Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-18
never been very strong. She did not feel
well but how could she, with William

never been very strong. She did not feel
well but how could she. with William
away?
The year had passed. The ship was
coming home. With glass the captain
could see the shores. Once William ber
ged That he might look through it.
My wife is there, captain" he said,
and I'm anxious about her"
But what did the shore line tell him?
Nothing.
The seabirds flying about the vessel
were not the kind of birds that whisper
news.
lie hoped-as men will hope and believe
that he would find the woman he had
lett as he had left her-the light of life in
tue sweet eyes, the heart beating as living
hearts beat-Katie just as she was year
before.
How good he would be to her; he would
never. give her heart pang again.
AS he stepped ashore, with his wages in
his pocket he could hardly walk fast
enough, he was so anxious to reach her.
", had he but the wings TO fly to her.
The sun was setting, the sky was dull
and gray, us it had been that evening
when he had kissed her and promised to
be back soon.
Wei, 1t was over-it was all right now.
lie strobe out of the town and through
the village. He passed the inn with u shud-
der. lie turned into the long country road,
dotted here and there with farm houses
and barns-a low lying country, flat and
unlnteresting as a landscape.
There was neither moon nor star; but he
knew his way well, and at last, Just where
he knew his home stood, he saw q blur of
yellow light Nearer and nearer to it. as
he now began to run, he saw q candle-a
candle set in his own window. Katies
hand had set it there, and indeed it had,
All day long Katie had been very weak
and i'll. She could not sew as she usually
did.
A ncighbor hal dropped in with a gift
OF some delicacy, and she tried in vain to
eat it, but her appetite was gone.
On the hearth she had kindled little
fire, and, when night fell she had lit u can
die, and wondering at her own weakness
for she had staggered as she crossed the
room-had set it in the window.
If he should come to-night,n she
whispered to herself, " he would be so
glad to see it,"
Then the remembrance of the many
nights that she had spent in Watching for
him came to her.
81 shall never see you again, William"
she said, " "never" and she began to weep
the tears rolling heavily down from her
eyes and down her cheeks.
She did not wipe them away.
Her cheek dropped against the window
pane nearest TO her. She had not loosened !
her hold Of the candle-stick yet, and her
arm rested on the sill.
After IL while she gave one long, shud- |
dering sigh, and did not move again.
1t was at that moment that her husband,
certain that the blurred yellow light was
that of u candle his wife had set in the
window to guide him home.
lie came on towards it faster and faster
yet. He saw not only the candle, but the
hand that held it-Kates own.
He saw her face lying against the pane
the sleeve of her worn gown, through |
which the arm shaped itself SO sharply.
Katie" he cried, with joy, with hope,
with love that seemed newborn, for his
love for his wife had at least never been
sullied by any thonght of another woman,
Katie! Katie, darling! I'm here. I've
come home, Katic!m
She did not stir. His voice brou ght no
answer. lie shook the door.
Katie!"
Still no reply.
He pressed his face against the pane.
How still she was, how wan, how pale!
"She is asleep, he cried; but | can
not waltz
And he set his strong shoulder against
the door and burst it open.
He rushed into the little kitchen, the
red freight flashing in his glad eyes as he
crossed it.
Katie. wake up" he cried. "Katie,
it's your William come back TO you.
But Katie would never awaken again.
Katie would never know that all her
watching, waiting and praying had not
been in vain. She was dead.
Her light had gone out forever, though
the light in the window burned brightly
for her husband.