Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-07-22
How Harry Came hOme,

AubD bHG ION DCoS ~ bAC " iiANto " : INV
pressing her sad, white face against
the glass. "Ah, me how happy |
was; but it is all over, l shall never
be happy again I"
Her dark eyes overlooked with
tears, and her memory went back TO
the old home of her childhood, the
great rambling country house, with
its spacious rooms and blazing fires
and large-hearted hospitality. She
could see the old garden, with its
winding borders, and cool retreats,
and catch the sweet odors of the
pinks, and the drowsy murmurs of
the bees, and there was the woodbine
arbor, beneath which she and Harry
had so often sat together. How well
she remembered one evening above
all others, an evening in royal June,
the air heavy with spicy odors, and a
full moon pouring down its glorify-
ing light upon the snowy pillows of
orchard blossom, and the long hedges
of crimson roses, weighed down by
their own intense perfume. On that
evening she had listened to the story
that has so often been repeated, but
which never grows old. MAUD, my
darling, l love you-will you be my
wife ?" She recalled the very words,
she seemed to hear his dear voice and
see his tender eyes. The betrothal
ring was still on her finger, just as
he put it there that night, and be-
side it another even yet more sacred
her wedding ring.
And this stormy desolate night
was the anniversary. Six years ago,
and the old homestead had rung
with music and revelry. Every
window blazed with light, and every
broad hearthstone gloWed with fam
ing logs. For ON that night, adorned
as she was with blossoms as spotless
and sweet as her own virgin heart,
Maud, sole daughter of house and
heart, and beauty and belle wherever
she went, became bride.
Bidding farewell to the old home,
and the old friends, Maud went forth
with her husband, for henceforth
and forever to be the light of his
home, and the inspiration of his
life.
One year, one short, sweet, happy
year, that went by like some rare,
rich melody, without a single note
of disc0rd to break its divine perfec
tion, and then the trouble came
The bare remembrance of it blanch-
ed the wife's cheeks, and made her
breath come in quick, painful gasps
At the close of this short, happy
year Of her welded life, her husband
received information concerning the
illness of an only brother residing
in California. He was dying Of
slow but sure disease, and wished to
see his brothers. face once more.
Harry Merlin did not hesitate an
instant, the path Of duty was plain
he must 60. Maud ontreated to be
permitted to accompany him, but he
was iueXorabe. The risks and hard
ships were too great.
Left alone, Maud was not the wo-
man to give way to dependency; it
was her nature always to keep her
face to the sun. She kept herself
busy with the duties Of her house
hold, and at last the dreary days
went by, and tiding from Harry
came. lie was safe at his journeys
end, but his brother was dead, leav-
ing Harry. however, the inheritor of
a considerable fortune. just as soon
as his business matters could be ar
ranged, Harry wrote, he would start
for home. Soon after a second mail
came, bringing intelligence that
Harry, in company with quite
party Of brother travellers, had set
out, taking the overland route
Maud counted the days with
throbbing impatience, the parting
had been so long; she pinned to see
bis dear face, and hear his voice once
more. She worked from morn till
night, filling the rooms with little
ornaments, and getting up a little
surprise against his return. She
Z cultivated the flowers he loved aud
sang the ballads he admired; never
did woman count the passing mo-