Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-06-11


grieving business. by George
The large brown fist struck the table
with force that startled the three
women. They watched Mr.. Lane
march from the room with angry
strides, and when the door had closed
with an echolng slam their heads bent
together in whispered consultation.
Memorial day was holiday, and the
Lanes usually spent 1t with relatives
in an adjoining village. This day was
no exception, and so it was quite ear
ly In the morning that they drove
away in the comfortable surrey, leav-
Ing Robert Munson standing bare
headed by the wide white gate.
Esther had said nothing about going
to the cemetery to place flowers on
Roberts grave She would wait until
their return, and when the crowd had
left the graveyard she would climb
alone In the sunset.
When the long day was closing they
came home again, Esther with her
arms full Of white blossoms CLEANED
from her aunt's garden. The new
farm hand had taken advantage of the
holiday and was nowhere to be seen,
so Farmer Lane put up the horses and
the others went indoors.
"Ill be back presently, mother"
said Esther, tossing her hat on the ta-
BILE and gathering up her flowers. I'm
going to the cemetery now Lion
will come with me-"
"Very well, dear" said Mrs. Lane.
Esther whistled to the dog and walk
ed through the orchard to the pasture.
Robert Munson was leaning on the
fence, looking at the reflected lights
on the distant hills.
II am going up on the hill, Robert
VIII you come along and carry my
f1owers?" asked Esther bravely.
"Certainly, Miss Esther" he said
pleasantly. and so together they cross
ed the pasture and climbed the hill to
the place where the tall white shaft
made memorial for the fallen soldier
boy. All about the base beautiful
flowers were strewn, and some one
had placed a little flag In the green
ously at the inscription when Esther
gently took the flowers from his grasp
and dropped them on the ground at
his feet. Then she placed her hands
on his shoulders and looked into his
eyes,
Robert, Robert" she cried tragical-
ly. Don't you know me won't you
ever recognize me agan?"
Very tenderly Robert Munson took
her cold hands in his warm ones, and
the firm pressure Of his grasp seemed
to give her wavering strength more
courage.
Miss Esther" he said gently, whom
do you take me for? Who do you
think l ann"
You are Robert Webb!" she cried
eagerly. "See-this stone was erected
for you. Your father died of broken
heart when you were killed, and your
mother went away to live with her Sis
ter. l am here. have not forgotten.
See-I have kept your picture all these
years. l have worn 1t always here"
She drew away her hands and pulled
chain from her neck and opened a
round locket. The picture therein was
that Of young man, much younger
than Robert Munson. and. while there
was resemblance, 1t might have been
more in expression than in actual fea-
lures.
fnl l-o
Miss Esther" said Munson at last. II
am so sorry. l wish | knew what to
say to you. | suppose you think the
report Of Webb's death was an error
and that l am he, but it is not So"
He stretched out a hand to support
her wavering figure, but she leaned
for support against the white marble.
Il have seen service in the Philippines,
and did know Bob Webb for short
time, and l know he was killed. am
sorry to have to tell you this. AS for
myself ! wanted a season in the coun-
try at hard work to recover my health.
1t Is sheer chance that came to Little
River and was directed to your IA
TIERS farm. l have parents and broth
L.
afraid l can prove only too well that
l am not Robert Webb" He looked
down at her with infinite pity in his
fine eyes-a pity that was so akin to
something warmer that she seemed to
feel 1t infold her like comforting
garment.
II am so sorry l have annoyed you.
What must you think Of me? You
see Esther broke down and sobbed
bitterly, and Robert Munson stood be-
side her with friendly hand pressing
her shoulder. 1t was with his hand
kerchief that Esther wiped away her
tears, while he knelt down and deftly
strewed the flowers she had brought
about the foot of the shaft. Then he
rose to his tall height and held out his
hand.
"Come, Miss Esther; let us go back
home again. There are light and life
beyond as we'll as here. We who are
left behind have our work to do In
the world. I'm clumsy fellow at ex-
pressing myself, but try to look on
the bright side of things"
1t was a quiet walk home again
across the pasture and through the
orchard, and it proved to be many a
long day before Esther took the same
route again. There seemed to be
veil lifted after that day. Life was
brighter, better, and love seemed not
10 hn hn cINa