Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-06-13

shc mad been detained in the village, I'M
consciously, till it was nearly dark, and
she determined to hazard the nearest roaJ
home. 1t would be fully dark when she
would pass his house, and the chances
were that he would not sec her. She
wouldn't have him see her for the world
| When she arrived opposite the house,
she perceived that there was O light in
tho little sitting room. Her first i'm
pulse to hurry By, but some more power
iolsinluence prompted her to stop. She
did SO, and stood timidly at the farther
sido Of the road, gazing longingly at the
house that had been home for her
first Of happiness. then Of misery. BY
land BY. aka $ It an irreei4f; 1la sa.sss,: e.
to look at tho room once more. He was
evidently within, and there was no dan
ger that ho would see her, SO she walked
hurricdly across the road, opened the
gate softly, and stopped into the lawn.
Another moment, aud she was at tho
window, looking in. What singular
behavior but she could not help it.
The little room was rs neat as when
she herself had watched over it. A
cheerful lire was burning in the CRATE,
although it was nos very cold, and
lighted lamp stood on the table twas
there that Harry was sitting. How her
heart bounded as she caught sight of
him He held in his right hand book.
from his scanty library.
She recognized it at once but he was
not reading now. lie had allowed it to
drop, with its pages looking mutcly to
the ceiling-and his face was supported,
half concealed, in the left hand, the ell
bow resting on the table. Was no
asleep or was be buried in sad revcrie2
hottie thought that the latter was tho
case, and her heart was touched.
81 wish had borne with him." she
said to herself.
But moment later her heart was
more than touched, when she was sure
she saw Il tear roll down his check, and
dropped upon the book. The lonely man
was not asleep he was crying.
She could not help it. All that was
womanly in her heart was aroused, and
she was at the door in moment. No
ceremony-she burst into the sitting
room and was at his side.
"Oh, Harry"
Her voice quivored with emotion.
why, Nettie !" he exclaimed, trying
to hide his tears-men are ashamed Of
them-"Is--it your"
Eyes, Harry" hiding her face in her
hands. IL was passing--I looked in
| saw you sitting here so lonely, and
could not help coming in. l thought Of
the time whom We were happy hero"
Then her womanly tears could be re-
pressed no longer. There was no uso
trying to hide them. Besides, her voice
broke down and she could say no moro
just then.
"Nettie !" he arose and took both her
hands from her face and held them in his
own. 81 thought you had blottcd me
out Of your memory"
mo, no, Harryr' sho sobbed. II
could not do that. | could not help leav-
ing you but left you, loving you more
than ever. Oh, | have been unhappy
since p
"Ncttic, you have heard that l."
eyes, ! have heard that you arc
changed--that you do not drink any
morc--tLat you are again manly and in
dustrious as you used to be but how
lonely you must be here ?" and the tears
gushed forth anew as her heart felt what
her lips spoke.
ayes, am lonely, Nettic, moro 50
than you think but I deserve this pun
ishmcnt for the way have acted. | had
no discouragoment, | had nothing to
make me do 80. It was only passion
for drink that it seemed impossible for
me 10 overcome. You were all wife
should be or could be. When you left
me / thought should become more rcck-
less than ever. Only day or two after
| knew you had left mo for good, | was
in town, drunk, and heard some of tho
yillagc peopie--they did not think [
could hear them across the street pass
ing all sorts Of remarks about me, say
ing that ! was doomed man for certain,
my destruction was near. Although in
toxlcatod it startled inc, and for tho first
time felt the full force of our separa-
ton, aud realized that ruin stared INC in
the face. had bottle Of whisky in
my picket at the time, and when | got
out Of town | smashed it, bathel my face
10 little clear stream Of water ut tho
roadside, and silently resolved never to
touch whisky again. had tried it along
enough TO know that could not drink
and be temperate. IL was hard TO keep
my resolve for the first week or two:
but | stood it, and soon my tasto for
drink disappeared caro- nothing for
il now, and would not touch IL if it ran.
in streams. Now, Nottio, if you love
inc as overland God knows that love
you the same--lct US get married over
again, and the bitter experience Of tho
last two years will only enhance our
happiness. Nettie, dear, what do you
say?
Harry" she finally sobbcd in a self
rcproachfal way, II might have borne
with you longer"
"No, no, Nettie. il was best. IL has
brought US certain happiness now. God
bless you for coming Into my lonely
home this evening""
His arms were around her neck, and
be kissed her forehead.
The moon was rising and it had mover
looked 80 happy as it did while he walked
home with Nettie tO her fathers.