Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-07-17
HOW HARRY CAME Hume.
BIZ EMMA GARRISON JONES.

SIX wears to-day what long, long
time,' sighed Maud Merlin, sinking into
the low seat by the window, and press
ing her sad. white face against tie glass
.Ah me how happy was. but it is all
over. shall never be happy again."
Her dark eyes overfowed with tears.
and her memory went back to the old
home of her childhood. the great. ramh
ling couniryhouse. with its spacious
rooms and blazing fires. ard large hear
ted hospitality. She could see the old
garden, with It's winding boriers, and
cold retreats and catch the sweet oders
of the pinks, AMI the drowsy mnrmer OF
the bees: and there WAS the wo"dhine
arbor, I en.,.lh winch she and Harry hal
So often sat together. How well she re-
membered one evening above all others.
an evening of royal June: the arr heavy
with spicy odsrs. ami - full M on p ur
ing down its glorriying light upon the
snowy pillows of orchard bloom. aud the
long hedges of crimson roses, weighed
down by their own intense perfume. On
that evening she had listened To the stn
~ that had been So often repeated, but
which never grows old, 'Maud. my
darling, | love ycU-wili you he my
wife q She called the very words sh.-
seemed to hear his dear vo,ce; and see
hi- tender eyes. The iielhr"thal ring
was still upon her finger. just as he pni
IL there that night, and beside it another,
even yet moro sacred, h.r wedding ring
And this stormy, des"ate night was
the anniversary. Six years ago. and
the old homestead had ruog with mus 9
and rev.lry. Every window blazed
with light. and every broad hearth Stone
giowed with flaming logs. For on th't
night, robbed in white. anil adorned with
blossoms rs spo,less and sw ct rs her
own vergin heart, Maui, sole daughter
of house snd heart, and beauty and
belle vharever she went. becomea bride
Bidding farewell to the I'D hume AMI
the old friends, Maud went forth with
her husband, from kenceiorth and for
ever, to be the light of his home, and
the inspiration OF his life.
One wear, one year short, sweet. hap
py year. that went by like some rare,
rich melody, without n single note of dis
cord TO break its divine perfection, and
then the trouble came. The bare re-
memhrance of il banched the wife's
cheeks, and made her breath come in
quick. painfui gaps. AT the close of
that short. happy year of her welded
life. her husband received information
concerning the illness of an only brother.
res ding in California. He was dying
of slow, alt sure disease, and wished
IL see his hrniher's face once more. Har
nv NJ ,rlin did not hesitate al instant. the
path of duty was pIaln-he must 60 -
Maud rntreated to be permitted TO &C
Company him but he was memorable -
The risks and hardships were too great.
Left alone, Maud was not the woman
to give way to dependency, it 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 of II
~ came. He was safe 1T his journeys
end. but his brother WAS dead, leaving
Harry how ever, the inheritor of con
siderable fortune. just As soon rs his
business matters could be arranged,
Harry wrote he would start for
home. Soon after n second mail came
bringing intelligence that Harry. in CON-
pany with quite a party of brother tray
GERS had set out taking the overland
route.
Maud counted the DAYS with throb-
hing Imps,ience. the parting had been
long she so pined to see his dear face
and hear his voice once more. She
worked from Morn till night. filing the
rooms with little ornaments, and getting
up little surprises for his return. She
cultivated tn" fi'wers he loved, end sang
the ballads lie admired; never d W..
men Count the passing mnmen's with
such loving expectation. AT last the dav
cane. She had received n" further in
telligen; e. but she felt sure that h. would
come. The evening was in spring
genial and bal,ny. their home wilder
~s@'SS OF OhiSsnhS. one rfepafe't Ills sup
per W tn her own hands; she adorned
The rooms with the flowers he loved. and
even laid out his gown and slippers and
drew his arm chair beneath the window
Then she went to her chamber. AMI pu'
on the dress he liked To see her wear.
mauve silk. with dainty laces at the
throat AMI wrists. aud j-t and gold orna
ments; her fosSy brown hair held back
by sprays Of helotrope and sweet VERDE
Ia. Surveying herself in the mirror.
she smiled ard blushed remembering
his words when she had first worn the
dress: oh, Maud you are so beautr
full; always wear this dress, darl ng,
when you W sh to please mo-
The Nav sun wheeled lower and low
er. leaving the earth warped in the 'lus
XIV miss of twilight. Maud began to
grow impatient. She lit he lamp IN the
pariot, and then went out to the porch
10 wait. He surely would come; h.
would not disappoint her! The golden
tint of day fade.l like the colors of a
dream; the stars came on; one hv one in
the hazy Iusture e the sky: ami then The
moon arose. coming up granhly above
the purple sleeps Still he had not come