Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-21
NO. 1873.
Gales aud Sketehes.
HOW HARRY CAME HOME.

Six years to-day! what long time,''
sighed Maud Merlin, sinking into low
seat by the window, and pressing her sad,
white face against the glass. "Ah me,
how happy l was but it's all over, shall
never be happy again!'
Her dark eyes overfowed with tears,
and her memory went back to the old
home other childhood, the great rambling
country house, with the spacious rooms
and blazing fires, and large hearted hos
pitality. She could see the old garden
with its winding borders and cool retreats,
and catch the sweet odors of the pinks.
and the drowsy murmers of the bees and
there was the wood-bine arbor, beneath
which she and Harry sat so often together,
How well she remembered one evening
| above all others, an evening in lovely
Juue; the air heavy with spicy odors, and
a full moon pouring down its glorifyine
light upon the snowy pillows of orchard
bloom, and the long hedges of crimson
roses, weighed down by their own i'm
mense perfume. On that evening she had
listened to the story that has been SO Of
ten repeated, but which never grows old.
Maud, my darling, love you-will you
be my wife ?" She recalled the very words.
she seemed to hear his clear voice and
see his tender eyes. The betrothal ring
was still upon her finger, just as he put il
that night, and beside it another, even yet
more sacred, her wedding ring,
And this stormy desoiate night was the
anniversary Six years ago. and the old
homestead and rung with music and revel-
ry. Every window blazed with light, and
every broad hearth stone glowed with
flaming logs. For on that night, robed in
white, and adorned in blossoms as spot
less and sweet as her own virgin heart.
! Maud, sole daughter of house and heart,
and beauty and belle wherever she went,
became a bride.
! Bidding farewell to the old home. and
the old friends, Maud went forth with her
husband, from heneeforth and forever to
be the light of his home, snd the inspira-
lion OF his life
One year. one short. sweet, happy year.
that went by like some rare, rich melody,
without a single note of discord, to break
its perfection, and then the trouble came
The bare remembrance OF it blanched the
wife's checks, and made her breath come
in quick, painful gasps. At the close OF
this short, happy year of her welded life,
her husband received information concern
ing the illness of an only brother residing
III CAiiiolHh. Aic was uylH2 vi 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 entreat
ed to be premmitted .oaccompany him, but
he was inexorable. The risks and hard
ships were too great.
Left alone, Maud was not the woman 10
give way to dependency; it was her ma
ture 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, and tidings from Harry came
He was safe ut his journeys end, bnt his
brother was dead. leaving Harry. howev-
er, the inheritor of considerable fortune.
Just as soon as his business matters could
be arranged, Harry wrote. he would start
for home Soon after second mail came
bringing intelligence that Harry, in COM
pany with quite aparty Of brother travel.
| lers, had set out, taking the overland
route.
Maud counted the days with throbbing
impatience, the parting had been so long:
she so pined 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 sang the ballads
he admired; never did woman count the
passing moments with such loving expec-
taton. At last the day came. She had
received no further intelligence, but she
felt sure that he would come. The even
ing was in spring, genial and balmy, their
little home wilderness of blossoms. She
prepared his supper with 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 room
and put on the dress he liked to see her
wcar--a mauvc silk with dainty laces at
the throat and wrists, aud jet and gold
ornaments; her fiossy, brown hair held
back by sprigs of heliotrope and sweet
verbena. Surveying herselfin the mirror
she smiled and blushed, remembering 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 wheeled lower and lower,
and at last went down, leaving the earth
wlapt in the dusky mists OF twilight.
Maud began to grow impatient. She lit
the lamps in the parlor and then went out
to the porch to wait. He .swould
come. he would not disappoint -. The
Golden tints OF day faded into The coiors
of dream. the stars came out one oy
one in the hazy lustre of the sky; and the
moon arose, coming up grandly above the
purple steep. Still he had not come and
he poor wife's heart began to grow sick
with hope deferred Another hour and
then above the nurmurous music of the
night. she heard a sharp step upon the
gravel, and started to her feet flushed and
GREATNESS; but the next instant she fell
back pale with disappointment. for the
step was not his-she knew that long be-
fore the person came into sight. He ad-
vanced toward the porch where he sat,
with u slow, uncertain step, observing
which and recognizing him as one of her
neighbors she advanced to meet him.
'.Mr Rutherford, is it you? | am look
ing Tor my husband, What do you think
can detain him9"
He stood still, his face full OF silent,
unspeakable pity. Something in its ex-