The Empire County argus., 1854-05-06

'Dee now sne slts, her fingers moving through
the badys curls and her eyes fixed on vacancy"
This was her wedding night, you know"
81 tell you, William, that Adde loves Reynolds
with all her heart yet as truly as she did on that
evening. She has never mentioned his name, even
to me, since the day her father forbade her to
tion it in his presence; but there something that
is terrible in this statue-like grief Of hers"
A sharp bark under the window arrested the con-
versaton.
''Be quiet, Growler; what are you about sir?'
said William
Dear silent Adelaide now brought round the nuts
and apples, and every one tried to make her smile
as they took share but her smile was faint as
moonlight on an icy lake
Harry and Nelly had called aunt Susie over in
the corner to name their apples and all were silent
for few moments.
The quick bark came again from the dog, follow
cd by low protracted growl. Edward jumped up
to investigate matters but before he reached the
door, it was opened, slowly but firmly, and tall
pale figure stepped in and stood silently
The sudden paralysis of surprise bound every
tongue.
A moment more and with faint cry Adelaide
dropped her little boy from her lap, and sprang
across the room to her husbands arms
As he clasped her, and her head sunk like a bro
ken lily on her shoulder, farmer Talbot started as
if stung by bitter memory. His arm was raised,
and his white locks foated back
"Father p
1t was Susan's voice choked with agony, as she
sprang forward to catch the hand of the old man.
The uplifted hand of the OLD man fell, and all was
hushed for one long moment
"Come you here a reformed man. Caleb Rev
nolds?" Farmer Talbots tone was firm but quiet
Il do, my father, with the help of God,' answer
ed the stranger in solemn tone of voice
Farmer Talbot cast light upon his features
Caleb Reynolds never spoke like that, and the old
man modulated his trembling voice.
"Ilave you signed the temperance pledge!'
'I have and have kept it for more than a year.
"Then, my son, ,"--and the old mans hand was
extended, but his voice choked. He bowed his
head and wept like a child.
But the arms hung loosely around Caleb Rey-
nold's neck. The surprise had been too sudden
and the gentle Addie had tainted. Nor until they
had won back the life-tide to her check and seen
her again in the arms of her husband, turning to
him that look of soufet earnestness that her early
years had worn--not till then did others approach
to welcome with fearful embraces their long lost
brother.
"And this is our boy Addie whom never saw
before?' murmured Caleb, pressing his lips to the
fair round forehead of the sleeper. She answered
only with tears.
No further questions were asked. but Caleb soon
spoke of his wanderngs. Wounded in battle and
brought to the point of death, he had listened to
the angel of reflection But with reflection and
g00d resolutions came also renorse ana despair =
Who should win back to him the forfeited atfec-
tons of his wife? 1t was then that the lesson he
had learned on his mothers knee came beaming
up through the gloom of years squandered in dis
sipation. He went to the fountain of peace and
drank of the diving watersn Having fixed and
finished his term of probation, he sought again his
home.
81 knew" said he, 'you would all be assembled
here tonight, and | fingered outside shivering
with the cold, before could man my heart to come
among you"
Brother! y exclaimed more than one voice.
The clock in the corner struck ne--it was the
hour of prayer Farmer Talbot laid his hand on
the family Bible and wiped his glasses.
Come my children, let give thanks to God !;
for this, my son, dead, and is alive again
was lost and is found y