Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-04-27

is playing?' said the old man in an
evcited whisper.
"a strange coincidence" the girl re-
piled.
"Strange 1t is more than strange
Lilly, darling, who could play that
song"
The melody came to an end, and all
was silence. There was moments
pause, and then, as if by common i'm
pulse, the old man drew his bow across
the strings and the girls sweet voice
caroled forth the second verse of the
song. Scarcely had they ended, when
a door opened at the foot of the church
tower Just beside them, and Michael
Fray, bareheaded, with his scanty locks
blown about by the winter wind, stood
before them. He hurried forward and
then stood still, sham efaced, bewilder-
ed. The song bad called up the vision
Of gallant young sailor, full of life
and health, as Michael had seen his
brother for the last time on the day
when he sailed on his final voyage.
He had hurried forth forgetting the
years that had passed, full Of tender
memories of happy boyish days. to
find, alas only a couple of wandering
beggars, singing for bread.
81 beg your pardon, he said, striving
vainly to master his emotions; "you
sang song just now which--which-
a song just now which was favorite
of dear friend Of mine many years
ago. viii you tell me where you got
it %
"By the best of all titles, sir,' the old
fiddler answered, drawing himself up
with touch of artistic pride: 81 wrote
it myself, words and music both"
"Nay, SIR" said Michael, sternly,
'you rob the dead. A dearly beloved
brother of mine wrote that song forty
years ago
"Well, upon my word" said the old
fiddler, waving wroth-"then your
brother must have stolen it from mel
What might this precious brothers
name be, pray?'
can honest name, name l am
proud to speak," said Michael, firing
up in his turn; "his name was Richard
Fray"
The old street musician staggered as
if he had received bow.
"What' he exclaimed, peering
eagerly into the others face; "tker you
are my brother Michael, for am Rich
ard Fray"
Half an hour later and the brothers
SO long parted, so strangely brought to-
gether, were seated around a roaring
fire in Michael Trays quaint, three
cornered parlor. Michael's stores had
been ransacked for warm, dry clothing
for the wanderers. Drawers long closed
yielded, when opened, sweet scent of
lavender and containing homely skirts
and bodices, kept still in loving memory
of little Nell, gave up their treasures for
Lilly's benefit, and Richard Trays snow
soddep clothes were replaced by Mi
chaefs choicest coat and softest slip
pers. The wanderers had done full
justice to Il plentiful meal and while
RichHrd Fray told the story of thirty
years wandering and the brothers found
how it came to pass that, each think
ing the other dead, they had lived their
lives and married, and buried their
dear ones, being sometimes but a few
miles apart and yet as distant as though
severed by the grim divider himself.
And Lilly sat on cushion at her grand
fathers feet, a picture of quiet happi-
ness and sang sweet songs to please the
two old men, while Michael lovingly
traced in her soft features fanciful like
nesses to his lost Nelly the strange
similarity Of the sweet voice aiding the
tender illusion. And surely no hap
pier party were gathered together in
all England on that Christmas tide,
than that little group round Michael
Trays quiet tireside.
"Well, grandfather, DEAR said Lilly
after pause, won't you believe in
miracles now
"My darling" said the old man, with
his voice broken with emotion. GOD
forgive me for having ever doubted
Him"