The Russellville Democrat., 1880-05-27


 csaied. The conjectures of the tw, above were interrupted by glad yelp and strange, quick barks of deligh from the dog, who had found his old ant much loved master, and now leaped up on him and licked his face in an ecstac, of delight. It must all come out now he realized. He threw his arms around the faithful creature and great sob shook his frame. If she were only ai free to welcome him as that dumb ani. nal! ns
 The company on the balcony were puzzled when they found that the dog was making strong expressions of ap proval over whatever he had found The gentlemen left and went to seek a servant and lantern to investigate. The next moment another lady stepped through one of the windows upon the balcony. M
 "What is the matter with Cobyi" she asked in a voice saddene3, soft and sweet, which as it fell upon the ears oi Ryan made his pulses bound with a strange, new, thrilling hope. 2
 Why, Florine, thought you had re- 1 tired some time ago." said the other. '.Coby has found somebody or something that seems to please him, and Lawrence has gone for a light to see what it can | be-"
 q feel strangely tonight" said the other. q cannot keep my thoughts off of Ryan. You know 1 can never make myself believe he is dead; but if he is, l think he hovers near me in spirit to- night" F f}e 4e
 Ryan heard the words with bated breath. He had made great mistake. He felt a sudden joyous reaction from the misery which had been lowing him to the earth. He did not wait moment longer, but stood forth from his conceal ment, the dog still Awning upon him. II am here," he said, mot in spirit only, but in bodily shape. have come back to you, my wife,"
 For one moment her heart stood still, but she did not shriek or faint at the sound of the dear, well-remembered voice. He had lived so continuallylin her thoughts that she had not seemed to be separated from him. "Ryanw was her single exclamation, in tone of rap turous delight, and stepping through the window she flew down stairs, through the front door, and along the dewy lawn to meet him. e0.s4 Rfs 4u1 uei3ns.
 With outstretched armshe clasped her to his heart. ~.~ss -.'f =.
 You are not dead to me. always thought you would come back" she said in voice trembling with joy. But why did you not come to me at once? Why did you wait for Coby to find you?"x .I ts s-aF.8 ,I,.,4... n
 Before he could answer Lawrence came along, followed by John with a lantern; also Florine's sister, whom he had mistaken for her. And there were eager confused exclamatioDs, and John, faithful old servant, shed tears of joy, while Coby seemed in danger of dislo- eating his limbs in his mad efforts to ex- press his pleasure. tf8E Tt t&'
 Then all went inside, and while the bouss was being illuminated from base ment to attic, and the other inmates were being appraised of the joyful event, Florine led her husband upstairs to her chamber. There, in one corner, with one hand thrown out over the white coverlet, lay beautiful boy, in the deep sleep of health and innocence. "Our child, dear husband" she whispered, and the strong man knelt by the bed, his wife beside him, and sent up to heaven heartfelt thanksgiving for the cup of happiness which was now full to oyerhowing. .r-.t, ......-
 Wake up dear, papa's come home. You know I told you that he would come some day" the mother said.
 The child opened his eyes slowly, and fixed them upon the face bent over him.
 Are you my papa?" he asked; and for answer the father caught his child close to his heart and kissed him hungrily.
 Down stairs supper was being pre- pared, and Mary, the cook, another old servant, wiping away the tears of joy on her apron from time to time. And bye and bye they all gathered together in the parlor, and Ryan told his story of the past years, and also the misery he had suffered that night in thinking that another had taken his place.
 "It was no wonder that you mistook Josephine for me in the darkness" said Florine, as she sat with her hands clasp ed in those of her husband. "Our voices and figures are exactly alike. No one pretends to know us apart until they | look into our faces, which you see are quite unlike. She has been widow in reality, while l never considered n.y. self as such. used to dream of seemg you nearly every night. I could not think you dead" f4m pH..a.i | 1t never occurred to me that you had sister. l was not in state of mind to reason. What terrible step I was on the border of takingl' he said with a shudder. "I was going to steal away again and leave you, as supposed, with your new-found happiness. You are the one, dear old Coby," batting the cold nose of the dog as he lay on his knee, ''that deserves all the credit of fighting | the matter"
 Josephine and her husband, neither of whom Ryan had ever seen, were on a visit to Florine. Hence the mistake that might have ended so sadly.
 Afterward Ryan happened to find out who the lady was he had heard of in the car. q was so full of gloomy forebod- ings," he said in speaking of it, ''that every trifle was confirmation of my fears" r.....
 And in the sunny atmosphere of Flor. ines love, and that of his boy, Ryan is growing oung again. The past is fad. ing gradually, so that it seems now like some shadowy dream, "Sorrow may endure for night, but joy comes in the morning" ..-. .....t
 THE following is true and somewhat curious instance of absent mindedness "Two students having called on theil girls the night before, were seated few minutes later breakfast One wa. silently preparing pancake. After spreading it with butter, he began salt in,,, the same, and next slowly pepperee 1t, all unconscious of tle bewilderef