The Morning herald., 1877-05-23

from home all.Winter.H - :
Mayer sat upright in his seat, and re.
are you going, Andrew ?"
II have sister living in Florida" re-.
piled the other, "and have not seen her
for years. She has lately become widow
and writes that her property is in confu-
sion, and begs me to come and visit her.
in the hope that I may be able to set some
things straight. Her health is delicate,
and that's another reason why think
ought to 80. l may meyer see her again
unless l make lup my mind to SET out
pretty soon." .,.. ........... +.
II shall have dull time while you are
gone" said Mayer, with a sigh, "But l
suppose | shall have to endure it. When
do you think of starting?" l.
Next week, perhaps. In fact, am
almost certain to leave then," was the
reply.
Mayer lowered his head for a few mo.
mepts as if he were thinking, then quickly
raising it, spoke:
"Life is brief at best. You may never
return, and should you do 20, you may not
find me here. Come, Andrew let US make
a pledge to each other. Whichever of us
dies first returns in spirit for the intorma-
ton Of the survivor?'
= "Agreed," replied McC Calmont, grasping
his friends hand. "But how know we that
such thing will be permitted"
AT all events" replied the other, Zone
Of US shall learn as much by the issue, in
the accomplishment or the non. fulfillment
Of our compact. If disembodied soul may
return to earth, and reveal the mystery,
we are individually bound to do So"
When Andrew McCalmont walked to his
home that night there were painful con-
victions on his mind that his friend May
ers conduct was growing more strange
than good and sound reason seemed to war.
rant. Andrew really had sincere regard
for Oscar. An uninterrupted friendship Of
more than thirty years had established be.
tween these two men tie of more than
ordinary strength; and now that they were
about to separate by McCalmonts visiting
the South, the latter could not avoid feel
ing great anxiety concerning the former.
The time had intervened previous to
Andrews departure was chiefly employed
by him in visiting and consoling Oscar,
who really seemed to suffer depression
of spirits as the time drew nearer for Nc
Calmont's departure.
At length he was gone. The goodbye
had been said, the hand wrung in friend
ly grasp, and Andrew was leaving the chilly
winds behind as he journeyed to more
genial cline.
The household of Andrew McCalmont
was to remain intact during his absence.
Mrs. Nudge, the old Aousekeeper, opened
the shutters Of Andrews room in the morn
ings swept and aired it just as if he had
been present. His newspaper was placed
on his table with the usual regularity that
had been practiced for years past.
The only break in that occurred in the
regular custom Of things was, that Brind-
ley, the serving man, no longer saddled his
white horse Chat every body rec
ognized from the fact of it having four
black feet), and brought it on pleasant
for Andrew to take his ride. All
else in and about the place moved with
Its usual precision.
Once or twice during the winter months
Mayer received letters from his friend. who
appeared anxious for the time to pass that
be might return to his home. At length
it wanted but few weeks of much desired
event. The weather was exceedingly mild
and there was a prospect Of an early
Spring.
One night Oscar, who had been sitting at
The window, looking up at the stars. laid
him down to rest as the clock struck eleven.
The night was calm, the town silent, and
starry darkness reig led over the wide, silent
'erene hemisphere. Contrary to his won't
I'd habit, his sleep was dreamy, disturbed
.nd uarefreshing. Several times during
he night he arose from his bed and walked
he floor, then lay down again in the hope
If wooing sweet slumber. In vain he
urned from side to side and tried the usual
,xpedients to obtain sleep. Three o'clock
four-then five-and he was
till awake. In another hour it would be
1uite or nearly day break.
He arose from his bed, and slipping on
ii, dressing gown, sat down by the window
% watch for the pale streaks Of dawn in the
East. Everything was hushed in the still
,ess. The ticking of the old clock on the
staircase, just outside his room, sounded to
lis painfully attentive ear like the audi
lie pulse Of time. At last the gray dawn
appeared, and at the same moment there
,ame a violent knock at the street door.
Mayer started from his seat and listened.
What could it be at that untimely hour ?
After moment the knocking was repeated
md Oscar raised the sash and gazed out. |
" hat did he behold? Was it a dream, or
vas he losing his reason? He pressed his |
,and to his brow and staggered against the
Quietly standing by the curb
tone was McCalmont's white horse, sad.
lled for his masters use. while upon the |