The Light On The Prairie

i uau oeen iravenng au uay miougii me sparsely-settled portion of Kmth-westero LouUiana, a country where great prairie and sea marshes altérnate, with strips, or ridges, of woodland. A desolate región enough, and principally (ettled by cattle herders (vacbers) who speak very little English. Towards evening, I found myself in an immense prairie witb no road ihroughit, so far as I could see. Nothing but little cowpaths, whicb crosscd and recrossed eacb otlier; a net-work which was bcwildering to a stranger who liud only a vague idea of the direction he was to take. Far in the distance I could see a nioving figure, which I supposed must be a horseman. 1 spurred up ïny tired horse, and, as the man was riding leisurely, I soon overtook him. He was a grave, elderly man wilh a pleasaiit face. "Good-evenins:, sir," I said, in Frencli. He replied courtcously, in Mie same language, but added in English, with a keen look at me: "I am an American, sir, and I think you are. U's a treat to meet an}' one who speaks English here in this creóle settlement.'' '"You don't seem to have any roails n this country," I said. "I want to get to Belle Grove to-nlght, and I only know the direction to take; at least, that it lk-s due west from the town I left at noon. Do you know where it b?" 'Yon mean Colonel Cummings' place, don'tyou? Well, yes, I ought to know it, as my mili isn't íialf a mile from Belle Grove. I'm going there, and am very glad to liave a traveling companion. It's at least ten miles from here, and we're going to have a stormy night," pointing -with his whip to masses of black clouds that were fast covering the hcavens. "ís there no place near wbere we crti flnü shelter:"' I askcJ, feeling rather uneasy at the ominous hush in the air, and th gathering blackness. "No, there is not a shelter within six or seven miles. You see, the people dou't buiM n the prairies on account of the diflicnlty of hauling timber and 'wood. They huddle together at the edge of the woodlands, and when we get there we're almost at Belle Grove. If my hoise wasn't so dead beat, we migbt move on taster ; hut yoiirs," with a critical look at my tlred animal, "doesn't seem to be in better case. Well, we shall have to take it easy." "I suppose you couldn't be lost on Chia prairie, I asked. He laughed, I thought, uncasily. "Well, yes; in the day-time I know every step of the way, but whether 111 go straight through in a storm and darkness, I can't ay till I've tried. If we have much lightning, it will help me, but you must renirmber there's not even a tree, or a hill, for a landmark. Don't look uneasy. I kuow enough to keep out of the great sea mnrsh, which extends twenty or thirty miles to the Guit, and I can avokl the boggy 'coulees.' The worst that can huppen to us will be to pass the night in the open prairie. Ñot very pleasant on such a nigiit as thls will be." "Well. if I lived in such a country," I answered, dismayed at this prospect, "I'd take great care that night should never catcb me on this pathless desert." "Neither would I if I could help it, though who could have dreamed we should have rain to-night? Even in a clear starHgbt the way ia easy to find. My youngest t-liili i was taken very ill to-day, and I've been to the nearest town to get medicine for her. No storm would have kept me froni getting back to her to-nlght if poidble. Uut here comes the rain. If you have a waterproof, get iton. The storm burst and night was soon closcd upon us. It was no gradual sprlnkle, increasing in violence; uut the water feil in sheets. The wind almottt swept us from our horses, and a continuous glure of lightning, followed by deafeuing tliunder claps, lit up the dreury scène with a livid light. TUe exchange of a single word was impossible, and equally irnpossible it was to brave this elemental warfare. Westopped our horses and waited until the first violeiicu of the storm was over. In about an hour the wind feil, the lightning ftashed at long intervals, but the rain still poured. "We'd better go on,1' said my companion. 