McCook weekly tribune., January 10, 1884, Image 7

About McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886

Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE

                
THE STORY OF LIFE ;
Say , wn it Is Hfol ' 'TIs to be born ;
A helpless babe to , greet the light
\Vithahbnrpwail , astt tho-morn
Foretold a cloudvnoen and night ;
To weep , to sleep , nnd weep again ,
With sunny smiles between and then !
And then apacotbo infant grows '
To ho a laughing , sprightly boy ,
Happy , despite his little woes ,
"Were he but consdoas of his Joy !
To bo , In short , from two to ten ;
Amerry , moody child and then ?
And then In coat and trousers clad ,
To learn to say the decalogue ,
And nrcukit , an unthinking lad ,
"With mirth and mischief all agog ,
A truant oft by field and fen ,
Ana capture butterflies ?
And then , increased in strength and siz
. To bo , auon , a youth full grown ,
The hero in his mother's eyes ,
AVOUCR Apollo in his own ;
To imitate the ways of men
In fashionable sin and then ?
And then , at last to bo a man ,
To fall in love , to woo and wed 1
With seething brain to scheme and plan
To gather gold or toil for bread ;
To trie for fame , with tongue and pen ,
And gain or lose the prize a'nd then ?
And then in gray and wrinkled old ,
To mourn the speed of life's decline ;
To praise the scones our youth behold ,
And dwell in memory of lang syne ;
To dream awhile with darkened ken ,
To drop into the grave and then ?
[ John G. Saxo.
ON THE UTTER.
"So Vane is at his old tricks agaii
If I were that girl's father or brother ,
should be inclined to express my opii
ion of his tactics verv strpngly. "
'
"Is that Mies Ellio'tt P I have notice
I-
- aim by her side more than half th
evening but , if I may judge from th
lady's expression , his attentions are nc
otherwise than acceptable. "
"Splendidly handsome girl , isn'
she ? Alice Hargreaves , the new beautj
is not a patch upon her in my opiti
ion. "
"Handsome enough for these wh
admire that style great eastern eye
and Juno-like figure. For my own par
I prefer something softer and nior
feminine. "
"So apparently did Vane yfesisrda ;
morning. He was sitting in the parl
under Mrs. Fairfax's parasol for eve
an hour and a half. How a proud gir
like Blanche Elliot can stand such ai
open rivalry passes my comprehension. '
t "Mrs. Fairfax ? The widow of Jacl
Fairfax , of the artillery ? "
"Even o Nina Forrester that was
You must remember her , Graham :
pretty little fair-haired thing who look ;
as if a puff of wind would blow hoi
away. She is awfully well off Jacl
took good care of that , poor old chap !
And really she looks hardly more thai
a child still , though she has" little girl
as pretty as herself , over five year :
old. "
"And she is flirting with young Vane
you say ? "
"Flirting ! She is the veriest little
flirt in England. Her villa at Twicken
ham is a paradise for that kind oi
amusement. Sloping lavn down tc
the river boat always read strawber
ries and cream and a pretty little host
ess so charmed to see you if you run
down far a breath of fresh air on a hot
afternoon. She has been up in town
this week , staying with her brother , but
was to go home yestarday.
During this last speech Colonel Gra-
hame's attention had been chiefly be
stowed upon JMiss Elliot and the coun
tenance of the man who is so assidu
ously bending over her.
It is a very good-looking face a face
which one of Sir Reginald Vane's dog-
loving friends has sometimes likened tea
a Gordon setter , with dark , lustrous
eyes and delicate profile and if there
are weak lines marring the mouth and
chin , they are concealed by the black
silky mustache which covers both. He
is a popnlar man , 'especially with the
svomen , who easily learn to call him
-"Reggie , " and smile over the rather
which have
free-and-easy compliments
A charm of their own when uttered in
that IOTV musical mnrnmr. In fact , a
-drawing-room pet of the nineteenth
century , such as one meets with here
zand there in the course of every season.
