The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1874-07-09
ho, come what might, was to be his

WHO, come Wilat might, was to be his
WIFE
The men at the mill remarked that
young boss was not himself that morn
ing. lie made mistakes in his accounts
and ordered new brand of flour put into
the wrong barrels, and then relieved him
self by berating the hands soundly for
their stupidity. Before noon he had sent
word up to the house that he was going
to ride to Bradford on business. and need
not be looked for until late hour in the
evening.
Mrs Huntly stood before Huldah, who
sat by the window where blooming
splrea made pretty snow drift. altering
her old brown silk into q fashioned
polonaise Huldah was fresh and youth
ful copy of her mother; at the age of the
deacon's widow she would have the same
amlable pouter-pigeop expression.
'She won't come down to tea, said the
good woman with 4 triangle of perplexity
in the middle Of her forehead. land she's
crying her eyes out, and trying to starve
herself. expect. Isn't it enough to have
things to walk ont of the house without
hands or feet9 I've been 4 housekeeper
going on 80 years, and never felt called
upon to keep 4 stitch of anything under
| lock and key. But it will teach me les
son, and shall think twice another time
before take a stranger into my family.
| Mother said IIuldah. looking I'D.
- it might not be the end if Rachel went
away. DO you know. think that Edwin
has taken a great fancy
| "Well, what if he has? ?" cooed Mrs.
Huntly, with charming inconsistency, .
could fall in love with the little thing my
self if it wasn't for this. Edwin isn't 4
| fool he has @ol your fathers GOOD hard
sense
| Edwin was riding home along the creek
after midnight, and the moon was shining
| down full and large. 1t was bright as
day. Dew lay on the still flowers, and
| Whit1s Of fragrance and freshness came
from the grassy fields Edwin was think
! ing nt Rachel, 50 that she seemed every
| where present to him in the calm. still
beauty of the scene
| A turn OF the highway brought him
within sight OF the new railroad, and the
| dizzy, dangerous spot where 4 half finish
| ed bridge Spanned the gorge The place
was Jagged with rocks, deep and wild,
and in the night looked like u black chasm
| opening down to the centre of the earth.
with the whirling and rushing of hidden
waters. The slender supports OF the tim
| bers were like mere threads stretching
| out over the gully.
Edwin had just recalled Moses Gof"s
| ridiculous ghost story, when the happy
| love whistle died on his lips, and he rein
| ed in his horse with sudden Jerk;
| Was he awake or dreamino? There
was something on the bridge. something
white moving towards his side of the
gully; a woman clad in white colorcl
garments, with long hair streaming over
her shoulders. She looked thus thread
ING the air, like an angel Of light noatn"
over the abyss of doom.
Edwin flung himself from his horse
he never knew how-and crcpl into some
bushes by the bridge head. The thing,
spirit, earthly creature, whatever il was.
came right on, with that wonderful airy
motion. over the dangerous timbcrs. An
error OF half an inch to right or left, and
death would have been swift and sure.
But the light garment just waved in and
out about the small feet, and the moon
light shonc full upon a face pale and rigid
as marble. The eyes were wide open but
sightless. a small bundle was pressed
against her BOSOM
Edwin saw the face distinctly. II was
Rachel \ vertigo must have seized him
there, crouched among the bushes, but it
gave way instantly to an immense sense
or gratitude ana rellet. she had glided
across the road and through an opening
in the wall between some trees. Edwin
stole stealthly after her. On and on she
went, with the motion of q spirit, over
the damp meadow grass until she came
to the edge of an abandoned gravel pit
Down the side of this place she clambered
nimbly, and laying her bundle in the bot
tom of the pit, began to heap over it earth
and loose stones in the form of Il little
grave, By peering down over the edge
Edwin could see other small mounds of
the same kind. She mounted the bank
swiftly when her task was done, and
though Edwin dreaded to touch hel " itn
that unearthly look upon her face he put
himself in the path just where she must
pass, and drew his arm gently around her
waist Rachel trembled to find her mo-
ton arrested, then gave 4 long sigh. with
the light of consciousness coming into her
liteless eyes.
"Oh, where am - she moaned.
''1ou are with me, my darling, safe
and well, thank God! p and in the ecstasy
of his JOY and gratitude he pressed kisses
on her lips and cheeks, and Unidentified
himself for all he had longed tor and
missed
Rachel drew herself away, blushing
and trembling, and still bewildered.
"What has happened ?n she asked in a
distressed voice. ''Why am | alone out
of-doors here in the night with you?"
at was by Gods providence | found
you," said Edwin, much moved "You
have been walking in your sleep, Rachel,
and night after night have come over that
fearful bridge. l cannot help turning sick
with horror when think of the risk you
ran. You came to this place to bury your
clothes there in the gravel pit
"Oh, know it all now!" cried Rachel,
clasping her hands. g 1t was the dream
You know, told you Of my dear little
brother who died i thought was DOOM
ed to carry his dead body in my arms un-
til | found burial place; that | must not
mind difficulties or dangers, but 90 OH and
on u weary way. on through the world if
need be-
And there are Your graves down in
the pit and there, my darling, You shall
bury every sorrow Oh, Rachel, tell me
that you love me; promise that you will
be my wife"
Rachel averted her face for moment.
and then, with & quick child-like gesture
of infinite grace and tenderness. put her
arms about his neck and gave him her
mute reply If arper's Bazar
The Boston Advertiser gives the follow
ing touching description Of Mai-Gpn. B. +.
Butler NJ. y. NJ:
lie is the conspicuous champion ofill
the vicious measures and polices that have
brought disgrace and confusion upon the
Republican party. Every scheme oftinan-
cial dishonor, from Pendetons device for
cheating the men who risked their for
1nnpsto save the national life to A[orion's