Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-06-25

for her-oh, pitied her-his wife and
But had my task now-to conquer the
miserable love in my own heart, to tear
away, one by one, the sweet dreams | had
cherished of the time | would break down
the barrier that separated up, and win from
Ralph the assurance of his love. l would
not cross the grave to my own happiness,
and what but death could free himi
would not love him, but oh, how my
heart ached for his misery. If only he
could be my brother, that | might assure
him of my sympathy, comfort him, give
him some wOmanly care in his desolated
home. | would wake sobbing from dreams
of his pain | stole often TO the hedge in
the garden and watched how he grew paler
and sadder, and my prayers for him were
more earnest than they had ever been for
myself
Ii was after the New Years festivities,
and had shaken hands with Ralph at my
reception, and smiled into his haggard face
with what | felt was a very wintry imita
tion of joyous greeting. l had crept away
to weep after all my guests were gone, and
Mrs. Latimer had told melt was all
quite perfect, my dear; but you look pale
and tired lou had better sleep late to-
morrow.
And | had tossed sleeplessly till dawn.
\ bright winter dawn, with the sun beating
on the hard, frozen ground, and not a
breath of wind stirring. j was up early
and out The room seemed to stifle me.
II stole down stairs, before even the ser
wants were out of their rooms, and wrap
/ fling myself in heavy cloak, and with Il
ileecy white scarf about my head, | went
to walk. Perhaps this feverish unrest
would be quieted in the crisp winter air.
struck into grove of trees that stood
on my own grounds, and was pacing slow
/ " forward, when | heard stealthy step
beside me, and turning quickly, saw wo-
man keeping near me, watching me.
! NV very heart seemed to cease its pulsa
tions. for she was richly dressed in loose,
flowing garment of silk, quilted and warm,
but bare headed, and with only thin slip
pers on her slender feet. Her eyes, rest
less and wild, told of mental wandering,
and her hair heavily streaked with gray,
her wrinkled cheeks and bent figure seemed
to tell an eloquent story of premature age
and suffering. Every detail confirmed me
in my recognition of Mrs. Dalton.
"Hush, she said, coming close to me.
.sIf YOU make noise they will find me
and shut me up. And | cannot go to Ralph
if | am shut up. Day and night he calls
me to come TO him, and the doors are barred
50 that | cannot 20"
| put my hand upon hei arm, saying
gently:
but if YOU 90 home Ralph is there.
mo, he went away long ago-so very
long. They told me he was dead, she
whispered. Ibid YOU hear he was dead
NO, he is not dead, D" l answered.
.'Why does he not come, thenl'
heard, still far off. step knew well
perhaps he will come sOou, | said.
'.Shall we wait here for him p
The step came nearer, then turned into
another path.
docs he know we are here! she
asked, with wistful, pleading eyes.
Suppose YOU call, " answered.
In a moment she obeyed me.
"Ralph, dear Ralph, am here.n she
cried.
Quickly the steps followed the voice, and
Ralph Dalton came towards us
But the woman clung to me, sobbing
lout:
s.He will shut me up."
Then Ralph spoke, gently, tenderly:
'.Mother. YOU will be i'll again. Come
home with me.
Mother, His motherl could not help it.
Ny heart gave such glad bound, my lips
would follow its dictates.
"Oh, Ralph, is this your motherf"
cried
YES" he answered gravcly, 'my wi
dowed mother, who searches in vain for
her husband, dead ten years age"
He is not dtead.'' Mrs. Dalton cried.
"How could he call me if he was dead
You told me he was not dead, she said,
looking at me.
81 thought she meant you," | answered
to Ralphs questioning eyes, ''when she
said Ralph"
"I was named for my father" he ans
wered.
"COme, mother, come with me.
But she clung to me, and | whispered:
LEAD the way; we will follow you,
and so, supporting his mother, now feeble
with fatigue, | entered Ralph's house fol-
the first time.
Past the rooms where he lived, cherries
and cold, we went up to a floor luxurious.
" furnished, where two women were al
ready pouring ont apologies for their neg
lect of their charge.
Ralph, with few stern words, left them,
and remained with his mother until she
slept, worn out with wandering for hours,
as we ascertained later.
Then went down stairs to the library.
Ralph was there; and upon his face wa
the light of some new resolve. | shor
phrases, full of deep earnestness, he tolc
me at last of his love.
"My father was fatally hurt, my mothel
injured, as you see, by a railway accident,
he said: "but before he died my fathel
exacted from me promise to care for my
mother myself He died several days aftel
receiving the wounds that caused his death
and in that time he knew that my mother
reason was gone for life. To-day she i
quite, tomorrow she may be violent, raw
inc, sight of horror. Could | ask an,
woman loved to share my life, my care Z
"Yes," answered frankly; ''for if sh'
loved you, il would be her happiness t
give comfort, to tighten this burden o
+ pain.
He saw that was in earnest, that it wa
no girlish enthusiasm, but womans de
+, votion | offered him, and clasped me b.
the hand.
"Can you bear it! q he asked
Lowing you, | can, i answered.
But, after all, it was not required OF me
Mrs. Dalton took heavy cold from tina
night of exposure and wandering, and II
less than a month from that January morn
ling. her life-seeking was over and she ha'
! : gone to find her "Ralph" in brighte
world.
, But my Ralph has been my husband 10
five long years, and his face has lost II
careworn gravity, his voice its monotone
pain. and Wolfston is home of peace an
happiness, where there is no sorrow, N
painful mystery.
About a Crow.
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