Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-03-04

wrapt in the duSky mlStS OF tW1llSnt |
Maud began to grow impatient. She lit |
the lamps in the parlor and then went out |
to the porch to wait. He surely would |
come. he would not disappoint her. The
golden tints of day faded into the colors of
dream, the stars came out one by one in
the hazy luster of the sky; and the moon
arose, coming up grandly above the purple
steep. Still he had not come, and the poor
wife's heart began to grow sick with hope
deferred. Another hour. and then. above
the murmurous music of the night, she
heard 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 before the person
came into sight. He advanced toward the
porch where she sat, with slow, uncer-
tain step, observing which. and reeogniz-
ing him as one of her neighbors, she ad-
vanced to meet him.
"Mr. Rutherford, is it you? l am
looking for my husband. What do you
think can detain him?"
He stood still, his face full of silent, un-
speakable pity. Something in its express
sion caught her quick eyes, and she sprang
| forward and grasped his arm.
Mr.. Rutherford, you bring me bad
tidings. Speak, don't keep me in sus-
pense."
| Still the man was silent.
! "Oh, sirr' she entreated, d" don't trifie
with my feelings. Do you know anything
concerning my husband? If you do. for
mercy's sake speak out"'
Madam, have heard-that is-there
is bad news" he began. his voice husky
and broken.
Her face grew white rs death. but her
eyes were clear and calm, and her hand
strong as she grasped his arm.
Sir, if you pity me, tell me the worst
ut once; | can bear it"
well, Madam your husband and his
party were waylaid and murdered by the
Indians"
IAN. Did none escape9"
" Not onen'
She turned sharply leaving him without
a word and he saw her enter the house,
and close the door after her-and that was
the end. He would never know that he
had IA son; never look upon the little
chubby face with its bold blue eyes and
sunny curls. so like his own. From thence
, forth her heart and home were desolate.
, And this was the anniversary of her
wedding day. Six years ago and she was
, happy bride. Five years she had been a
| broken- hearted widow. Her boy slept in
his little bed, and she sat there, thinking
and gazing out ut the low, leaden sky and
the wind-tossed trees.
, The night was closing in rapidly
: night of storm and darkness. The rain
| came down in great smoking sheets, ano
+ the wild, wailing winds rushed round the
, gables and went shrieking over the hill:
I like human souls in agony. Her hear
: ached with the desolation that seemed al
4 most insupportable. Life was so hard, We
;. for the boys sake she must endure anf
live on.
She looked down at her sable garment
with hot, binding tears. Six years ag'
and she was robed in gems and blossoms
= His face. his very voice, seemed to COM
v back to her, and she fancied that his spiri
|. must be near her. No matter how hlg
), above her, how happy, she knew that h
Il loved her still. and his glorifie spirit ma
have left its home of bliss to keep with he
:. that sad anniversary-the fancy consoles
d her beyond expression. She glanced owe
O at the sleeping boy with the dim hope tina
IS his father loved and watched over him
5 Then 4 sudden impulse shot across he
n mind; she would not keep the anniversar
s. of her wedding day in the garments of he
5, wi,lowhood: she would put on the robe b
Id loved. If he knew aught of the poor, sa
In life. he should see how sacredly she r.
r. membered and observed his simple
lg wishes.
" Stealing up to her chamber, she took oil
I'd the mauve silk and the dainty Iaces, grow
lg yellow and time-worn, and the pretty ]
rd and gold ornaments, and arryed herself ;
IN in davs gone by; and the old bloom can
H. back to her cheeks, and the brightness
AL her ewes; and she seemed TO drop n
en- wears. and her widowhood, and TO sprir
- out afresh into the rare beauty of b
on maidcnhood. Thus arrayed, she we
rv down softly, and seated herself before Il
ce blazing fire, her face fearful and expectar
,al If his soul were near, and she clung to {
he hope that it was as she clung to life,
er. should see how tenderly she remember
. him.
he The anniversary night wore on wild a
I'D dark with the storm, and still the pc
~ wife half crazed by her terrible sorro
ht sat bv her lonely hearthstone robed in b
ith festive garments. At last there came
in step without. sharp impatient step
ess the Gravel. but she did not hear it.
nd. weary. travel-worn man, bronzed by {
md posure and pale with long-endured grl
be- came up the front entrance and paused
meath the low window. Through
md uarted curtains shone the ruddy firelig
her revealing the warm, attractive room;
to old familiar room, with his hat upon
ra- wall. and his books and meerschaum
the mantel. unmoved as he had left the
ar, revealed the kitten purring on its rug,
DIV, little curtained bed in the distance, a
eak the dear, sweet face, wet with tear,
NE. the dress he loved so in the happy d'
the that seemed too far back to the poor w
'me derer to be real. was lt dream
g of that the wife from whom he had been
life. LONG parted. whose face had been pres
,rn- with him through the lonely hours OF p'
ing and imprisonment was she waiting
ow. watching, and keeping his home bright
his his return?
Rim He left the window, and stole softl!
, of the side door. He raised the latch
en- opened and he stood upon the threshold
i'm. Intent upon her own musings, her Q
and sweet memories and sad reflections, NJ
heard no sound. Her heart was far b
n to with the husband she had loved so W
ma The old dress had revived old associate
She and his very presence seemed round
her about her She looked up with clas
laws hands and streaming eyes.
me "Oh, Harry. oh, my husband.'
his murmured, " II you knew now ioVe
yer, how mourn your loss, surely your
lne. might speak to mine, anu Tell ihe tii't
ould are near ME"
tart MAUD. my wife, my darling!''
me, She started 10 ner leeI VIII Il wohuel
om- startled face lhere ne s1ooo "o,h
vel weary, changed from the man he
ute. been, but his vile recognIZeu Iiiii II II
binp instant. For Il moment a solemn awe fl
,ng: her eyes, and her great love hesitated
hear trembled in the presence of n spirit f
rom the other world, but the next INSTANT
little held him IN her arms WIN whd cry.
rises "Oh, Harry. my husband! you are
lads dead; you have come pack 10 me-
the His passionate kisses on her face,
pee strong arm and throbbing heart, answ
had her as no words could nave oone.