'Tin wet and chilled through, and we must feel our way. l'll go ahead and you follow me." Soon the lightning ceased altogcther, and Mr. Bruce, as ue callcd hlmself, would halt every minute to retrace his steps froni the edge of sorae dangerous coulee. It was literally feding his way, for he often dis mounted to examine better the edges of the little water-courses which intersected tlie prairie. It is impossiblc to say how long we wandcred about atasnail's pace, for the rain still poured and the darkness was intense. Suddenly hc called out: "Look to the right. Do you see a light?" At a great distnnce a tiny star of light was visible - a mere luminous point. "It's au ignus fatuu, a will-of-lhe-whisp, Un'tit?" Isaid. "No, it's too stationary. I declare I believe we're actually turned round and thut'.s the Widow Mansell's lamp. Five miles out of our way, and the ifreat salt marsh not half a mile oft. Il we liad got in it, we never could have got out living. Well, wel], h) tliink tliat we were -ilmost In the lion's jaws in apite of my bonst. We must raake tor tliat flght. We sliall soon strike a hifili ridgë now, for that Iscertaloly the widew's house." A little more floundering in the mud and water nd ilun the rldgt was gainud. The rain moderated and oue. or two watury Man peeped out, k that the darkness was not SO Intense. The light grew b richter, and ai last re pulled up at the gate of a large, comfortable-looklng farm house. "You'll find Mrs. Mansell a queer woinan " Bald my companion, as me unsaddled the horsea and turned 'them loose in the yard. 'Til teil you almut her when we get onder sh-Jt-i-." He knoeked at the door. whlch wasopell'd byan eMerly woman, evidently a servant, who talled Mr, Bruce by name and ushered us lnto a large front room. Standing in the niiddle ot' the floor and bonding forward In an attitude of expectatlon, wasa woman wlth uiow-whlte haii. Slie leaned on ¦ stick, for she seemed veiy inlirm, and her eyea lixeil eagerly ou the door wnich opened to admit ns. "Oh, it isn't Paul," she sald, in tones of dUappointment. "What cm keep my boy? Mr. Bruce, dld yon see my Paul? Does the lamp throw out uiucb light?" "Oh, yes, llrs. Mansèll," he answered; "yon can see it nearly live miles away ou the niljíe." "1 put two in the window, it was such a .t lark niiiht," she went on. "My boy must have plenty of Ught ymi know, or he naight ger in the salt marsh. What can keep my Paul f I want him so much," turning upon us her plteoug eyes. "Oh, you'll see him soon, nia'am,1' Mr. Bmcb sald, cheerlly. "Do&'J worry about him, for t wili come all rlght" "Oh, yes, he cau't strav. can he, with tliat light? She tottered in the window and trttnmed ona oi the lampa, and then sat down in an easy chálr near it and took no more notiee of u--. Every nou and then she whispered, "Is I'aul eoniinii'r" and at every sound wonld b-mi forward in an attitude of eipectancj-. "Is she worse than usual to-n)ght?" Mr. Bruce said in a luw voiee to tlie servant, who had entered agaln. "She's always worse stormy nhrhts. She wout go to bed to-niffht b'ut will sit un liific uiitil inonuiig. I've kindled a tire in one of the bed-rooms, Jlr. Uruce, and you and the gentleman had better go there and dry your clothes. She won't Bjpeak to you again to-night. poorsoul." VU had diïedourdrippinggarmentsand were enjoying a pleaaant talk, before Mr. Bruce Batfefled my curiosity about our singular bosteu. "She liad an only son, Paul," he said, "and botl) inother andson had Violent tempere, and did not (ry to control tlu-in. She adorad Paul, lmt the did not allow hlm to cross her, and hc was fully as elf-willed as she. he sent liini away to school. He retnrni'd a haudsome, ImpertoüS youth of nineteen, who refusecj to content himgelf wilh the narrow Hfé In the okl home, and ínslsted upon g widef fleld of ambition in Bome otlier country. "She ref uaed ositively. She was wcll oll, and all b had in l.ïie wuiKl was his, luit he must leniaiü Ihcicaml shan.' itwith her. "Asanold family t'riend, I was ofte n callcd in to their discuesions. " 'I can't lircathe here.' l'anl said. 'It's not lile, its mere stagnation. Il you wanted me to be satlsfied In such aplace, among such people, why did you aend me away and edúcate me t Wüy give me a taíte óf another lite, and Uien wall me np in this living tomb i l've 110 taste forcow-herdlng and hos-bunting, andtbai's what you want me to lo!" " 'You've no taste for anythlng but your own selflsh wlUl' she answered. 