The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-06-11

Ihdiilcu les tney were 10 De married.
Every one at McKibbon's Corners knew
that now. Jessie Lester went no more to
the postoffice for her long expected letter.
job was furnishing his house--had furnish
ed it--for on the morrow his wedding was
to take place. And it was night again. A
month from that night, when she had come
for the last time, as every one thought, rain
and mud, to make her sadly foolish query,
she was sensible at last-yery sensible
She had chosen the substance instead Of
the shadow.
And now, as we have said, it was night,
and wetter one than the other-later, too,
for Mr.. Fairjohu had closed the store, and
was coinpounding himself what he called
chi ghtcap" of some fragrant liquor, warm
water, lemons and sugar, and was slipping
1t by the stove, when there came upon his
door feeble knock and when being re-
peated he heard it, there staggered in out
of the rain dripping fgure-that of Jessie
Lester, the bride who was to be on the
morrow.
She was trembling with cold, and as he
led her to the fire she burst into food of
tears.
"I'm frightened she said. ''Some one
followed me all the way. l heard them"
'1ou've no business to be alone at
night" said old Fairjohn, bluntly. "Bu:
what's .he matter ?''
She looked up piteously.
81 thought there would he a letter." said
she. 81 dreamt there was one. thought
Charlie came to me and said: Go to the
office once more. have written, l have
written and thought | saw a letter with
a red seal.''
$50 did l." muttered old Fairjohu to
himself
He went to the box where the letters
were kept, and brought them to her in his
hand.
Look for yourself" he said "And
now, Mrs. Lester, I'm an old man. Take
my advice. Remember what your duty
will be after tomorrow. Remember not
to go crazy. Ten years have gone since
your husband left this place. If he's alive
he's a rascal, aud you are free of him by
law, but we all know that every man on
oodiu tHt cpuyilN was ufD"itu. 90 De
good wife to job Roper and forget this folly,
but dou't come heie again"
She made no answer, but only tossed the
letters over in her lap, and said
81 seemed to know it had red seal"
And as she spoke, Fairjohn, gazing at
the door, saw dark shadow there; saw it
grow darker; saw it enter, and standing
upon his defense, if need was, recognized
job Roper.
lie was very pale, and he took no notice
of Fairjohn, but crossing the store, stood
beside Jessie Lester.
t'You love that man best even now,'' he
said. ''1ou d rather have found letter
our wedding day."
She looked UP into his face with piteous
glance.
II never Led to you, Job," said she;
''You know that
lie grew whi.er still.
81 told you a man would lose lis soul
for such love as mne," said he. ''Did you
think those were idle words ?'' Then he
plunged his hands into his bosom, and the
next Instant a letter with red seal lay in
Jessie's lap.
''I've made you happy, and now I'll CO."
he said. ''Fairjohn, | stole that letter
month ago, off the counter yonder.
knew who wrote it at a glance = and then
the door closed behind him and lie was
gone.
But Jessie had torn open the letter and
never looked after him.
And these were the words she read and
Fairjohn read over her shoulder
"ABoARD THE SILVER STAR.-Jessie
Darling / don't know what makes me
believe that / shall find you mine still, af-
ter all these years but something does.
Five Of us were cast on Il desert island when
the Srhynx went down. The of us was yet
alive were taken of ii yesterday in skins,
with our boards to our kEees. We must go
To Eaglaud tirst-theu bone: Jessie, Jessie,
X l do not tind YOU as | left you l shall go
mad. Your husband, CHARLES LESTER"
And SO Jessie's letter had come ut last,
and as John Fairjohn looked into her face
he saw how angels look in Paradise.
job. Job was found drowned in the
Kill the next morning. Jessie never knew
it, perhaps, for she and her boy were on
the way to New York to meet the Silver
Star when it made port.
AN old man up in Connecticut had
poor cranky bit of wife, who regularly
once a week got up in the night and in
vitcd the family to see her die. She gave
away her things, spoke her last words,
and made peace with Heaven, and then
about 8 .he got up in her usual way and
disappointed everybody by going at her
household duties as if nothing had hap
pened. The old man got sick of it finally,
and went and bought coffin, real nice.
shroud, wreath Of immortelles, with
Farewell Mary Ann worked in, and
handful of silver plated screws. Laying