The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-04-14

less lie pressed the very gates OF
heaven to bring back his child.
Above him the stars looked down
coldly; the wind soughed through
the naples and rushed along the
prairie grass, as if to tell him how
barren life lay before him.
When he had lain long time he
tried to think and plan for the future.
If he could only go away that Sarah
might be free! She could marry the
man who was better suited to her
then. He had never thought much of
divorces, nor tried to solve the social
problem which the world has been SO
busy working out for years, but lying
under the stars with his head on his
baby's grave and the free western
wind touching his forehead and hair,
he got straight at the heart Of his
own troubles.
eff she does not love me I have no
right to her. My suffering is nothing;
her purity and truth is everything "
lie thought. sShe shall never look
upon my face again!''
He pressed his cheeks and lips
passionately to the dew-wet sod,
smoothed it tenderly with his hands
and then went from it forever. The
light was shining brightly from the
cottage windows, but he turned from
it reso1utely and walked with long,
rapid strides forward into the dark
ness.
It was ten miles to the nearest lake
town, but he was accustomed to walk
ing and distance was nothing to him.
He only prayed that he might find a
boat ready for sailing at the landing;
for, now that he had resolved to go,
he could not brook an instant of delay.
He knew every inch of the way; he
had travelled it many a time when
his hard worked horses seemed the
rest more than he needed it himself.
It was his way to shield and care for
every dumb animal tenderly. When
he worked in the fields, the birds flew
about his head and hoped at his very
feet, instinctively knowing there was
nothing to fear from his gentle hand.
The road ran straight along by his
own farm; broad green acres we'll
fenced carefully titled. How hard he
had worked-but oh, how hopefully
looking forward to the time when
the land should bring him solid wealth
for his labor-when everything beau
tiful that his wife craved or longed
for he could yield her with generous
hands. But that was passed now
his back was turned on his home, and
straight before him the great world
lay, it's arms ever ready to take in for
good or for evil those who were atloat
and astray.
AS he walked on he took his hat
from his head and let the cool wind
play over his forehead. It was hot
and feverish with pain. Once in
while night-bird screamed above
him, flying on through space; occasions
ally a dog howled in the distance and
the Growing of barnyard fowls smote
his ear with a lonesome sound.
AS he neared the town he noticed
black low-lying cloud in the south,
and thought how frightened his wife
would be if astorm should come while
she was alone. Whileh he was looking
at it carriage passed him, coming in
from one of the prairie roads and roll
ing rapidly forward. For moment
he stood quite still, his heart throb-
bling painfully. He did not know
what it meant; but, sensitive and
keenly alive to every impression that
night, nothing escaped him. He ran
forward without knowing why he did
so, the rumbling of the carriage lead
ing him. It went his own way too,
straight for the landing, and turning
corner he saw steamboat lying at
the waters edge. He was in luck,
after all, he thought; this was the
boat Hero, and almost ready to start.
The bell was ringing Justify. but the
plank was still out and few pas
sengers were making their way across
it. He hurried on board and got back
into the shadows where he could see
without being seen. The perspiration
was standing in cold drops upon his
forehead and face, and he trembled
50 that he could hardly stand.
He had always been plain, straight
forward fellow, little given to noting
the particular phases of his own mind;
and now, with no evidence of his
senses to assure him that it was so,
he could not understand why he
believed so firmly that his wife and
George Way were on board the Hero
with him. He had not seen them, he
had not heard them speak; and yet
that subtle, indescribable something
call it new sense or what you will
had felt and recognized their pres
ence.
The steamer glided out into the
stream and went sailing smoothly for
ward, it's great light making a shining
path on the waters. The cloud which
had been lying in the south was rising
and now covered half the sky, an
occasional CLEAN of lightning darting
from it. The wind was rising, too,
sweeping across the deck in strong,
steady gusts. Leaning upon the deck
railing Harry Vane watched the ris-
ing tempest. He saw that the cloud
had reddish tinge and it still hung
low. Something like fear thrilled
through his heart, not for himself
he was past that--but for the woman
whom he had loved, ay, still loved.
If he were wrong-if she were still at
home and not in the steamer-at home,
alone, how dreadful it would be for
her; again, if she were in the Hero,
if a great danger came to them, how
might it fare with herr