Of a very different type is Leslie Gra
hame , the man \vho standing in the
doorvvay , has been listening to the care
less remarks of a gossiping acquain
tance. Of Scottish descent and with a
niiigpil cast of features common to that
nation , he might , except for his com
manding height , pass unnoticed in the
crowd "resembled at Lady Hethering-
ton's "At Home : " But probably , on
Aldershot field-day , a spectator would
pick out the cavalry officer who sits on
fcis boras so gallantly ( though three
fingers of his bridle hand are gone , and
he. is fain to wind the charger's reins
around his wrist ) aa an object of curi
osity
For do not other medals besides those
so lately won in Egypt decorate his
breast , and is there not some danger '
'in
client and natural to attract your a
tention although it is rather wonde
ful for Colonel Greshamo to cond
eceud to notice any one. His head
usually in the clouds- "
"Helooks out of place hero , and 1
feels it. See he is 'sloping off , ' as yc
say. Grahame I remember the nann
a V. C. , is he not ? "
"Just so. A great hero in his waj
but not a very amusing companion j
ordinary life. I only know him t
sight , however. But tell me once mon
when and where am I to BOO yc
again ? "
Mis- Elliot was playing with her fai
and contrives with it to hide the cole
that for a moment overspreads her fac
at this question.
As she remains silent ho repeats
more eagerly.
"You uimw'niy hours I always rid
in the evening this hot weather 5 to
I shall probably do so to-morrow. "
"To-morrow ? " Vane's handsoir
face betrays evident disturbance. "
am afraid 1 shall be out of town. Ver
provoking an old engagement with
relation. "
"Why stoop to prevarication. Si
Reginald ? " Blanche lias risen now , an
her dark eyes are flashing. "You ar
your own master. See , mamma i
beckoning to me. Good-night. Yo
will find it cool and pleasant on th
river to-morrow. " And with this parl
ing shot she is gone ; leaving Van
looking decidedly foolish , and , what i
worse , unpleasantly conscious that h
is looking so.
" ! " ho h
"By George soliloquized , as
lit a cigar during his -walk to the club
"How savage she can look when sh
pleases ! let I don't know but that
admire her all the more a flare-u ]
shows off those magnificent eyes am
the very iact of jealousy betrays an in
terest in my moTerne'nts. Still , th
widow is decidedly pretty and I hav
been down on my luek lately and sadl1 *
need a windfall. And I really heliev
she is fond of me , dear little soul ! "
And Sir Reginald Vane's reflection :
not leading him to any satisfactory con
elusion , the next afternoon fiuds him a
Waterloo , taking a return ticket t <
Twickenham.
Five minutes' wait from the railroac
station brings him to.a. . . charming little
rillft , with green lawn sloping down tc
-he river , while from beneath a weep-
ng ash a dainty little figure , emerging
'rom the depth of a ohaise lounge ,
ionics with hand extended to meet him !
In her cool , white , summer draper-
es , and with the flickering sunbeams
ighting up her great childish blue eyes
uid waves of pale golden hair , Airs.
Fairfax is as pleasant an object as anj
nan's eye could rest upon. So Reggie
irraue thinks , as , with a sigh and mur-
uur of satisfaction , he biaks upon a
ieat by her side , takes off his hat and
iclps himself uninvited from the fra-
rrant pile of strawberries in the basket
iearat hand.
"Frightfully hot in London , is it
lot ? " asks his hostess sympathetically.
'Even here Queenie and 1 have been
tble to do nothing but'lounge about in
he shade and eatstrawbevries. Where
the child ? "
3 , by-thu-by
A tiny counterpart of herself , giving
iromise of even greater beauty , hero
omes up and presents a tiny hand to
fane ; but when he attempts to kiss
ler she shakes her yellow curls over
ier face and struggled away.
"Why , Queenie. what have I done ? "
ie asks , half offended , yet too languid
0 go in pursuit of the baby coquette.
The mother's silvery laugh rang out
lorrily.
"You forgot to take away the rose
he gave you when you were last here ,
fever mind , Queenie , you must for-
ive him. now. "
"And wont't you bring me another
1 token of pardon ? " as the rosebud
louthmeets his half reluctantly ,
'ueenie ' hesitates , but finally conquered
y that winning voice and smile , goes
ff in pursuit of the desired gift.
"And now. Monsieur , " says the little
oman , leaning back on her cushions ,
ad surveying the visitor through the
, rge innocent blue eyes , "how has the
orld been using you since last xveinet ?
ome , , give an account of yourself ,
fhere wore you last night ? "
"Dined at the St. Elmos' . Stupid
fair , and intolerably hot and no one
orth speaking to. "
"Miss Elliot was not there ? " this in
careless little tone of inquiry.
