Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-11-20

and raisins were upon the long table.
Everything betokened unusual festivi.
ties.
" A .party?" he said, nodding toward
the front part of the house.
Thanksgiving day!" was the senten-
tious reply
"Ah! so it is. had forgotten it. 1t
is a day not down in my almanac"
The girl stopped as if to say some
thing, but changed her mind and went
on with her work.
A door opened and little fairy of
girl perhaps six yesrs old, came into the
room. She stood with her hands behind
her, and watched the oman" eat. His
plate was nearly empty. He felt like
one intoxicated.
" Were you ever hungry, little one?"
he asked of the miss, scraping the last
crumbs OF his plate.
Lous of times; but never 30 hun
cry as you. And | don't eat in the
kitchen"
"Nor |, either, always; but l like it"
said the lieutenant, rubbing bis mouth
on the back of his hand in lieu Of nap.
kin. "In fact, it's fine"
"Don't yes talk too much now, Miss
Laura" ordered Bridget, kneeling to
haste the turkey. The small girl shrug
ged Ter shoulders and pouted.
you really tramp" asks Laura,
coming little nearer,
GA first class one," says the heuten-
ant. "Lcok at my boots" and he bal
anced his feet on his heels.
"They's real funny. Thsy's laugh
ing" said the child, stopping over to
study the chasms in the toes.
Don't your papa wear such boots?"
inquired the man.
" amt got no papa" the girl re-
{" Nor l." laughed the tramp; but the
child was very sober.
"My names Laura, what's your
name?' she asked moment later.
"My name?" said the lieutenant, his
face becoming very grave. "My name :?
l haven't any. / lost it long ago"
Odd anybody find it?" was the ques-
ton sagely p~opounded. She stood close
to him now, one hand on his knee, and
wistfully looking up into his face. A
he saw in it overcame him,
and he bowed his head in his hands.
Don't be imperentW said Bridget.
" Lave the man alone! l think you'd
better be going, sir"
The lieutenant raised his head.
al think SO, too" He looked again
into the child's face--ntooped down and
kissed her.
"My hail" he demanded sharply, as
he turned away.
1t was near the dining room door,
where Bridget's dress had swept it. He
stopped to pick it up. AT the same in
slant the door opened and handsome
woman, richly dressed and not more
than thirty years of sge, stood in the
doorway. AS he rose his face looked
into her. His hat dropped from his
hand and he staggered back.
go Coil" he cried. "lt is Mariau,"
A quick cry of surprise and joy came
from the lips Of the woman. She placed
her han Is on bis shoulders and gazed
lovingly and mutely into his face. The
mans head slowly dropped,
Husband, look at mel" she cried,
catching his hands in hers.
81 cannot, | dare not. See what ]
am. Remember what / was-to you,"
he said.
"Always my husband, James, and
always forgiven"
"Always your husbsnd?" standing
erect and with wild vigor in his atti-
tude. Marian, heard that the law
had freed you from me, because struck
you when / was drunk, and in my shame
deserted you when was sober"
at was al false. l have waited for
you FOR five long years. / knew you
would come back some day. Now you
are here. Poor, poor husbandl How
you must have suffered Come with
mel Laura, child, comel The back
way is clear"
Still he hung back. "I am not fit, !"
he said. II am forever disgEaced. Let
me 60 away and come back again some
time when am no longer tramp"
"James this is Thanksgiving day.
1t is our day, if snybody's, You must
come. You are 10 longer tramp,
thank Godl Come! 1t is home again
for ali of u.s." aud putting her arrs
around her husband she led him out of
the room aud out of his bondage.
An hour later the tramp sat at his
wife's table as gentleman, dressed in
black clothes, his hair trimmed, his
beard cut in civilized shape. The trsus-
formation was complete. To his wife,
her father, her brother and her brothers
wife, he told, after grace, the story of
his sell imposed exile, of the shame and
remorsa which had followed him for
yesrs, of the strange faith which had
hrnnnht him hank III 1t nipht to the