The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1868-07-04

unepeakable pity. Something 10 Its exPsee
sion caught ber quick eyes, and she spraoI
forward and grasped bis arm.
"Mr. Rutherford. you bring me tidiogl
Speak, don't keep me 10 suspense
Still The man was silent.
"Oh, sir !" she entreated "dont triff
with my feelings. Do you know anything
concerning my husband If you do, 70
mercys sake, speak QUIT" II
-,." Madam, have heard-that is-thers i
bad news" be began, bis voice husk aut
broken.
Her face grew as white as death but be
eyes were clear and calm, and her hane
strong as she grasped bis arm.
"Sir you pity me, tell me the worst al
once, can bear it,"
well, madam, your husband and hi,
party hnve been waylaid and murdered by
The Indians"
"AIli" Did none escaped"
Mot one !"
She turned sharply, leaving him without
close the door after her-and that WAS the
end. lie would never come back any more,
no matter how patiently she might wait and
watch. He would never know that be had
q son, never look upon the little chubby face,
with it's bold. blue eyes and sunny curls, 90
like bis owo. From henceforth her heart aud
home were desolste.
And this was The anniversary Of her wed.
ding day. Six years ago. and she was hap.
py bride. Five years she had been u hear,
broksn widow. Her boy slept in his little
bed, and sbe sat there, thinking. and think.
ing, and gazing out at the low. leaden sky,
aud the wind tossed trees. The night was
closing 10 rapldly-s night Of storm and
darkness. The rain came down in great
smoking sheets, and the wild, wailing winds
rushed around the gables, aud went shrek
ing over the hills like human sous in agony .
der heart acbed with desolatiou that seem.
ed almost unsuppor,abIe. Life WAS so hard.
~. tor the boys Mke, sbe must endure and
live on.
She looked down at her sable garments
With hot, binding tears. Six years ago, and
she was robed in gems and blossoms. His
face, bis very voice, seemed to come back to
her; and she fancied that his spirit must be
near her. No matter how high above her,
how happy, sbe knew that hs loved her still
and bis gIorfisd spirit may have left it's home
Of bliss to keep with her that sacred annlver.
ssry-tbe fancy consoled her beyond expires,
sion. She glanced over at the sleeping boy
With dim hope that bis father loved and
watched over him. Then q sudden impulse
shot across her mind she would not keep
the anniversary Of her wedding day in her
garments Of wldowhood, she would put on
the robe he loved. II he knew sught of her
poor sad life, be would see how sacred " she
remembered and observed bis simplest wishes.
Stealing up TO her chamber, she took out
the Mauve silk. aud dainty Iaces. growing
yellow and time worn, and the pretty jet and
gold ornaments, and arrsyed herself 40 in
days gone by; and lhe old bloom came back
to her cheeks, ard the brightness to her eyes
and she seemed TO drop her years and her
" dowbood, aid to sp'ing out aftesh into the
rare beauty Of her early maidenhood. Thus
arrsyed, she went down softly and seated
herself before the blazing fire, her face fearful
and expectant. If bis soul were near. and
she cIung to the hope that il was rs she clung
10 life. hs should see how tenderly she re-.
membered HIM.
The anniversary night wore on, Wild and
dark with storm, and still the poor wife, half
dazed by ber terrible sorrow, sat by her
lonely bearth.stone, robed in her festive gar.
ments. AT last there came q step without,
sharp, impatient step on the gravel. but she
did not hear it. A weary travel.worn man,
bronzed by exposure, and pale with long -sn.
dured grief, cams up to the front entrance,
and paused beneath The low window
Through the parted curtains shone the rud.
dy freight, revealing the warm, attractive
room {: the old familiar room, with bis hat
upon the wall, aud bis books and ,neerschaum
on the mantle, unwoved as he bad left them
revealed the kitten purring Oh the rug, and
the little curtained-bed in the distance, and
the dear. sweet face, wet with tears. and the
dress be loved 10 happy days, that seemed
too far back TO the poor wanderer to be real.
Was it all a dream? Was that the wife
from whom be had so long been parted
whose face had been present with him
through all bis lonely hours Of peril aud inn
prisouments Was she waiting and watch
ing and keeping bic home bright for bis re
turn
He left the window, stole softly to the
porch, and approached the side.door. lie
raised the latch i. opened, and he stood up.
90 the threshold.
Intent upon ber own musings, her own
sweet memories, and sad reflections. Maud
heard no sound. Her heart was far back
With the husband she had loved so we'll
lhe old dress had revived old associations
and bis very presence seemed around and
about her. She looked up with caspsd
hands and streaming eyes.
"Ob, Harry Oh, my husband !" sb.
murmured, "f you know how love you
bow mourn your loss. surely your SOU
might speak to mine. and tell me tba. you
are near me-"
"Maud, my wife, my darling!"
She started to Der feet With wondering
startled face. There be stood wan and
weary, changed from the man be had been
but the wife recognized him 10 an instant