Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-10-31

1 nOC I6CdI Nll6IS she ndU ever seen MIN.
His hair was long and uncombed, and
his thick-matted beard hung halfway
down to his waist.
Before night the young wife learned
from a neighbor, that Al Houghton
had returned home on parole, having
spent fifteen months in Libby
Prison. The last time she had parted
with Al, he had left her in a spirit of
anger. Would he now come to see her =?
She was dying with impotence to see
HIM from the moment she had heard of
his arrival.
She desired, yet dreaded to question
him. She wanted to know all that he
knew; and yet she shuddered at the
thought of such knowledge, should it
destroy the very faint hope which she
still cherished, as though reluctant to
abandon its last lingering ray, admit
ting there was no longer any ground for
it.
1t was whispered that Al was quite
reduced from sickness, but not to that
extent which would require absolute
confinement to the house. And so
she hoped he would soon call upon her;
and if Tom had actually been taken
prisoner with him, as Fred Ashton had
surmised, she would soon learn all.
The next morning she received a note
from Al, stating that he would call
upon her on the following day. Oh,
how heavily the hours dragged in her
feverish anxiety for this interview
this meeting with one who might know
all which had SO long been hidden from
her.
At the expiration of the time speci-
fed III his note Of the proceeding day,
Albert Houghton-pale and somewhat
emaciated, though not looking half as
bad as might be expected after fifteen
months of imprisonment-cal upon
Mrs. Sterling, with face as long and
sOmber as a hired mOurner's at a fun
eral. 1t served all the purposes of an
advertisement Of bad news, and Susan
read it SO at first glance. His solemn
look drove back the question that would
nave first arisen to her tongue after the
somewhat formal greetings were over;
and the poor wife turned deadly pale
IN anticipation Of the something yet to
come He hemmed two or three times
and coughed as though irresolute in his
.
Tell me all, don't keep me in sus
pense!' groaned the poor wife, sinking
In a chair, very white and faint. "You
are killing me ty your looks! know
that you know ne is dead, and why
don't you say so at once, if you feel the
slightest degree of pity for me?"
Thus driven hors du combat I have
no other alternative" said Al, in a tone
Of the deepest seeming commiseration.
81 know the news [ bring will wiring
your poor heart to bursting; but it is
my painful duty to inform you, though
in such case [ would like to suppress
the truth; and pray you will forgive
all the anguish l unwittingly cause you.
Heavens knows [ would save you the
pain if [ could, if it took the last drop
of my hearts blood!' and the returned
prisoner laid his hand impressively
upon that susceptible organ.
eco on! go on! [ pray you'll" moaned
the young wife, with white lips. "Did
lie suffer much? Did you see him when
ne died? Tell me everything. [ can
bear it now-all-eyerything"
"Alas! [ saw him when he died, and
ne sent his love to you, and said you
must lot worry yourself with vain re-
grets for him, fsr he is now better off
than he could be starving in prison.
Tom and were true friends at last, and
before he died he told me, if [ lived to
return, that nothing would give him
greater pleasure than to know that you
would be willing to accept me in his
place, and allow me legal right to
protect and care for you as he would
have done had he been spared to you.
| have ample means at my disposal to
carry out his every wish in this particu-
lar. But I will refrain from saying
more on that subject at this time, for [
know it pains you. Another time will
do as well-when you are more calm,
and the first shock of grief at his loss is
over"
Susan groaned audibly, but during
ed she spoke not a word, and scarcely
noticed his departure.
From that time Albert Houghton be-
came a constant and daily visitor, and
on each successive visit he pressed his
suit with more and more assiduity, till
at length, through the united influence
of his own pleadings and her mothers
persuasions, she yielded passive as
sent; but there was no soul, no heart.
no feeling in her compliance. She mere
| ly yielded her acquiescence to rid her
| self OF the constant opportunities that
beset her on every hand, and obtain
quiet peace.
Three years had already passed since
! hod rf ri I,
to mingle in the ranks of war. Rich
mOnd had fallen, and the war was vir-
tually concluded. Also the day had
been set apart, on the evening of which
Al Houghton and Susan Sterling were
to be married, and the afternoon of said
day had already arrived Susan, &C
cording to her old custom, was gazing
across the way, watching the train
which had just Numbered up. A sol
der, bearded as pard, leaped hurried
ly from the platform, and crossed over
the way. Susan uttered a piercing
scream as the roUgh-lookiDg soldier
drew nearer, and rushing to the door,
| she frdntlcally threw herself into his
arms, and tainted.
| 1t was Tom Sterling come back to
life after two years and half in Flor
! ence and AndersOnyille. He had not
seen Al since the battle in which he was
taken. 1t is needless to mention the
chagrln and disappointment of that
worthy.
New Suspension Bridge at Niagara.
| Niagara Falls Gazette.
/ Mr. RnDio min, pboJoc