The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1868-07-04
From Pet erson's Magazine.
HOW HARRY CANE HOME.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES,


".Six years to-day ~hat a long, long
time" .iebed Maud Merlin, sinking into the
low sea, by the window, and pressing bet
sad, white face against the glass. "Ah, me!
bow happy was; but it is all over, l shall
never Le happy again
Her dark eyes oveiflowed with tears, and
her memory went back 10 the old home o'
hef hildhood. the great, rambling country
hose Nth ils spacious rootns, and blazing
fires, and large. hearted hospitality. She
could see the old garden, with its winding
borders, and cool retreats, and catch the
sweet odor Of the pinks, and the drowsy mur'
mur Of the bees and there Was tho wood
blne aibor, beneath which she and Harry bad
sa, so often together. How we'll she relnern.
bered one evening above all Others, an eve
ming in royal June; the sir heavy With spicy
odors, and full moon pouring down i,s glo
rify ing light upon the snowy pillows Of
orchard bloom, and the long hedges Of Grim.
con roses, weighed down by their own in.
tense perfume. On that evening she had
listened to the story that has been so often
repeated, but which never grows DID,
Maud, my darling, love you-wiII you be
my wife 2" She recalled the very words,
she seemed TO hear bis dear voice, and see
his tender eyes. The bs,ro.haI ring WAS still
upon her fugsr, just as be put it there that
night, and brside it another, even yet more
sacred, ber wedding.ring.
And this stormy, desoate night was the an.
niveissry. Six years ago, and the old home.
stead bad rung with music and revelry. Ev.
cry window bIazed with light. and every
broad bear!hs,one glowed with flaming logs.
For on that night, robed in white, and
adorned With blossoms as spotless as her own
virgin heart, and beauty aud belle wherever
she went. became bride. Bidding farewell
to the old home, and the old friends, Maud
wen, forth with her husband, from bshcefortb
and forever. to be the light OF bis home, and
the in pirntion Of his life.
One year, one short, sweet, happy year,
that went by like some rare, rich melody,
without single note Of discord to break ito
divine pc, fectlon, and then the Iouble came.
The bare remembrance Of it blanched the
wite's cheeks, and made her breath come in
quick, painful gasps. At the close Of that
short, happy year Of her wedding life, her
husband received information concerning the
illness Of an only brother residiOg in Cali
iornia. lie WAS dying Of slow but sure dis.
ease, and wished to see bis brothers, faco
once more. larry Merlin did not hesitate
sn instant, the path Of duty was pIain-he
must 90. Maud enlreatsd 10 be permitted
to accompany him, be was inexorable. The
risks and bardships were zoo great.
Left alone, Maud was not the woman 10
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 house,
hold, and At last the dreary days went by,
aud tldirgs from Harry came. He WAS safe
at his journeys end, bu. bis brother WAS
dead, leaving Harry. however, the inberiter
of a considerable fortune. Just as soon as
his business matters could be arranged,
lIarrv wrote lie would slart for home. Soon
after second mail came, bringing intelli-
gence that Harry, in company with quite
party Of brother travellers, had set out taking
the ovei land route.
Maud counted the days with throbbing
impatieuce, the parting had been so long !;
she 50 pned TO see his dear face, and 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 flow
ers be loved, and sang the ballads he admired;
never did woman count the passing moments
With more loving expectation. AT last
the day came. She bad received no further
intelligence, but she felt sure that he would
come. The evening was in spring, genial
and balmy, their little home q wilderness Of
blossoms. She prepared his supper with her
own hands; she adorned the rooms with the
flow ers he loved, and even laid out bis gown
aud slippers, and drew bis arm chair beneath
the window. Then she vent to ber chamber,
and put on the dress be liked 10 see her
wvar-a mauve silk, with dainty Iaces at the
throat and wrists, and jet aud gold orpa'
,nent; her tlossy, brown hair held back by
sprays OF helio,rops aud sweet ve'bena. Sur
veyng herself 10 the mirror, she smiled and
bIu.hed, remembering bis words when she
bad first worn the dress.
"Ob, Maud you are so beautiful; always
wear this dress, darling, when you wish to
please me-"
The May sun wheeled lower and lower, and
at last went down, leaving the earth wrapt 10
the dusky mist Of twilight. Maud began to
grow impatient. She lit the lamps 10 the
psrlor, aud then went out to the porch to
v ait. lie surely would come, be would not
disappoiut ber The golden tiu,s Of day
faded like colors Of dream, the stars came
out one by one in the h"zy ustre Of the sky A;
and then the moon arose. coming up gradually
above The purple sleeps. Still be bad not
come, and the poor wifs's heart began to
grow sick with hope deferred. Another
bour, and then, above the murmurous music
Of The night, she heard sharp step upon the
gravel, and started to her feet, flushed and
brea,hless; but The mex. instant she fol- back
pale with disappointment, for the step was
not his-she knew that long before the per-
SOD came in sight. He advanced toward the
porch where she sat With slow, uncertain
step, observing which, and recognizing n'm
| L. AA