Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-31

more, arriving in Boston late in October.
Allison was very much exhausted by her
VOYAGE, and we went directly to Farm
dale, purposing to make a short visit to
New York, when we had rested few
DAYS. 1t was the last day OF October,
when we sat in onr familiar sitting-room,
that we arranged to go to the city the fol-
lowing week. knew that Alison longed
to see Mrs. Morgan again, to hear ii any
further tidings had ever been heard from
the missing son, and I was as anxious as
herself to hear.
The afternoon and evening sped away,
and it was growing late when Margery
came in with great ball of yarn in her
hand.
Miss Alison, dear" she SAID, ''it is
nearly midnight, and Halloween. Try
charm for true love. darling"
Alison turned SO deadly pale that l
thought she was iainting, and turned half
angrily to Margery.
'sHush, Miss Annie !" she whispered to
me, .'the eleven o'clock train is in !"
Something in her face, her manner. 81.
fenced the words on my lips, and
watched her while she bent lovingly over
our pale, sorrowing darling.
II have opened all the doors to the very
gate. Miss Alison" she urged, land you
N must try my charm. Hold the end OF the
warn fast" and here she deity twisted
the woollen string around Alison's passive
fingers; ''now roll the ball out into the
street. Wait and your true love will lift
the ball and bring it in to you"
.Margery - Alison cried, looking into
the old worpan's excited face, what do
you mean?'
..Wait. darling See ! the string is
tightening. 1t is lifted! He is coming
Oh, darling! Miss Annie! See see"'
For there IN the doorway, white and ev-
identity still weak but, alive, stood Fred
Morgan, with the ball of yarn in his hand,
smiling at the device Margery had tried
to break the shock of surprise for Alison
Smiling as he looked in, to start forward
in q moment to catch Alison as she fell
forward fainting.
MarQery and were crying heartily in
corner as the young girl revived under
her lovers care, to look into his face, and
realize the truth that he was really there.
1t was an hour of deepest gladness, and
Margery was still telling me of the arrival
by the eleven O'Clock train. and her own
shock Of surprise at the door, when Fred
called me -
will you not say you are glad to see
me. Miss Annie P" he said, extending his
hand.
.Glad!' said. "My dear, dear boy. ;"
and then cried again. 'But how came
YOU here ?" asked.
II saw your arrival in a Boston news
paper. and as you did not come to New
York concluded you were here, and came
as soon as possible to find you. / was
knocked on the head the day of the fire,
but dragged from the store by the firemen.
can tell you but little of the next four
months. Some of the suffers, in their
own distress, found time to drag me to
place OF safety, and was put in one of
the tents, when they arrived. Burned,
stunned, soaked with rain. was seized
with delirious fever, and lay raying
burden upon the hands OF strangers for
long weeks. When recovered my reason
many of those who had cared for me, pass
ing me from one another, were gone.
God bless them, wherever they are.''
"Amen !" said Alison. softly.
81 had telegram sent to father, and he
came to me-" continued Fred. my first |
questions were of you, but you were in
Europe. constantly moving. There !
seemed no course but waiting, not very
patiently, fear, and the year has dragged
along YEARLY enough, watching every
steamer till last Saturdays brought you
home"
There was wedding at Thanksgiving.
for had no heart to resist Fred's pleas
now for speedy marriage. I am alone
again at Farmdale, but know l shall be
often q welcome guest in the home in New
York Vvhoro Erod has taEan Alison -
Godey's for October.