The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1876-01-12
Sadie broke the eloquent silence


that fell on both in that hushed
| tone we involuntarily use when
; speaking of holy things.
Mother said your life was a
sacrifice, but L could not under
stand why. But you must clone
ly now, the girls are married.
! What will you do when Walter
comes for me; I am almost sorry
to CO."
II do not know. I have been
thinking"-a terrific noise startled
them.
"What is it2" asked Sadie, with
white lips.
Gan explosion, I fear; it is just
time for the evening train TO come
down" .,.
Ruth's surmise was too true;
the train was almost torn IN
pieces;~ how any one escaped
was q miracle. -Ruth's home was
close to the disaster and it was
fast filed with the wounded. Not
until every sufferer had been made
as comfortable as possible, and
provided with careful nurse, did
Ruth think of rest. Too weary
almost to move yet too sympa-
thetic 10 sleep, she drew an easy
chair to her own bedside and pre-
pared to watch by the lovely
young creature, who lay there
white and still, is if the little
white hands were folded forever.
Presently the great dark eyes
opened, and the sweetest of voices
asked, care you at leisure now ?
Viii you please write a note to
my husband and tell him where
and how I am? He will be so
anxious. 7 should like. him to
come at once"
ayes, certainly, with pleasure;
what is his address ?"
Did Ruth hear right? Was
the floor slipping under her feet,
and the rush and roar Of Niagara
filing her ears?
How sepulchral her voice sound
ed, when she asked again for the
number of his Office!
All that long night, and the
longer day that followed, as she
kept her untiring care of his wife,
Ruth was nerving herself for the
coming, praying for strength to
meet this Sidney Of long ago.
God help her; human will is too
weak to control human hearts.
She was standing by the window
when be came, outwardly calm
only the shadowy, violet eyes and
sensitive mouth telling that she
was suffering.
"Miss Linton, will you please
come here so Col. Darrell may see
who has been so kind to me ?"
Ruth turned, made one step to-
ward them ther stopped. Was it
the light Of the setting sun that
bathed the white face with such
radiant beauty?. ...
Colonel Darrell smiled as be took
both hands in bis own and listened
to the low, murmured words Of
welcome. Out ofthe house, away
from everybody, her: swift feet
went. Down in the tangled Or
chard grass her joyful thanksgiv-
ing was poured out to Him who
watches the sparrow's fall. There
was 3 mistake somewhere ; this
blonde-haired man was not the
lover of her heart. A shadow fell
before her as she rose from her
knees, but she did not see it.
sI believe he has been true all
these sad years" 1884,.
"He has, Ruth-my Ruth !"
"Sidney! it was his very self
standing there-the old light in
his eyes the old smile on his care
worn face; bis hands holding her
own as in bygone days.
"My darling, I never knew until
you wrote that letter to my cousin
Sidney that you were not mar
RED"
Explanations followed inter-
spersed with smiles and tears.
We have nothing to do with these.
But Sadie was bridesmaid soon af-
ter. and now there are two Mrs.
Sidney barrels.