"No. I took in one of the girls of
e house , who had not two words to
y for herself. "
"And who left the field open for your
oqiience ! Come , Reggie , don't be
oas ; take some more strawberries. I
ant you to amuse me now you are
ire. Where did you go afterwards ? "
"To a 'couple of stupid crushes
ally a barbarous institution in this
jather. Lady Hetherington's rooms
ire tolerably cool , however.
"And you enjoyed yourself there ?
is.hardly like you to honor an even-
9f rout when there is no dancing un-
ss some special attraction tempted
u. "
"And how could that bo when you
; re at Twickenham ? "
"Well meant , my friend , but hardly
gracefully expressed as I should have
pected from yon. Queenie , darling ,
n in to usk why they don't bring
i"
"Here it comes1 anC confound it !
other visitor. Why cannot that but-
of yours learn discretion ? "
' 'Because I prefer to exercise my
rn , " replies Mrs. Fairfax. And the
tie figure is drawn up , and the baby
je takes un expression for a moment
iich warns Vane he has gone too far.
"Who would have thought , " hetnur-
irs into his beard , "that the little
cat could show such claws ? " I
ssy
Meanwhile Mrs. Fairfax hiis risen i
d moves forward to receiveJier guest. ;
The servant mumbles a name * whii
she does not catch , and she lifts h
pretty appealing eyes in some perple
ity to the stranger's face.
Something she reads in that grav
bronzed countenance brings back o
memories recalling a time long pas
ed away , before poor Jack Fairfax we
her with his hasty , impetuous tale
love before she had , as it were , leapt
suddenly from childhood into the gla
and excitement of a spoiled beautj
life. Nor is the dream dispelled win
the visitor speaks , unconsciously softe
ing his deep tones with the gentleno
he would have used in addressing
child.
"You have not forgotten me , Mr
Fairfax ? I do not wonder it is yea
since wo met ; and "
"No , noM she suddenly cried , with
joyous clap of he.r hands. "You ai
Captain Grahame my playfellow i
long ago. I remember you quite wol
but BO much has happened since the ;
days "
"I know , ' " he answered , geatl ;
wondering whether the shadow in hi
blue eyes is caused by Jack's memor
or aa ho looks at the handsome yoiui
fellow so evidently at homo in th
garden by Jack's" chosen SUCCOSHO
And then the two men glare at or
another , after the fashion common t
Englishmen when they meet for t !
first time , and are uncertain whether t
be on friendly terms or to fly at eac
other's throats.
"Sir Reginald Vno captain uo ,
is colonel now , surely ? I thought . o-
Uolonol Grahame. " And while a sti
bow is exchanged she proceeds to pot
aut the tea.
. Vane renews his attentions t
Queenio , but she from some pervert
instinct of coquetry bestows all he
favors upon the colonel , whose grav
ispect would hardly prove attractive t
children in general. Yet it melts int
i kindly smile as , lifting the little on
ipon his knee , he glances from her face
, o that of her mother , older o'nly b
ionie eighteen years , and recalls th
lays when Nina Forrester had sat a
tonlidingly on the knee of the sh ;
roung cornet.
"You will let me scull you up th <
iver , Mrs. Fairfax ? " says Vane , as b
mts down his tea-cup. "I have no
orgotten" ( here his voice takes a mon
ender inflection ) "our last expeneuci
0 Hampton Court. "
Mrs. Fairfax looks doubtfully towan
ier other guest , who somewhat stiflii
ibserves : "Don't let me be auy hin
iranco to your plans. Or perhaps yet
rill allow me to take an oar in youi
ervice ? "
Vane's face darkens , but the widov
laps her hands and answers , gaily
'Capital ' ! It would really have beet
ard work for one alone in this boat. '
So Queenie runs to fetch her mother's
at , but at the last moment finds the
harms of a favorite kitten's societj
resistible , and selects to remain on
jrra firina herself.
Vane pulls stroke , and the boat glides
nioothly away from the Emerald bank
nd out into the glossy expanse ol
ater , amid scores of others gayly la-
en with a similar freight , and looking
3 if playing their part in some holiday
; ene.
