Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-02-13

pause, and then, as il by Z common i'm
pulse, the old man drew his bow across
the strings and the girls sweet voice
carOlled forth the second verse of the
song. Scarcely had they ended, when a
door opened ct the foot of the church
tower Just beside them, and Michael
Fray, h~areheaded, with his scanty locks
blown about by the winter wind, stood
before them. He hurried forward and
then stood still, shame-faced, ~bewildered.
The song had cslled up the vision of q
gallant young sailor, full of life and
health, as Michael had seen his brother
for the last time on the day when he
sailed on his fatal voyage. He had hur-
ried forgetting the years that had passed,
full, of tender memories of happy boyish
days, to find, alas! only a couple of wan
dering beggars, singing for bread.
81 beg your pardon" he said, striving
vainly to master his emotions; "you sang
q song just now which-which-a SON
which vas a favorite of n dear friend OF
mine many years ago. Will you-will
you tell me where you got it?
"By the best Of all titles, sir" the old
fiddler answered, drawing himself up
with a touch of artistic pride; &C wrote
it myself, words and music both"
"Nay, sir" said Michael sternly,
/" you rob the dead. A dearly loved
brother of mine wrote that song forty
years ago."
Well, upon my word!" said the old
fiddler, waxing wroth-" then your
brother must have stolen it from me!
What might this precious brothers. name
be, pray~
IAN honest name, a name | am proud
to speak," said Michael, firing up in his
turn; " his nam was Richard Frayv'
"What!" he exclaimed, peering
eagerly into the Others face; " then you
are my brother Michael, for / am Rich
ard Fray"
Half an hour later and the brothers
SO long parted, 50 strangely brought to-
gether, were seated round a roaring fire
in Michael Trays quaint, three-cornered
parlor. MichaePs stores had been ram
sacked for warm, dry clothing for the
wanderers. Drawers long closed yield
ed, when opened, Is sweet scent of laven-
der, and containing homely skirts and
bodices, kept still in loving memory of
little Nell, gave up their treasures for
Lily's benefit, and Richard Trays snow.
sodden clothes were replacedby MichaePs
choicest coat and softest slippers. The
wanderers had done full Justice to a
plentiful meal, and a jug of fragrant
punch now steamed upon the hob and
was laid under frequent contributions,
while Richard Fray told the story of
thirty years wandering, and the broth
ers found how it had come to pass that,
each thinking the other dead, they had
lived their lives, and married, and buried
their dear ones, being sometimes but a
few miles apart, and yet as distant as
though severed by the grim Divider
himself. And Lily sat on a cushion at
her fathers feet, a picture of quiet hap
piness, and sang sweet songs to please
the two old men, while Michael lovingly
traced in her soft features fanciful like
nesses to his lost Nelly, the strange SINH
larity OF the sweet voice aiding the ten
der illusion. And surely no happier
family was gathered together in all Eng
land, on that Christmastide, than that
little group round Michael Trays quiet
fireside.
swell, grandfather, DEAR" said Lily.
after a pause, "won't you believe in
miracles now?"
my darling" said the old man, with
his voice broken with emotion, "God
forgive me for having ever doubted
Him."