woman looked at him steadi-
ly for some moments, her eyes soften
ing.
"Yes, Howard, ! can trust you." she
said. You could not look at me like
that otherwise. 1t may be you are
right. think you are. We will ex-
pect you Tuesday"
After he had gone the yearning visit
fulncss again returned to her eyes.
81 wish had asked him to bring a
few rosebuds," she said regretfully.
"John loved roses more than all the
other flowers. They were his favor
ties. l did think Of it, but did not
like to ask"
"Oh, grandma. ! wish you had! e1-
claimed Eta. Howard would have
been only too glad. And he won't be
back in time to get the rhododendrons
he spoke about. We must pick all the
flowers we can. and perhaps we will
find some pretty lenves to arrange
with them"
So all day Monday and Tuesday
morning saw them searching after
flowers; but. though the quantity was
satisfactory, the quality was not. as
showed in the disappointed eyes. They
were on the bench seat arranging
them when they heard the sound of
hoof beats and looked down the path to
see four horsemen approaching instead
Of two.
Howard and tall, distinguished
looking man with white hair and beard
were riding ahead. Behind them was
a grave young fellow whose dress be-
smoke the clergyman. The fourth rider
was almost hidden by huge paste
board box carried across the pommel
Of his saddle. Howard and his COM
panion sprang from their horses-the
older with almost rs much ease as tie
younger-and came forward
Mrs. Lieutenant Jordan" said How
ard, this is my grandfather. General
Tavis, and this" lingering little on
the name, "is Eta, grandfather.
Mrs. Jordan had risen to welcome
them, but at the name she suddenly
swayed. The general caught both her
hands.
Johns WIFE lie said gently. 81
would like to have met you under diff
ferent circumstances with him, but
waited too long When Howard told
me. | had to come And this is Eta.
turning to the young girl AMI kissing
her. Howard has told me about you,
TOO. my dear He is fortunate. And l
am fortunate in the prospect Of hav-
ing you and Johns wife with me. |
tell Howard he must not think of 60
Ing away into business. My affairs
are too much for an old man like me
to attend to, and my house IS alto
cether too large for my own Use. |
think we can he very happy there to-
ccthcr. Now. Peter. Ia the man with
the big box. you may bring The roses
here"
Roses" faltcrcd Mrs. Jordan.
Yes. | remembered they were
Johns fLvorilc flower. so have brought
few. You and Eta can show Peter
how To arrange them while Howard
and walk up the slope It'll" way.
Later we will talk about John"
Simple hearts put all tn" history and
customs OF this world bchiud them
and play their own play in inn"c"nt
defiance of the blue laws Of the world
Emerson.