"This has been very hard on me , "
turmurs Nane , so that his words are
idible to the fair steerer only. "My
leasant afternoon all spoiled bo-
mse "
"Because you are a foolish , self-
illed boy , " answers the little woman ,
ho albeit some four years his junior ,
) metimes likes to play at maternal
rs. "Come , shake off your fit of the
lues ! Be agreeable , and stay and
ine with us. "
"With us ? Are you goLag" ( very
w ) "to invite that fellow , too ? "
"Certainly I am. He is one of my
jry oldest friends" ( "old enough ! "
uinbles Vane ) "and I have not seen
m for years. We 'have heaps of
ings to say to one another. "
"Then ou will certainly get through
em better uninterrupted , " says Sir
sginald , in a spiteful sotto voice ,
lien aloud : "I am awfully sorry ,
rs. Fairfax , but I have just remem-
ired that I am to dine out to-night. I
1 afraid I shall have to ask you tend
nd rue at Surbiton , so that I can get
ime by train. Steer more to the
rht , please ; you are running us into
at barge , "
"What are you growing nervous ? "
d again that sweet , clear laugh rings
fc , and Vane grinds his teeth as ho
; ls , rather than sees , that a grim
die is overspreading the face behind
n.
n.When
When Surbiton is reached at length
scarcely attempts to disguise his ref -
f as he springs ashore.
"Good-byo ! Many thanks , Mrs. Fair-
c. I may come over again , soon. "
"If you like only it is best to give
j notice beforehand , asl might be in
ndon for the day. But , yes , come
len you like. Any day this week , "
'tening as she sees his face fall.
The colonel's luavy mustache has
stained sundry pulls during this ool-
[ iiy , and his face is a shade graver
in usual as he steps into the vacant
it and possesses himself of both oars-
d with a vigorous stroke the boat is
se more in motion , the -widow's eye
the first time lights upon the maimed
t hand , and she exclaims in dismay :
'When how did this happen ? " '
'In South Africa long ago. Dent
afraid. My sculling may be Bome-
at clumsy , but I will promise to get
a home in due course of time. "
'Oh , I was not thinking of myself.
t does it not hurt yon ? -1 am sorry
id not know before Sir Reginald left
Or btav could I help vou , I won-
? ' '
'With these tiny hands of yours ?
, no , i ttui yetting on perfectly well ;
but give that eteam'launch more spue
or we shall get a tossing after she h
passed. "
A silence follows , during which bo1
are busy with their own reflection
When Mrs. Fairfax lifts hur eyts to h
companion's face it is so grave that si
exclaims in wonder :
"I was going to say , A penny fi
your thoughts , ' but from the expre
sion of your countenance yours mu
be weighty enough to be worth mor
Won't you be generous and impu
them gratis ? "
Ajlong pause , during which she leai
"
over the"side of the boat and idly du !
bles one hand in the water.
"Take care , " he says , warningl ;
"you will lose your rings. "
"I have none on that hand except
and she takes the little white fingei
out of the water and gazes half sad !
on the thick gold band Jack's wei
ding riiie : placed there six years ag <
ana only eighteen months befoi
Jack's own honest heart was still an
cold.
cold.Leslie
Leslie Grahame is looking at it als <
and somehow the sight nerves him t
the next words he has to say.
"It is a long time since we met , is
not ? I was riding with poor Juc
when he bought that ring , and a fe1
days later I had orders for India , an
so I missed the wedding. But I did IK
forget my old friend or his bride-
nor , " he adds more.gently , "did I foi
get you when sadder news reached m
Poor Jack , " he says , dreamily , hi
thoughts busy with the boy friend <
his youth , and in a manner forgettin
that he is speaking to that friend'
widow ; "so young , so open-hearto
and generous. "
"All that and more , " she says quick
ly ; "he was too good for this eold
hard world. Ah me , to-- think tha
Jack , who was BO strong , should hav
been taken and lit tie left me to face lif
alone. "
"You haye your child. " Uncon
eciously his tone has grown ft littl
stern again.
