The Hickman courier., 1868-08-01
Anniversary of the Bridal.

I 90 nef sao, white face against the gl
90 "Ah. me, how happy l was ! But il
90 all over; shall never be happy agai
90 Her dark eyes oyerfowed with be;
W W aud her memory went back to the
~ ~ home u her childhood, the great ran
90 ling country house in Ohio. with
90 spacious rooms, and blazing fires. q
90 iarge-hearted hospitality. She co,
~ ~ see the Old garden, with it's windi
~ o0 borders and cool retreats. and catch ,
90 sweet odor of the pinks, and the drov
90 murmur of the bees aud there was !
90 woodbine- -arbor, beneath which she a
% Harry had sat so often together TT,
~ M well she remembered one evening abo
90 all others-an evening in royal June.
30 the AIR heavy with spicy odors, rnso.
rofszs, weighed down 5i;i .5y y1-Vfheiir own in.
tense perfume. On that evening she had
listened to the story that has been 60 of
ten repeated, but which never grows old
Maud, my darling, i love you-will
you be my wife p She recalled the
very words, she seemed to hear his dear
voice, and see his tendes eyes, The en-.
Igagement ring was still upon her finger
just as he put it there that night, aud be
si1S ~ ahSehShB cNeA 4tloIS SdcTSu, AeI
wedding ring.
( And this stormy, desolate night was
the anniversary. Six years ago, and the
old homestead in Ohio had -rung with
music and revelry Every window blaz
ed with light, and every broad hearth
stone glowed with flaming logs. For on
that night, robed in white, and adorned
with blossoms as spotless and sweet as her
own virgin heart, and beauty and belle
wherever she went, became a bride.
Bidding farewepotherH1 old home, and
the old friendsin 0g Iaud went forth
with her husband, thenceforth and for
ever, to be the light of his home in the
neighborhood of New York.
One year, one short, sweet happy
year, that went by like some rare, rich
melody, without single note Of discord
to break its divine perfection, and then
the trouble came. The bare rememb-
rance of it blanched the wife'e cheeks, and
made her breath come in quick, painful
gasps. At the close of that short, happy
year of her welded life, her husband re-
ceived information concerning the illness
OF an ooiy brother residing in Califor-
MIA He was dying of slow, but sure
disease, and wished to see his brothers
face once more. Harry Merlin did not
hesitate an instant; the path of duty
was plain-he must go. Maud entreated
TO be permitted to accompany him but
he WAS inexorable. The risks and hard
ships was too great.
Left alone, Maud was not the woman
TO give way to dependency il was her
nature always to keep her face to the
sun. She Kept herself busy with the
duties of her household, and at last the
dreary days went by, aud tidings from
Harry came. He was safe at his Jour
sHAssasse ,z.e.l h..t bis h-ather Ees. d-Al,
leaving Harry, however, the inheritor of
a considerable fortune. just as soon as
his business matters could be arranged,
Harry wrote, he would start for home.
Soon after second post came, bringing
intelligence that Harry, in company with
party Of brother-travelers had set out.
taking the overland route.
Maud counted the days with throb
bing impatience, the parting had been so
long she SO pinned to see his dear face,
aud hear his voice once more. She
worked from morn till night, filling the
rooms with little ornaments, and getting |
up little surprises against his return. She !
cultivated the flowers he loved, and sang
the ballads he admired never did wo- |
man count the passing moments with |
such loving expectation. At last the day |
came. She had received no further ia |
teliigence, but she felt sure that he would |
come. The evening was in spring, gen
ial aud balmy, their little home a wild
srness of blossoms. She prepared a
banquet with her own hands; she adorn-
ed rooms with the flowers he loved and
even laid out his dressing gown and slie-
pers Then she went to her chamber,
and put on the dress he liked to see her
wear-a mauve 81 on - dainty laces at
the throat and WY Y hd jet and gold
her hossg, brown hair held
back by sprays of heliotrope and sweet
verbena. Surveying herself in the mir
ror, she smiled and blushed, remember
ing his words when she had first worn
the dress.
Oh, Maud you are so beautiful al
ways wear this dress, darling, when you
wish to please me.
The May sun sank lower and lower.
and at last went down, leaving the earth
Srapt in the dusky mists of twilight-l
Maud began to grow impatient. She lit !
he lamps in the parlor, and then went |
'ut to the porch to wait. He surely 1
yould come he would not disappoint |
,er The golden tints of day faded like
he eolors of a dream the stars came ,
tut one by one in the hazy luster of the
ky; and then the moon rose, coming I
,P srandly aboye the purple stesps- Sill
he had not come, and the poor wife s
leart began to grow sick With hope de- {
erred. Another hour, and then, above |
he murmurous music of the night, she i
leard a sharp step upon the gravel, and (
tarted to her feet, flushed and breath
ess but the next instant she fell back |
,ale With disappointment, for the step |
vas not his-she knew that long before 6
he person came in sight. He advanced
oward the porch where she sat with $
low, uncertain step observing which, |
nd recognizing him as one of her neigh t
,ors, she advanced to meet him. 4
"Mr. Rutherford, is it you? I am {
ooking for my husband. What do you 8
hink can detaiu him?"
The gentleman stood still, his face full '
f silent, unspeakable pity. Something t
n its expression caught her quick eyes, f
nd she sprang ,fly rerd and grasped his
rm. ~ epressiA =
"Mr. RutheriJsd, you bring me ii +
ingsa Speak; don't keep me in sus- a
ensep' as-ets - .s.- Ii
Still the gentleman was silent.
"Oh, sirI' she entreated, "don't trifle
18th my feelings Do you know any
hing concerning my husband? Ifyou l
o, for mercy's sake speak outr' o
Madam, have hesrd-that is, there
J bad news" he began, his voice husky n
nd broken. Il
Her face grew white as death; but her "