The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-04-14

I ner nuSDand nome was Que. her last Lask
was finished, when she dished up his favorite
yiands and set them, covered over with q
basin, upon the hearth to keep warm.
She leaned from the window, looking out,
through wind and rain, for some sign of his
Homecoming She wore the dress he liked
the best. Her hair was arranged in his
favorite fashion of braid and curls. She
had kissed him coldly as he left her, but now,
with her heart upon her lip, she waited to
welcome him back, even if he returned as
unsuccessful as he went. What did that
matter, she thought. as she glanced at the
window of her opposite neighbor, who had
been left widow only one short month ago.
''Only let him return to me safely and
will make him amends for ALL" she half
thought, half prayed, as memory recalled
the countless times in which she had grieved
him during the past half year.
Nine o'clock came and passed. yet she did
not hear the usual whistle of the incoming
train. Half past nine and yet no footstep on
the stairs.
Her heart lay like a leaden weight in her
bosom. The color faded from her lips and
cheeKs, and her blue eyes grew wild with silent
dread. At 10 o'clock she could bear the sus.
pense no longer. She left her room and ran
down the stairs, with half formed purpose
in her mind of inquiring at the neighboring
station about the laggard train.
Dimly in the darkness she saw a crowd of
people gathered at the outer door of the ten
ement house. They were all talking con
fusedly, but now and then some word broke
plainly through the medley of sound
"His poor wife," said one chow is she
going to bear it l wonder? 1t is well
that she has no little ones to look
aft no IL
anyway"
"Make way there" said some one outside
I'VE must carry the body upstairs. Which
room is it2 And some woman ought TO go
up before us and tell the wife"
The crowd surged and parted Between
the ranks six men came steadily onward, fol-
lowing policeman. Helen knew him well,
and when he looked up the staircase and
saw the slight figure bending forward, and
the pale face full of fixed and settled horror,
he turned again 10 the crowd and called
out:
Zone Of you women come up here to
break the news; and take her away" he
added in lower voice: at is no sight for
her."
Good-natured Bridget Mccarthy came
forward and ran up stairs to where Helen
stood.
you'll come bsckin your room wild me,
my darlin'," she said, putting her strong
arms around Helen's slender waist. ''Sure
it'll destroy you entirely to look at the like
of that"
Bridget, is he dead2'' asked the pale
lips pitilully.
"Sorry l am to say that he is. 1t was the
train, my lear. OFF the track they say, and
10 strong men killed outright beside him
that they are bringing up from below"
Helen fell senseless at the Irish womAn's
feet.
Half an hour later she struggled slowly
back to life and loneliness again. She opened
her eyes to find herself lying on her own bed
with the kind old doctor of the neighbor-
hood bending over her with rather an anx-
ious face.
"We shall do nicely now" he said, making
a warning gesture to some one in the back
ground.
Helen gave great sigh as he toob her
hand.
'Oh why did you bring me back, dsctor2
l have driven my husband away to his death,
and | hoped l could die, too. / blamed him
because we were so poor, doctor. and l would
scarcely kiss him when he went away this
morning to look for another place. Oh, |
have been so cruel to him. And now Just
when was sorry for it, and when ] had re-
solved to be better wife, God has taken him
away from me, and he will never know how
bitterly repented."
"How do you know that he is dead, my
dear7 asked the doctor.
"Oh / saw them bring him up the stains.
And heard them talking about me-"
Not about you, my dear, but about poor
little Mrs. Gray, who lives in the room at
the back. Her husband was badly hurt on
the train when it ran offthe track this even
ing. We thought he was dead at first. But
since then he has revived, and feel sure
that, by Gods mercy, he will recover before
long"
but where is my husband, them" cried
Helen, starting up.
''God has been very good to you, too, my
dear" said the old physician.
'Is he alive? Where is he7 Oh, tell me-"
her very gesture struggling between hope
and fear.
"Here"
The doctor stepped back. From dark
corner of the room a tall figure rushed for
ward and clasped the wondering, weeping
wife in q close embrace.
ais it your oh, is it really your" she ex-
claimed, bursting into tears 'Oh, dear
Charles, have been 80 miserable since you
went away. How could 1 treat you so7
You never, never can forgive or love me
again"
"As if could help loving you as long as
live, Helen. And you shall be so happy
after this. 1 have found good place, l
shall have good salary, and, tomorrow, if
you are well enough, we will take a trip into
the country where we will find some pretty
cottage where you can amuse yourself all
through this beautiful summer among the
| flowers and BIRDS"
II don't want cottage. 1 want nothing
but you, Charles, and now God has given
you back to me, that will be enough to make
me happy" said mis- wife, giving him the
tender kiss which she had refused him that
morning.
Nevertheless the cottage was taken, and
the summer was as happy time as mortals
may ever hope to enjoy this side of Para
disc
Once, on their journey thither, after a