'Nota dollar of mine gocs nto this crazeof yours. The life that's good enough for me is good enougb fbr you; and if i't don't suit- well, youcaufro; but without a cent, and you will DeTer return again, [ can teil vou I l"m no silly mother to make ducks and drakes of my moncy to gratify the whimsof a silly boy "He flung out of the room in a fury, and I did my best to persuade the mother to consent to his leaving her, and making a trial of the life he ionged for. lie would probably fail- 1 think he wanted to be an artist - and toen be would be content with his uleasaot boine. 'l'he nest of tlic old blrdt, 1 told lier, did not restrain the young ones who uanted totry their wines. "Ispoke to dcaf ears. She only said: 'Ile's.my only son, and while 1 live. he sliall never leave me witli my uuuaelit. "When 1 left the house, Paul joined me on honebaok. 1 was interested in the lad, and 1 saw that mother and sou were making themselvee wretched by their ow n willfulness. 1 coungeled submisston, and told Faul tbst big motüer niiilit yield intime to li is wishes. " 'Never!' he cried. 'lf I ean't be happy lier ;i v, she prefen inaking me miserable." Vuu say sliu loves me. Perhaps she does, but it's a Btranqe kind of love, isn't it " " 'Never mind, headded, laughing, Tve tbouglit of i way. A greater evil drives out a less, don't it? Kow what will you bet tbat before two inonths you'll hear mother begging an.1 plcading with me togo away f' "And then he laughed loud and long, but refused to say more. "In a very leu weeks I lieard, Mis. Mansell wiis wild abotti lier son"8 ttentlcma to the blacksmitli's daughter, Lottie Grey, a bold, pert girlwho was the talie of the neighborhood. As usual, olie sent forme lo hear her troublcs. " 'I cant understaml it,' she said. 'Paul hates vulgarity. and she is ooane and vulgar. Wby, the creature can neither read nor writu! It'sa most disgraoeful llirtation - for, of cours1, its only u flirtation - and I wteli, Mr. Bruce, you'd glve 1iliu a good talk aboutit.' " 'it woú ld bé beiter to lei Mm leave berc, Mrs. MwuelL' I said. 'You ui?.t opon keeping htm among these poople, nul young men who are Idle will nmuac themelve8 with whalcvrr mav happen to come in thelr way. Th&t'a al thê Ixittimi ofMialf ll-asKortcd rnarriage.' ¦ 'Ton don'l think mij Paul would niarry Lottie Greyï' she crled, angrily. Tin ashaincd ut vou, Mr. Bruce! Ho, even the Blrtation U dlagraoeful enougb. Aa for ;i,n; away. Paul is jroinj; to stay right here and I'll luaku hiin behave hiniseli, too! Speak to him, v.ill you, about liLs conduct.' "I'ni a very awkward person fortlic.-c delicate BegotkUoM, but Paul sa ved me the trouble. " 'Oh, I know what you want to say; mother! been talkin g to yon about Lottie Q-rey,' and then he laughea. 'Icareumacb for Lottie Grey as i do forthia weed'- fllckIng off tibe erw of ooe with his whip - Tm not there half bo often as she thinka I am, and Lottie's only tbfe meane to an end. You know inv secret now. Rather than have Lottie Grey for a daughter-ln-law, ihe'd blp me to China and never lay eyes on me agalu.' " 'Bat the don't think you want tomnrry her.'l said. 'Slie believesyou are only flirting.' " 'She doe--' he cxcinimed. 'Well, I'll push matten this very eveniug. Shell yield, iest assured.' "I ï-einonstrated seriouslv with him. The lboli.sh boy was doiiyj wrong in two ways in nothavingsiillicieiit rogara for his metner, and in dallyiog with a yoju'g 9& ''or whoni he liiul'ii" i(Veetiiii, and was only using as a means to an end. I knew his mother well enough to be assured (( it hepersUted in bis pretest course, she would cast, bitn off, and then break her heart Bhe eould never be torced into yielding anytblng. 'Trom the excellent womau you saw tonight- a friend inore than a servant- I heard what happened that night. "It wai rainiiif; very hard, one of those equlnfctial stonns whícli are very severeon the Gulf coast, but Paul ]uton his overcoal Ud walked towards tlie door. " 'Where on earth are you going?' his motheruked. ']fs dusk, aiid it's no weath er for any one to bc out In,' "He Laugbed provokingly. 