The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-12-07

pcutcu Iclun'iS W lIiHrrN, Only SIG lOVeu
no one well enough, reason which
would be all-suilicient if parents re-
malned Immortality young, but it loses
weight after sixty.
AS the seventh year drew to a close.
Dora's heart beat light within her. Joe
had mentioned seven years, as if he
meant to come home then mt any rate.
She wore out the first day Of the "glad
New Year" with busy cares till late in
the afternoon, when an old man spent
will much walking stopped to rest him
self i'll the farmhouse kitchen. Pru-
dence bestirred herself to give him
hearty luncheon, aud, when he was
warmed and fed, he began to talk of his
travels. He had been to seek his fortune
all over the West, and, never finding it,
had come back to die at home He
mentioned Colorado and Denver, and
when Dora found herself nloue with him
for II moment. she said, did you ever
SEQ Joseph Raymond in Denver?'
"Joe Raymond? Oh yes knew, him
well lived with him nigh ON toa month.
His wife was Il real good cook couldn't
be beat nowhere in them parts. "
"You say he was married."
"To be sure; right smart fcller,
and mighty fond Of his wife. Women
are scarce out there
Prudence came in, and the old man
went on his way all unconscious OF tho
great stone he had cast into the still
waters Of DoraS heart
"What's the matter?" said Pru-
dence "you're as white as ghost"
Dora's only answer was to dart out of
the house and run, ns Tor her life, down
the frozen orchard-path by which she
could gain upon and oyertake this ter
rible man. She might have said, with
"holy Herbert -
Ny thoughts are s case Of knives,
Wouuding my heart
With scattered smart --
only misery must have time TO crystal
hze into memory before it takes the
form Of poetry. Sho stood before the
old man at the turning, bareheaded and
breathless. "How did the Joe Ray
mond look that You lived with" gasped
Dora.
81 never said Joe Raymoud,'" said
the old man pecviShly 81 said Jim
Raymond. They had Il big boy named
Joe, who" but Dora was OF again be-
fore he could finish his sentence.
She ran back through the orchard,
giving thanks with all her heart that
she had not suffered herself to ho per-
suaded of Joe's iaithle,smass on one
hearing. Her feeling ot grateful awe rs
if she had escaped from sudden death
kept her from mourning much over the
passing away of this seventh Hnniversa-
ry of Joo's departure with no sign Of his
return.
His letters had wholly ceased, and
there was nothing left for Dora but to
possess her soul with patience. When
another new year dNwncd upon her, she
| nut ON the old red dress more from habit
than from any CLEAN of hope in her
heart, and did not care to look in the
glass. In the twilight she walked slow.
ly down the orchard-path and leaned on
the gate that opened into the road.
Suddenly a man sprang ont from be
hind the wall. Thcodora, my gift o
God T" he said; and Dora, though sh,
recognized no mark of tho lover who haC
left her eight years before, felt that II,
other know that pass word, and suffered
herself TO rost silently i'll his arms in the
ineflablo content that comes after long
waiting.
When Joe and Dora went into the
house, and she looked at him 10y candle
light, her heart almost mlsSave her; his
luxuriant beard aud the mani y assurance
| of his manners were not Mt all ike hel
Joe of beloved memory, and n terrible
| barrier seemed to rise up between them,
while Prudence remained III the room
with her company manners, which sal
more awkwardly upon her than her Sun
day gown.
When Dora tiptocd softly by her sis
ter = door at Il very late hour that night
Prudence was lying awake for her
"Don't tell me-, she said, "that you've
been waiting for that Joe Raymond al
this time !"
won't tell you II you uoii "aht u
hear it," said Dora.
"Do you know whether he came home
any better off than when he went away?
II really haven't thought to ask him,
said Dora, carelessly. Prudence groanet
and turned her face to the wall.
Joe waited only till the next day t
tell Mrs. Hall the story of his success
which seemed very moderate in his trav
cled eyes, but seemed noble fortune t
her homely ideas.
, "I never thought before, said Dora
father at the wedding, "that womal
could keep secret; and | guess 1t AIN
much more common than snow IN dog
days"
"How long would you have waite
for me?" whispered Joe in Dora's ear.
Forever" said Dora, solemniy.
And Mrs. Prudence Hall, as she oven
heard the word, thanked her stars tina
Dora's foolish notions had not wrecke
her at last on q poverty-stricken ma,
| riapp