New-York tribune., 1911-11-19
THE RETURN

visible through his open window was clear
and sunny. \ hcccy, rose tinted cloud
drif,cd acrOssit its azure In the distance robins
called and a passing breeze brought IN Its
train an odor of blossoming lilac. moist and
enhancing. And suddenly the far sky had
given place to the shadowy staircase on which
ne had last seen Mary and she was coming
down.
She was in simple white, just as he had
last seen her. and in her arms she Graded
a small white bundle Her glance held all
the sweetness of womanhood in it; but the
wide ewes above were wistful And what
was this they bore behind her;
The vision faded, and almost before the
white cloud had dispersed the man was out
Of bed, dressing ordering hack 10 take
him to the station. He had no idea what the
vision meant; but a long hushcd something
was stirring within him, and he felt that he
had received psychic summons Out OF the
past long silent voices called him, and in
obedience ne was Fastening home"
THE tram drew into the shabby, well
l. remembered station, and he swung off
and made his way into Aain-st., which
showed but few changes. Nobody rccog-
nizcd him, of course. but he saw one or
two faces familiar despite Times relentless
markings, and he heard couple of drug
store loafcrs speak of "the Lcwcs funeral.
After that he dared not voice the intended
question. He could only push on straight
10 Marv's old dwelling. His heart lcapcd to
find IL apparently Just as when he went away.
The lilacs. old but still thrifty, were
abIoom in the dooryard. It had rained
that morning. and the soft air seemed bathcd
I'm their glorious perfume. The same huge
bush still leaned over the porch rail as in
welcome, and when, trembling a little, he
rang the bell Mary herself answered the
door q moment later. At sight of her Davis
felt thrill that told him how thorough WAS
this strange resurrection of his long afro
phicd soul. He could have worshipci her
as she stood there. amazed but smiling, with
her simple white gown falling softly about
her, and a little downy head cuddlcd into
the divine hollow" of her slender throat.
MARY he cried, and found his voice no
more than a whisper. 81 thought
NO" she told him, seeing that he could
not finish, that was Shcila. We buried her
yesterday.
He swaycd as he stood, and her eyes, sad
and tender with long love and sorrow, saw
that he suffered She swung the door wider.
"Won't yOu-Comc in;"
This time il was ne who would have In
gcrel i'm the sunshine; but she led the way,
JUS, as of DID, 10 the cool. dim parlor un-
canulv haunted by lingering scent of yes
tcrday's flowers. Again as Of old she sank
into the low rocker and deity mothcrcd the
stirring baby. While she crooned 1t back 10
sleep David studied her eagerly. She was
.palcr than he remembered, and the red lips
curved TO unwontcd pathos; but otherwise
the years that had left him gray and lined
seemed 10 have made Slight impression upon
her. Her face was still like delicate flower,
her ewes blue. her hair bright as ever. But
that the baby in her arms was smaller than
had been that earlier infant the whole
scene might have been the same.
She loo5cdup presently, calm and sweet as
ever and ne began TO ask questions.
Your father. MARY
"Oh. Father is well, smiling brightly.
~Hc is an old man now,-you remember he
was always the kind of man to grow old
carv,-but he has good health and is happy.
lie married again the year after YOU went
West"
"Thc Children
~Thc children" The smile was infinitely
sad now, and the wide eyes darkened.