The Osceola times., 1880-07-31
HIS ONE DARK Hot r.


often at little way stations to deposit
messengers, that il had no chance to get
IN more thas medium rate Of speed.
One car contained now only three oc-
cupants, two gentlemen who were con
veIsing together in quite loud tones,
and another, who sat in a corner of the
car. with his hat down over his fore
head. His hair was iron gray, and there
was something peculiarly suggestive
about him. Every now and then he
would start up and glance through the
window at the objects still discernable
in the twilight lie did not seem to he
having much attention to the remarks
of the other occupants, until this frag-
mcnt struck his ear:
"Yes, she was married last week
made brilliant match they say"
GLOW long has she been a widow
about five years. Her husband was
one of the passengers in the ill-fated
"Sarnia."
"Sad affair. that, wasn't it?" remarked
the other. al had a nephew on 1t. His
mother never got over the loss, died OF
broken heart" =.
At the word "Sarnia," the man started
violently, and there was strangepained
look upon his face. He was evidently
affected strangely, but his back was to-
wards the others, and they took no no.
ticc of him.
The train halted again, and the con-
ductor called out "Mapleside." Then
the gentleman arose, and grasping a
small valisc. walked out with unsteady
steps hall leaning on the seats for sup
port, as he passed along lie had a
strongly-made frame, which was how
ever, considerably stopped, and now
that he had pushed up his hat, one
could see that his face had n history
written upon it, painful one. evidently.
The other two got off also, and the
train pulled on again. The two in com
pany moved of briskly in the direction
of the village, as though they expected
home welcome. The solitary one
stood few moments on the platform
looking around, as if he were q stranger
there, and then struck into quiet street
that led over a hill. On one side was
grove of tall trees, distiliing their balsa-
mic ouors upon the night, on the other
were several handsome suburban resi-
dences at intervals, standing in the
midst of well-kcpt grounds, and suggest
ing home comfort and happiness. The
gentleman was Ryan Phelps, returning
TO his home after having been mourned
as dead, for five years by his friends.
He had been a passenger on board the
"Sarnia," and on the terrible night when
she went down, he had clung to a piece
of the wreck with wonderful power of
endurance, and had been washed ashore
upon an island. One, only, the first
mate, had been providcntially picked
up by homeward bound ship, ana he
had brought the intelligence that not
one but himself had survived. But
Ryan Phelps had lived on the island for
nearly five years keeping lite within
him by the substance it afforded, and
watching day by day, Enoch Arden like.
for friendly sail. But though he sig
nailed many, none answered the lonely
exile, until the sickness born of hope de-
ferred, and lonliess, and longings for the
dear ones left at home, seemed to be
surely sapping the strong vigorous life
that had buoyed him up when he had
embarked on the voyage. But at last
his waiting was rewarded, his signal was
answered from friendly homcward
bound ship which took him on board,
and in a few weeks he once more set his
foot upon his native shores. He lost no
time, but having made himself, with the
aid of barber and tailor once more pre-
sentable in civilized life, he sought his
home. lie had left behind Young and
beautiful wife, the bride of one short
happy year, hoping for speedy return
as soon as the business that had called
him to Europe was transacted. And
now he was returning 10 her with a
thousand fears, and dark forbodings
chasing each other through his mind.
She had believed him dead, had she
formed new ties? And the fears that
had haunted him. had been confirmed
in n measure by the scrap of converse
| tion he had heard in the car IL might
not be her 10 whom they referred.
| There had been more than score of
widows left by that disaster, but they
had stopped at Maplcsidc, and he did
not know of any one but himself who
had gone from there. Nevertheless he
pushed his way onward with dogccd
determination TO know the worst. He
| had not encountered any one he knew
since his return, and he had shrunk
! from making himself known or asking
questions. As he walked along the IA
miliar scenes began TO grow upon him.
| There had been little change evidently
since he had lcf,. Mapleside had always
been sort of "Slccpv Hollow" and the
onward march OF progress had seemed
| 10 affect il little. The principal inbabi-
tants were rather exclusive and aristo-
cratic, and had no desire to have its
sacred precincts invaded. II they wanted
excitement, they could steam into the
| city in twenty-five minutes, and mingle
in It. His eyes wandered around hun
grily, resting upon each familiar object
as seen in the clear light of the stars,
those ever constant silent sentinels
which he had watched night after night
as they came out above his lonely island,
reminding him of the dear home which
he might never see again, which he had
little hope of seeing. There was the
maple grove on the hillside; the lake
living calm and placid in its setting of al
ders rejecting now, the sweet sanity
night: the gently flowing river issuing
from it, and meandering peacefully along
the base of the hill, with lulling muir
muring sound. The night air was laden
with freshly distilled odors, and the
dreamy hum of crickets and other in
sects sounded on his ear. What sweet
homecoming it would be he thought, if
only he was sure Of meeting with a wei.
come. But how could his heart leap in
joyful recognition of each dear familiar
scene. when the horrible fear was haunt