Daily globe., 1878-02-24

whoever the man be, should have a gen
erous heart"
"Hush, grandfather" said the girl, "he
is beginning TO play again"
Scarcely had the music commenced,
however, than the pair gazed at each other
IN breathless surprise.
"Lily, darling, do you hear wha he IS
playing?n said the old man in an excited
whisper.
ga strange coincidence" the girl re-
piled.
Strange! It is more than strange.
Lily, darling, who could play that
song?'
The melody came to an end, and all
was silence. There was moments pause,
and then, as if by common impulse, the
old man drew his bow. across the strings,
and the girls sweet voice carolled forth
the second verse of the song. Scarce
ly had they ended, when a door
| opened at the foot of the church
tower just beside them, and Michael Fray
| bareheaded, with his scanty locks blown
about by the winter wind, stood before
them.
He hurried forward and then stood
still, stamed-taced, bewildered. The
song had called up the vision Of a gal
liant 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 hurried for
getting the years that had passed, full Of
tender memories Of happy boyish days,
to find, alas! only couple OF wandering
beggars, singing for bread.
81 beg your pardon" he said, striving
vainly to master his emotions; you sang
song just now which was favorite Of a
dear friend of mine many years ago.
Will you-wiil you tell me where you
got it?''
"By the best of all titles, SIR the old
fiddler answered, drawing himself up
with touch Of artistic pride; {" wrote it
myself, words and music both'
NAY, sir,' said Michael sternly, g 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?n
| Gan honest name, name I am proud
to speak," said Michael, firing up in his
turn: 'shis name was Richard Fray!'
'What!" he exclaimed, peering eager
| ly into the others face: ''then you are my
brother Michael, for | am Richard
Fray!'
Half an hour later and the brothers so
long parted, SO strangely brought to. geth-
er, were seated round a roaring fire in
Michael Fray's quaint, three-cornered
parlor. Alichael's store had been ran
sacked for warm, dry clothing for the
wanderers. Drawers long closed yielded
when opened, a sweet scent of lavender,
and containing homely skirts and bod
ices, kept still in loving memory Of little
Nell, gave up their treasures for Lily's
benefit, and Richard Fray's snow -sodden
clothes were replaced by Michaers
choicest coat and softest slippers.
The wanderers had done full justice to
a plentiful meal, and 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 brothers
1Ound now 1t had come 10 pass Cnat eacn
thinking the other dead, they had lived
theirlives, and unmarried, 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, picture OF quiet happiness, and
sang sweet songs to please the two old
men, while Michael lovingly traced in
her soft features fanciful likenesses to his
lost Nelly, the strange similarity Of the
sweet voice aiding the tender illusion.
And surely no happier family was gath
cred together in all England, on that
Christmastide, than that little group
round Michael Fray's quiet ireside.
"Well, grandfather, dear, said Lilly, af
ter pause, won't you believe in miracles
now?"
"My darling" said the old man, with
his voice broken with emotion, God for
give me fol having ever doubted Him."