Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-05
That it should be darkened forever,
the sweet face and that he should
do it-he, sitting here, with his ticket
bound for Colorado

iAo "ouIu HdVC huOCheu Guo udl
down who had told him twenty years
ago that he ever should forget; that
he should be here tonight, with his
ticket bought, bound for Colorado.
But it was better for her to be free
from him. He and his cursed i'll luck
we're drag on her and the children,
and would always be. What was
that she had said once? - "Never
mind, Jack. I can bear anything as
long as have you"
And here he was with his ticket
bought, bound for Colorado.
He wondoIou II IL were ever TOO
late IN the day for a fellow to make a
man Of himself.
"And she's a. the world to me,
| And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me down and dee"
sang the little fiddle, triumphantly.
Harmon shook himself, and stood
up. The train was Slackening: the
lights of way-station bright ahead.
1t was about time for supper and his
mother, SO Tommy put down his id-
die and handed around his faded cap.
The merchant threw him a penny,
and returned to his tax-list. The old
lady was fast asleep, with her mouth
open.
"Come here" growled Harmon,
with his eyes very bright. Tommy
shrank back, almost afraid of him.
Come here" sottening; II won't
hurt you. tell you, boy, you don't
know what you've done tonight"
"Done, sir ?" Tommy couldn'
help laughing, though there was a
twinge Of pain at his stout little heart
as he fingered the solitary penny in
his faded cap. Done? Well | guess
I've walked you up, sir, which. was
about what | meant to do"
Eyes, that it is, said Harmon, very
distinctly, pushing up his hat; "you've
walked me up. Here, hold your cap
They have pulled into the station
now, and stopped. He emptied bis
purse into the little cap, shook it clear
of paper and copper alike, was out o
the car and off the train before Tom
J my could have said Jack Robinson.
, "My eyes ?" gasped Tommy, "tha
cap had a ticket for New York. sure
, MethuseIah! Look a here One
| two, thrce-must have been crazy
that's it, crazy"
He'll never find out" muttereC
Harmon, turning away from the sta
the night for the red flats and house
t Hell never find out what he has done
: nor, please God, shall She"
2 1t was late when he came in sigh
: Of the house; it had been long tram
t across the tracks, and hard; bein,
2 stung by bitter wind from the eas
e all the way, tired with the monotonou
q treading of the sleepers, and wit
e crouching in periIous inches to let tn
S trains 90 by.
5 She stood watching at the window
y as he had known that she woul
d stand-her hands raised to her fac
n her finger cut out against the war;
:. light Of the room.
;, He stood still a moment and locke
2 at her, hidden in the shadow of th
a street, thinking his own thoughts
e The publican, in the old story, hardl
n entered the beautiful temple wit
', more humble step than he his hon
e that night.
1t She sprang to meet him, paler wit
her watching and fear, aud he felt he
D. arms about his neck.
/ "Worried Annie, were you?
Il haven't been drinking don't be frigh
d ened-no, not the theatre, either, th
lie time. Some business, dear-busine
h. that delayed me. I'm sorry you wei
worried, | an, Annie. I've had
long walk. 1t is pleasant here.
believe I'm tired, Annie"
If He taltered, and turned away
face,
is "Dear me" said Annie; "why, "
?" poor fellow, you are all tired out
s. Sit right up here by the fire, and
will bring the tea. I've tried so ha
ut not to let it boil away, you dol
as know. Jack ; and [ was so afraid som
i'd thing had happened to you"
lis Her face, her voice, her touch, seel
lg ed more than he could bear for
Sc minute perhaps. He gulped dov
his tea, choking.
be "Annie, look here! p he put doy
ng his cup, trying to smile and make
ct, jest OF the words. Suppose a f
. low had it in him to be a rascal, a
nobody ever knew it, eh ?"
81 should rather not know il. il
were his wife," said Annie, simply.
he Jack coughed, took up his tea-cr
N. set it down hard, strobe once or twi
he across the room, kissed the baby
ad the crib, kissed his wife, and sat do,
ng again, winking at the fire.
IN 81 wonder if He had anything to
I'd, with sending him." he said, present
N under his breath.
Sending whom?'' asked puzzl
Annie.
Business, dear; just business.
e's was thinking of a boy who did a
IN. tie job for me tonight, that's all"
hn And that is all she knows TO tt
day about the man sitting in the c.
he ner, with his hat over his eyes, bou
cd for Colorado.
in.
ent A young couple were married
act Lexington, KY, the other day, a
for started on their wedding tour. I