North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-11-16

night hihe0us at the foot OF Cortland street
Do you suppose that | am going to spoil my
precious surprise with a carriage 2" a'i
Broadway by gaslight How strange yet
how familiar, it seems to- the returning exile,
with its stately facade Of frsestone and MARI
| bic, seeming literally to rest on foundations
of living fire, and its throngs OF people, COM
ing and going in everlasting succession, like
| the tides of a never resting Sea. Carl Sill
ver's heart eaped up in his breast with a
| quick joyous throb at the old accustomed
sight and sounds. 1t was good to hear his
footsteps ringing on Manhattaness ground.
No light in The house! His heart stood
still moment. This was strange-ominous
But then he RENE mbefed hat his mother
was fond of sitting in the twilight, and dis
missed the lingering dcubes from his mind.
How LUCKY the door vas on the latch, and
swung noisclessly open.
Hush not creaking chair or clankiDs
spur must betray him; through the old fa-
miliar hall he passed and into his mothers
room lighted only by the ruddy gllmmer OF
bright coal fire.
"Where the mischief are they all ?" ejac-
ulated Captain Silver under his breath, 'No
mattcr-,hey1l be along soon; meantime
III heel up this big chair and take bask,
for.the air is chilly, r IT is the first week in
May. Won't they be astoniShed, though
when they come ? Upon my word, things
couldn't have happened nicer ! Faugh what
a smell Of paint, -6hitewash, too, as I'm
living sinner! Confound tive kicked
over pail of stuff II the women folks aren't
cleaning house !"
The Captain gave an indignant sniff as he
surveyed the desolate scene.
"What comfort female can find in turn
ing things upside down, and deluging the
house with soap and water twice year,
can't imagine. Carpets all up-foor damp
curtains torn dowD-not one familiar object
to greet fellows eyes after twelve mont h
ahsencs from home, Heisho! | think III
light cigar"
Which he did, and began to smoke and
mediate.
There was airustle and tripping football on
the stairs, The Captain took out his cigar
and listened. .. ..
That's Mrnny," said h- TO himself
Mother doesn't dance up stairs like that"
He rose and leaned against the door casing
a> tn. d lc,ny iret cane nearer aud nearer
How his heart beat as the freight show
on the crimson merino dress aud the little,
white apron en- the threshhoId! And the
next moment he had caught the slight form
m his arms, and was showcring kisses on
check, and brew and lips.
" Caught for once, Miss Minny ~ he ex
claimed That's to pay you for presuEnins to
Clean house without my permission No
you're not going to escape"
Srch piercing scream as she rewarded his
frat crnal demo rstrations with Carl Silver
let go her ast and !etreaIed against the
wall with faint idea Of breaking through
the Iath and plaster, and hiding himself in
the general ruin. For as truly as he stood
there, quakng in his reginentaIs, the voice
was net that Of his sister Minny, but-Kate
Marian ... g..
"How dare you!' she calculated, with
crimson cheek nd quivering lips. I'll ring
the bell and call the servants if you don't
leave the house this minute"
"Upon my word Pm neither burgler or
an assassin. pleaded Carl, recovering his self
! possession, in a measure, as he saw Kate's
| breathess terror. % Don't you know me,
Miss Marian Captain Silverr ~
"You are an imposter, said Kate with
spirit Captain Silver is in the army of the
! P tomac!"
"No, he's not he's here" urged Carl
How shall prove that Pm myself? Kate
Miss Marian ...
For she had sunk in the chair and began to
cry. lie knet beside her with rough at
tempt at comfort
"No, she sobbed, only--only was so
frightened.
The little, trembling, blueseyed thing -
Carl SilAer had never seen her in tears before.
No silly assumption Of dignity now-no roy
al airs, ,only brown dsheveled hair and cheeks
like red clover blossoms in a shower. He
was the strong one noy-how natural it
seemed to clasp the tiny palms in his strong
hand. ........ ..r.a.z ...I EEae
Kate, dearest, love you! with my Who'll
he art. Nay, do not be so frightened;
would die to save yon one moments terror
/ Only tell me that your heart is mine"
And when the tears were dried, leaving
the eyes like drenched vioIets and the cheek,
flushed brightly, Carl Silver had license to
keep one little fldttering hand In his, and be
knew that he was an accepted lov9r.
But where is my mother and sister q