UNKNOWN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7859, 29 June 1905, Page 4

UNKNOWN

Array "*. towr.slnp the li ttfc. bush' section fay, sleep ib tig! late' sunshine of an autumn aftetnoOn. In the tiny garden red and yellow trees flared against a background of sombfe bush, dead ' leaves driftgji upon the grassy path, a few stray wallflowers bloomed by the wall at the door of the house, lieyond the shelter of the bush, where the evening, breeze wasblowing, this-tle-down llpated straiglii from the sunset, and a golden haze hung over ■ the scattered township, the soft tussock hills, and distant mountains. In the open fireplace of the sittiugroom a newly-lighted fire burned ; the warm fragrance of kindling pine branches and gum leaves was in the little room, and lingered outside on the wreaths of smoke that rose front the cottage chimney. By the hearth a woman sat with brooding eyes, ( and paid no heed to outward things.] So she had sat through the long hours of the afternoon in an attitude of patient resignation ; it was the footsteps of a child that roused her from iter apathy. "Is that ypu, Sonny, dear ? I've been missing you." She held out her warn hands to rcceivc his, and smiled tremulously. "I thought you'd be comiu' soon, so I lit the fire." He flung his arms about her with young carcfSes, whispering, "I love you. Mammy!" Then, with his hands still in hers, slipped to his knees by her side. for a, lew minutes there was silence. Twice the woman sought for speech ; twice speech failed her. From outside came the sigh of wind in the tree-taps, inside the dry twigs crackled, ana the lire shot out long flames. At-last she found her voice, and f JJSjM. quietly, "Have you been in Dannie ? " The child it's sold," he said ; " I ■|HMr Ritchie, an' he said so. He me to tell you that it was a gcU good price—more than he expected." tjt, She answered wearily. ."J 1 ? is it Sonny?" Her hand tightened on his. " I hope so—to pay up the folks we're owing—but I hoped most it wouldn't sell. I expect Mr Ritchie 'II come out to see me bv-and-bye." "Mr Ross is comin'." The boy's voice was eager. " I saw him, too, he said to tell you." T He's a good old man, Mr Ross, it s kind of him to come, but I only want yon just now, Dannie." The leaping flames grow misty bef "V*; she P ut U P a furtive hand to wipe the tears away The minister was goodness itself, but no one could bring her comfort to-night, pie day she had reared had come at last. Her little home had passed to other l&nds; she had only Dannie - ~o ut® "'c the sun had drooped low the shadows would be falling soon' bhe put another question to the boy Sonny " k "° W who ' s bou sht it', . " Not. old Carson ! " The bov's T°i, Ce h j., trium P h - "He was biddin' I heard him, but he didn't get it Mr ' Mr R'tchie said it was HnnH e L f man 'u a dark feller. I 4rc i j " ow who he an'—l don't "Mr Ritchie 'll tell us all about it, the mother said. "It doesn't t°h lt ' S S ?. lo "e as old Carson s not the man. • T' ,e P- 0 ? lcne 't upright suddenlv • indignation shone in his eyes and sounded in his voice When r in » man I'll i PU ' „ his hands upon her lan eagerly. She U id hcr own upon them and answered with distressHush, Dannie, hush ! You mast not talk about kiUin'. Vou n ,us n' talk about fightin'. You've to be teSjui, bit beyond Ur the attics® again-with hesitation P0 6 . "wvMWltv' U ' S old Car Sonny, of course it i<« n 0 s little house, see e ™ 1 . fl's Ross says she'll .i antl cleanin', and V? ? the san > c - So we the rent and get along all rork for you, Mammy ! I'll His eager arms were round , his checks pressed to hers. „ n ? .horses, or work in «"> do a lot of things. I k for you, Mammy ! " r c i„ hcr arm ? about him- ; Sonny ; not yet. You've :o to school still, and learn a awgs, so as you can earn a uc some day. When you're v will be different. I'll work . just now-a little bit longer." - v | Silence reigned for a while. The X sun had sunk behind the hills sha+h„WrmePt about the bush and into the little room; the burning wood fell with a shower of sparks, ana the flames sank lower. At length the 7 boy spoke again. "If Bobby was here he'd work for * us both. Mammy. He'd look after us both and be good to us. And he'd fight old Carson !" The mother sighed and shook her head. "Bobby wasn't always good to me, Danny. He loved a lot of things better than bis mother. You're my lad, dear ; you'll be my man by-and-bye." " But Bobby would be good to you now," he boy persisted. "He's a man now." She let his words go past and mado no answer. Bobby had been a man before the boy was born. Presently the child's voice broke upon the stillness again with confidence in its tone. "If daddy was alive he'd be the one ! You wouldn't have to work if BB was alive. He'd be the one to take care of you ! " She saw his eager face by the sinking fire ; took it close to her and kissed the lips that had spoken, but