The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-02-12

tie, emitting odorous, tempting fumes.
Ii was time for his arrival, and he was usu-
ally very protnpt. Yet he tarIied.
The change In the weather had not taken
place unn0ticesi. but had prosiuced In her
kind Of indefinite uneasiness, q slight
restiessness, and vet IL had no peculiar Inn
portance In connection with the absence
OF her husband, until the clock on the man
Tel struck Z. Then the wind, Whaling
around the house corners. rafting the
doors and shutters, and the snow beating
so persistenuy against the window-panes,
acquired q painful significance. Her hus-
band was out In the storm, end might AT
that moment be perishing with cold ON the
prairie.
This dreadful thought transformed her
whole being; the genial expression of her
face changed to aterrified look. She went
To the window. and drew wide the cur
tains, that the bright fire-light might shine
out As heaven 10 guide him who was the
light Of her humble life. She paced to and
fro under rapidly increasing excitement.
The weird sounds made by the storm mes
sengers. as they whirled by in the fulfill
ment OF their mission, made her start and
tremble.
1t had grown late: il was half-past s,
y
down into the lire, and made her plan. II
was desperate one. but love is more des-
perate than hate. If John Dalton did not
come by Q o'clock, she would go and find
him.
Rising with firmness. she went first to her
children. They were sleeping peacefully.
A kiss for each. long lingering look of
affection, but no thought that she would
never see them again.
She took from a closet a pair OF over
shoes and cloak for herself. blanket
and a flask OF brandy for him she was go
ing to seek. Her simple preparations COM
pleted. she stood waiting.
IL lacked quarter OF .. There was a
noise ar the door like knocks repeated by
one who desired entrance. To Jane Dai-
tons overwrought senses there was the
sound of hand on the door-knob. She
rushed to the door to admit her husband
she opened II TO let in the bowling blast
which almost dashed her to the floor.
Sadly disappointed, bat still courageous,
she returned TO herplace before the clock.
In five minutes more the time would
be up. Her cloak and hood were on, and
she was ready for whatever God had i'm
store for her. She watched the clock like
one who waits for some supreme moment
VA llit- it WHITES sttntu 10 DE- roughly
calling her. Then they lulled few sec
onds. and she heard a cry--a moan-which
seemed TO freeze her blood. That Is
John" she cried "he calls me-
Instantly she was out In the night. bray
ing the storm. Where should she 90:
she could not tell. She went blindly on.
a sparrow does not fall without His
knowledge. Her steps were guided her
eet struck something buried in the snow. |
Ii was the mailbag. THANK God - she |
aid. and fell on her knees at her hus- I
bands side. Quickly. almost fiercely she 4
matched from his body the jealous snow. l
She rubbed his breast; she chafed bis wrist /
md hands. There was an electricity Of 4
owe in her touch, which quickly restored /
and life.
John Dalton arose from that bed of /
leath, saved BY his wife.
Together In the little home, BY the /
fright fire, aheart-felt prayer, kiss for |
he little ones. an embrace-yes. more than |
,ne-for the wife. the supper finished, the /
contents OF the snug little kettle not for
gotten. John Dalton pressed his hand on /
ais forehead, his face wore troubled 1
ook, then he turned to Jane and said:
wife, | almost forgot the mail: an
important letter in the bag, and must be I
tonight" tender voice re- 4
Dlied: No. John; tomorrow will do
ST Iotus Gfobs