"Darling Queenie ! Yea. But ij 5
lull sometimes , and one wants soui
sne to consult to lea on. "
"And you think you find that Bonn
3iie in Reginald Vane ? "
Ho is sorry the next moment nftor t <
lave blurted out the words , but it is to <
ate to recall them. She flushes :
jlanoo at him , and ho meets it steadily
jxpectiug to be assailed with a torrun
) f feminine wrath , but is taken bad
it meeting instead a sudden burst o
o
ears.
"Mrs. Fairfax what a brute I am
orgive me. I have lived so luuchalom
.hut I have fallen into a dreadfid luioil
if speaking my thoughts aloud. "
"But how came you to have stzcl
houghts ? "
"Could I help it ? Only last night 1
icard your names coupled together by
ho voice of common gossip , and to-dij
lave i not seen some coufirmntiou ol
he report ? And I would not presume
0 find fault , though I was once not
nly Jack's friend , but almost a rough
Ider brother to you in the forgotten
ays of long ago "
"Not forgotten , " murmurs a stilled
oice ; "only I wondered why you never
ame to see inc. "
"It was best not. I Jack loved
ud trusted me his mentor as he used
3 call me , poor boy ! But now now ,
Tina , I cannot but think of the old days
hen I see you about to take an irre-
ievable step with one whom I cannot
link worth } ' "
"You are jealous ! Our grave colo-
el actually condescending to such
reakness ? And pray , may I ask , what
lakes you think Sir Reginald Vane un
orthy I don't say ot little me but
f any good thing that the world can
estow ? "
"His dishonorable conduct towards
aother woman. Forgive me , Nina
eaven knows I would sooner bite my
mgue out than say it but he is play-
is : a double part in this , making up to
iu for fortune , while his hrart what
3 has to give belongs to Aliss Elliot ,
saw him by her side last night. I
atched the looks and signs tha't passed
Jtween them , and I speak solemn
nth when I say that I believe he has
on that poor girl's affections , and that
sober earnest he care's for her. And
> w that I have said my say , and
ought a cloud over the face I hsive
connected with heaven's
ways sun-
line , I will go my way , only asking
at , as time softens your anger , you
ill try to think a Ijtlle kindly of uie.
ere is your landing place. "
And he pulls the boat into the tiny
eek , and resting on his oars waits lor
T to spring ashore and give him his
lal dismissal. But Nina does not
ove. Her head is bent down and so
ershadowed by her that ho cannot
ad the expression of her faintly flush-
face.
It seems an age to him before vhe si- j
ice is broken. At- last "Did you
ways think me a dreadful flirt ? "
He is startled snd taken unawares bv
3 appealing tone. Fain would he
swer a reassuring negative , butmem-
ies of the old days again ri&e before !
1 mind visions of the sweet little
lymate grown suddenly inio anx1
ting , vain piece ol wominhood of
or Jack's alteinate raptures and
spair in the days of his brief , ill-c-m-
_ ered courtship and the truth , the
idingstar of Leslie Grahame's nu-
e , compois him to answer :
'I don't think you could help it
ne women are formed to be the tor-
: nt of every man who conies near
! m it was your nature to be sweet
il lovable. "
'And now I am grown older and
rder and care only for admiration , so
it I could stoop to pick up a heart
it belongs of right to another woman.
, Leslie , you thought this ! " I
"By heaven , ,1 did you inji
cries the oolorel , in a burst of self-re
proach. "I've been insulting yon all
this time and you have bornu it like aa
angel just as youused to be in the old
day when I was a big unmanly boy ,
and tyranizod over you like the ruffian
I was. "
"And I liked you through it all. "
This was spoken 'very softly.
"Nina , Nina , do not drive mo mad.
You can do it you always could I
went away years ago because I knew
you cared for Jock. ' * r
"You did ? "
"Was I not right ? You would never
have chosen me the grave , stem
Scotchman , fifteen years your senior ,
in preference to that bright , sunny-
hearted lad. And now don't think ,
dear , that I have come back to harass
you. I would not have seen you to
day , but that I could not boar to leave
you unwarned of the gossip afloat. But
now that you know , your woman's wit
and your own brave little heart will
prove yonr beat defense. Good-bye ,
Nina. Say once ih it yon forgive mo
as you used to loii r : igo. "
"Leslie ! "
It is well that the drooping branches
of a weeping willow have made a sc-
eluded litllo bo > vor of the landing
place ; well , too , that the garduer ,
coming down to moor the boat , does
not arrive a minute sooner , or his as-
Umished eytw might have seen whut
Qiieenie afterwards mysteriously re
ports : "My mammie crying , and Colonel
nel Grahame comforting her , as mam-
iiiie does when I tumble down , holding
: ier hand on his shoulder and stroking
: ier hair. "
For Leslie Grahame's long-repressed
talc of love lias been spoken at last ,
and the little playfellow of early days
the prize which he gave up in bitter
3elf-denial to liis boy friend has whis-
lered to him the "yes , " which , had
ie bfvjn more far-sighted , might have
> oen spoken long ago and have spared
am years of self-indicted exile.