'Wliy, mother, you don't tliink a little rain will keep tue trom wliere I spend iny evenings. I'm goiug to settle matter tliia erenlng, and when I come back ril teil you wheu yon'll liave a nice, livcly daugliter-in-law to'stlr up our sluggish household. Have the lamp burning hrightly in the window, for it's going to be a black night outside.' "He walked oll WbbtliOK and Suab tttd Mrs. Mansell's face scared lier, it was so white and set. She sat for a long time as f she was petrified, and then eoininenced pacing the floor, inuttering to herself. Never! never! uever!' "She nevcr was one to talk of her troubles to servants, so Sarah was not surprised at hersilenee. When hed-time carne, as was alwayi the custoni when Paul was absent Sarah trinimed the lamp, stretched opfn the shutters of the west window, and put the Hght nearthe cloeed sash. Mrs. Mansell stopped pacing to and fro, and said, Sternly: ' " 'Take that light from there and close the shutters." " 'But Mr. Paul won't be able to ünd his way, ma'am, and It's an awful night, raining and blowing.' "For an answer, Mrs. Mansell took the lamp trom the window with herown hands, and barred the shutters. " 'Let it be dark to him !' she cried, passionately. 'For the first time in his life, let him see his home-light quenched. Ever since he was a little boy, whenever he was belated, the lilit was constant and steady to guide him. Now let the disobedient son take it as a sign that his motlier's heart is closed to him.' "Siiiah said she looked so awful, she was afraid to open her Ups, and when Mrs. Mansell ordered her to bed she was glad to ííi. Hut all night long, the pacing to and fro went on. Hreakfasttime carne, but no sirn of Paul. " "He stayed all uight at Grey's, Mrs. Mansell said ; but an anxious look had come iuto her eyes. At noon still no news. The mother ordered one of the colered men to ride to (Jrey's and teil Mr. Paul she rished to see him. "The man galloped back in about an hour. " 'Is Mr. Paul coming? called out Mis. Mansell. " 'Lordy, ma'am,' he answered, 'Mass Grey he say Mass Paul started fur home 'fore teno'clock last night. Mass Grey axed him to stay, it was sich a bad night, but Paul 'lowed he couldn't miss de way caze you allnys kept a light in de winder fur .him. He 'lowed you'd be seared to def ef he didn't git Jback, and Mass Gray he gay, sartain sure, Paul got in de Balt mash, and he's drownded.' "Mrs. Mansell sank io tlie floor without a slgh or a groan, and when she recovered consclousness her mind had lost its balance. ''From the moment she hcard he had starled lor home, she knew perfectly what hu late had been. His remains were not ivr.,cn-d until the next summer- a very dry oue - when he and hishorse were fomul in a 'coulee.' which had literally swallowed them up. .mis. jiuiisi'ii s uisoruer ís a quiei inania. She seeras to have forgotten all tliat passed betvveen her and her son oti that terrible evening; in fact, I think she supposes hlm a boy, and looks for bis return every evening tlie business of her life seems to be to keep the lamp la the window triinmed and burnin;. and bertreinblingsolicitudeabout it seems the ouly lialf-conscious link tocounect her wlfh tlie past.'f "ís there no cure?" I asked. "Has she ever been put in an asylum ?'' "Yes. her relatives tried that, but itmade her wone. She is quiet and docile when she is allowed to teud her lamp, and you saa'l tear her away iroui this place. I dón't think sanity would be n blessing to herunder the circumstances. She is quiet and calm during the day, but as night comes on she gets restless, though whea her lamp is rciidy she will sleep part of the night." I looked at the unfortunate woman the next morning with deep sympathy. Her loor f rail life was evidently near its close, lor a more worn face I never mr; and those piteous.iniiiloring eyes wcrcdiui withdeath sbndows. "If you meet my Paul, Mr. Bruce,1' slie saict, ''teil him not to be late to-night. My head aches so,!' pattinj; her hand to ïi.-rforchearl. "hcu lic doesn't come early. I'mso silly," with a quaveriiijj little laugh, "that I fancy all sorts of things about his losing ] i is way. He couldn't do that, could he, with that lamp in the window! íío, indeed. He'll see it, and he'U know home and mothei' are waiting for him. But waiting, waiting is hard on me." We looked at her and I feit the toars moisten my eyes as we rode away. Her weary waiüng would soon be over, and the bitter tragedy wrought by unbridled passious ended.