Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-11-24
her behind. But she know it all

her behind. But she knew it al
long afterward. fl --..s7
What more was there for him
then but to say farewell in courte'
Gus phrase, as strangers may, and
then to go anywhere, it did not mat
ter-wherever God pleased or chance
should drift him?
Two years of aimless wandering,
''To and fro upon the earth and up
and down it." and a message reached
Bruce Harper in the South Ameri-
can city where he was stopping. 1t
was very concise as Doctor Charley's
epistles usually were, and read:
-"Dear Bruce-Come home imme-
diately. have news for you. Con
stance Benoir is dead. Come at
once to my house when you land,
and believe me, yours, as ever,
CLENDENNING."
How gladly Bruce shook the dust
of Valparaiso from his feet and
hurried home, l need not say.
Changeda good deal himself, in
looks at least, by wind and tropic
sun, he found little change in Char
ley Clendenning. And standing in
his friends pretty little parlor, every
thing seemed so exactly like what
he remembered it that night, he
could almost believe those two years
had been a dream. He recollected
the pictures on the walls, the fur
nishing of the room, and if that
were not the self-same dressing
gown that Charley used to wear, it
was surely its duplicate.
3" Lydia was out" Doctor Clenden-
ming said.
Yes, he remembered she was,
dreamily, and he had left message
for her. 1t was not till Charley
spoke another name that Bruce
Harper was quite himself.
"Mr. Frost died three months ago
and appointed me Christine's guard
ian." ..'
"Christine, Where is she?"
"At the old place. She begged to
be allowed to live there, and her
aunt is keeping house for her. My
wife is there this morning"
"Does Christine know"-h |
could 60 no farther.
Charley Clendenning said:
"She knows nothing but what you
may have told her yourself. know
that man can plead his own cause
best, and I left it all to you"
True friend! And Mrs. Clenden-
ming was surely a model woman in
hat she had kept the secret from
every one sacredly locked in her own
heart. ...
Bruce Harper went straight to the
Frost dwelling, and met Mrs. Clend-
,nning coming out.
Welcome home, Mr.. Harper, and
success to youw with an arch, back
ward glance to where figure stood
IL tuc QOOl wa ....
In the doorway, where she had
'tood two years before, waiting for
lin.
He had carried picture with him
,ver land and sea-a picture Of
-oung girl standing in a doorway
ike this-a young girl with eyes
leeply, darkly blue, with red, smil-
ng lips, and loose brown hair blown
'ver her face. The picture was
lere before him now, living,
'reathing counterpart of the one in
lis mind, only the red lips had for
often to smile, and the blue eyes
Iad startled look as they rested
rst on the tall figure and bronzed
ace before her. Il
"Have you any welcome for me,
1t was worth journey round the
lobe to see how the light and color ,
capped into her face at the first
ound of his voice, while two hands
Tere outstretched eagerly, and she
'as crying out impulsively:
Bruce! Bruce! Have you come Z
ack again?"
No more concealments-no more
ark secrets to hide. 1t took all I
ne courage Bruce Harper had, t
lough, to tell this girl the shame
IL story of his early marriage; but S
e did tell her. He meant that she a
hould know all. There should be t
o more sailing under false colors. 4
nd if, knowing all, she could still
'ust him, then indeed should come "
n him the dawning Of a new day, S
lie beginning of a brighter and "
appier life. C
If he had ever doubted her per- d
ct faith and confidence in him, he a
oubted no longer when she came s
lyly to the shelter of his arms, 4
81 have loved you so b
ng, Bruce" t.
Out in the hall a fresh young
oice was singing the last two lines a
song: c
"Grieve no more, sweet, am Jamie, d
Home returned to love and thee" T
Bruce Harper smiled down upon h
le pretty face lying against his I
east.
"That song means something to
ou and me, doesn't it, little one?" ~ =,
"Yes," softly; ''it's the sweetest =, =,
the world to me now that my y !,
,mie has come home" -