. .iO *
Susan B. Anthony.
IVuttitiXfrtoii i otu-r to the CliicaRO Journal.
The ever-hopeful Susan B. Anthony
lontinues to . hope. She is here , witi.
ler home at the Riggs house , watching
ivery movement of congress , with an
; ye single to the prize woman suf-
lage. And she believes that she will
jet it perhaps not that she herself will
; et it , but that the agitation which she
ms so long led will sooner or later
> nngr Buffratre to the women of this
sountry. "We are gaining every
ear , ' ' she said , as she sat in
he parlor at the Rigge , and
alked of her hopes and years of work
0 your correspondent ; "we arc gain-
ng strength every year , and we are go
ng to triumph by-and-by. Women
ote in eleven states , on ucrthiu sub-
fi-fcs now , and have the full right of
uffrage in three of the territories. But
hat is not all. We are gaining
trength in congress , where our hope
nrtlfe remedy prompts us to moat
nxiously ook.
Ami after all the ill-natured things
hat have been said about Miss An-
hony , he is not half go unhandsome as
lie remarks themselves. True she is
ot L-ingtry for beauty. She does not ,
vidently , make any pretensions to per-
[ > nal beauty. She is rather tall , rather
ngular , rather unfortunate in having a
ecidcd "cost , " in the right eye , rather
ast the age whea personal beauty is
io-jt likely to be at its highest stage of
evelopmont , rather old-fashioned in
er personal habits. She was very
eatly dressed in a well-fittinsr and
itely cut black satin , trimmed" with
\rc. hice , with the propei' amount of
jiflingand fluting and flummery of this
> rt to proclaim her a woman in spite
1 all the unkind eJforts of unkind
riters to the contrary. The pretty
> ot which peeped from beneath the
ilds of the ? atin dress , as she talked
ithusiatically of her hopes and sadly
: her fears , was not the smallest that
is been seen in Washingtcgj , but it was
i small that many ladies with much
eater pretensions to personal attruc-
nns than Mi = s Anthony could never
ear it.
inta Glaus Visiting the Dug-Onts. >
r. Haptlnsf .foureaL t
Out he line of the St. Paul branch f
: the Union Pacific are several fr.milies |
ring in sod houses to whom Santa J
lius prompted "the boys" who run *
e passenger train to pay their re-
iec"s on Christmiis day. On the down
in at each one of these lowly dwell- \
gs the train was halted and the gfca-
1 br.g-gaire master , laden with pack- " - *
: IH of eonfectionary , toys and nuta ,
irriedly made them a call and ijave v < *
eh child a full supply ; in some In-
mces : i second load hud to be taken i
*
at all n.-ight have a supply. The
irse for all this was made up by Con-
iclor Frank William's crew ami was
pt a ppcret until the distribution be-
.n. Many of the passengers would
rully have contributed to the fund
, d they been allowed ; and so great , *
ui thi-ir satisfaction at the pleasure it
ve the sterling little homesteaders ,
althousrh the train has ample tiino %
r such brief delays , they tronld
iher have missed the connce ion at
and Island than the scenes they wit-
wed. To say that that crew -will
ve warm hearts to greet them in their
ily trips past these dug-outs would
'
p'utting it too mildly.
Hie christening of an infant Arch-
chess of Austria occurred lately ,
e fact came by cable. The name of
; royal infant "will be sent over by
jiniw as soon as the royal secrej
s get it. copied.
\n Indiana family that uses hliick to
. ni'S- ' th'-y are in mourning , nre prob-
iy as sincere mourners as thnn rls
iy wore crape on their hats.
ii.