The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-17

morning I sent Mary with that half.
dozen of my biscuits to Mr.. Covert, and
told her to say they were from you; but
she carried them to the wrong house,
and the man who followed Mamie was
the recipient of them, and probably
wished to ask her why they were sent"
"Well, l never ~ gasped the old lady.
"That accounts for it,"
Though she said nothing about it,
she appreciated her niece's kind act in
saying she had sent the biscuits; al
though, coupled with this intended
kindness, Carrie had intended perpe-
trating joke. The explanation seemed
satisfactory enough, too, but the little
shadow of mystery surrounding that
days doings was only just developing,
and the following day they were to be
very much more surprised.
" leo odd your fath or boo not returned
for tea" observed Aunt Sadie, after all
the dishes, save one for the absent min
lister, had been cleared away.
"He said he was going to make seve-
raj calls" replied Carrie.
"He is always late," grumbled the
old lady.
"Aunt Sadie" said Carrie, "what is
the matter with you to-day-you are so
out of temper?"
For answer, her aunt burst into tears.
Carrie looked at her in surprise.
"Dear Aunt Sadie, have I offended
youP' she asked with troubled look,
as she kissed her affectionately.
"No, Carr e, that j. not it. I know
am burdensome old creature. but I
have been harassed by so many doubts
and fears since my husband went away
that have often wished for the peace
of heaven. You don't know what I
mean?'
"No, I do not replied Carrie.
"Why, mamma" said Mamie, "is
papa not dead. You always led me to
believe so."
No-that is, do not know" said
the old lady. He left me to travel for
the firm he was connected with in busi-
ness, and went ont West. A month
after he had gone I received intelli
gence that he was thought to be dead.
They saiu he was in train which had
been wrecked by falling through a
bridge. 1t was a frightful accident, and
the papers were full of the news at the
time. Mamie was little child then,
about three years o'd. They did not
find his body, nor have I ever heard
rom him since, and it was supposed
that his corpse was carried away by the
river. To day was the fifteenth ami
versary of the frightful event, and
bearing on my mind so all day it has
made me exceedingly peevish and disa.
greeable."
1t was late that night when the Rev
Benjamin Ray returned home, and he
7u,hed off to his library in grea, haste,
aud sat there nearly the whole nigh
through. smiling benignly, and polish
ing his bald head with his handkerchief
until it shone again. No one in the
house knew the occasion of his Joy MOI
I'D he divulge it until the succeeding
day.
Carrie" said he, at the breakfast
able, "did you send Mr.. Covert nap
tinful of biscuits yesterday?'
The girl blushingly admitted that she
nad done so.
"Well, my DEAR" said the old gentle
nan, g l am glad y"u did, for it has al
ost cured him of his illness, and he j.
coming here to-day to thank you fol
hem; you know called on him."
Carrie looked at Aunt Sadie in rer
Diexity, and the old lady returned her
glance of the same sort.
"But, papa" she stammered, "Mary
delivered them to some one else, and
che old m tdman who got them chased
Mamie last nisht, giving us all such a
care that we did not know what to
do"
"Eh?" said her father, glancing over
his spectacles at her. "The wrong
party got them, did he? Oh, 1 guess
not |"
Carrie and Aunt Sadie gazed at bin,
more bewildered now than before.
"But Mary said so," began Carrie.
Before she finished speaking there
came "bang!" at the door; it flew
back on its hinges. and in rushed the
old fellow who had pursued Mamie.
They all started to their feet and the
ladies' would have fed had he not
barred their exit by standing in the
doorway. Then there sauntered other
footsteps in the ball, and before Aunt
Sadie could resist the stranger had her
in his arms and was crying:
"Ssdie Sadiel At last 1 have you
againr'
"My husband |" she cried. "Oh,
thank God |"
Yes. it was Aunt Sadie's husband and
the old lady clung to him, weeping for
Joy.
"And, William. here is your little
Mamie"
There was no fear of the supposed
now, and Mamie fou:d d herself
clasped in loving pair of arms and
felt her fathers tender kisses with hap,
piness indescribable, while Carrie
looke d On in astonishment.
$50 you thought me dead, eh p said
Mr.. Hall. Well, it was all mistake.
| received severe injuries in that rail.
road accident, but soon recovered,
owing to the good care received at the
hands of the miners wives to whom I
vas carried. They persuaded me to
stake out claim in their mining re-
5ions, and | did so. / was not rich,
you know, Sadie, and l saw prospects
of sudden wealth in mining, aud my
nope was realized after years of work.
Once the gold fever was on me could
1ot leave there until 1 accomplished
what meant to do. I would have
written you, but resolved not to dc so
until could return and say lam rich,'
'r l am beggar.' The surprise to you
low is more delightful, isn't it. my
lear?'
"But the suspense you kept me in ?"
The demonstrated.