Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-02-12

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angels were coming out of the old
mans heart.
i can't say it., he murmured.
How the wind did roar then! How
it came tramping up from the sea,
toward the house, whistling about the
windows, moaning in the long desert
ed entries.
1t need not make such a fuss to-
night said old Gallison. ~. ...;f
s'Why, it is knockin', believe +
The noises died away, and then sud-
denly came loud thump at the
door.
.'That is not the wind,'' said the
farmer. He rose, went into the en-
try, and opening the outside door,
peered into the darkness.
@-Why, Kitty! Is this you here?
Come in, come in !''
With a sincere gesture of welcome,
he threw wide open the door, and let
the young woman in. She closed
the door behind her and followed old
Gallison into the dimly-lighted kitch-
en-. Kitty Berry's figure was rather
tall and stately, and its grace could
not be hidden by the poor, clumsy
garments she wore. A faded blue
shawl was wrapped about her head,
but the eyes that looked out from
the wrappings of the shawl were not
at all faded. They were as blue as
the waves and as animated in their
play. The animation was not at all
frivolous; it was too earnest.
When the farmer had seated him.
self, she suddenly stepped forward,
knelt at his side, and laid her hand
upon his.
''Father! - she said.
She never called him ''old CALI
son" his customary title among the
people. There was no real reason
why she should say "Father." Peo-
pie did say that she and Frank were
fond of one another at school and So
cial occasions, and she might one day
rightfully call Gallison ''father," but
then two young people that are
neighbors can hardly help sliding on
the same sled or picking berries from
the same bush or going home togeth-
er from husking-bees.
''Father p she said again in a
voice soft and musical as a harp at
the window. Perhaps she said
''father' out of pity for him in his
lonely life. She never said it before
Frank went away.
''It is a bad night to be out,
Kitty
She answered nothing, only looked
at him tenderly, pleadingly.
"And you must be very cold,
Kitty"
Still she said nothing, only con-
tinued the look that was prayer.
"Your hand is cold, Kitty. You
must not get sick. We should all
miss you so much"
She saw her opportunity.
''Do you miss anybody" she
quietly, tenderly asked.
The farmer started, put his hands
to his face and groaned.
"Father, Frank has come back y
"Come back?" he asked. repeat
ing the words in low, hushy tones.
eyes. His vessel was wrecked
on the sands an hour ago, but he is
saved"
"'Twas the knockin' l heard,' y
said old Gallison. Il know it was
not the wind. O God" he ejacu-
lated, sadly moaning as if the sin of
his hard-heartedness were coming to
him in one quick revelation.
"Yes, he is here, and whom God
has sent to us, shall we refuse to re-
ceive?" asked Kitty.
"Take me to him. was his only
answer.
There are some natures that 90 by
convulsions, by tornadoes, by fresh
cts, and farmer Gallison's nature
was of this kind. He was now
ready to meet his boy, ready even to
search for him.
'sHe is at our house. | will meet
you there" said Kitty. Il will &C
ahead"
Kitty's home was gray cottage
on high ledge of rock by the shore
From the white sands, long, rougf
fight of stairs went up the side ot
| the rock to the cottage above. Kit
| tvs home looked like an eagles nes
on a high cliff. To Joel Berry, the
| fisherman, it was the cosiest, warmes
nest in the world.
Frank Gallison was sitting nea
the fireplace with its wide, ampl
mouth, sitting alone as Kitty enter
ed. His face frightened as she ap
. peared even as the sea takes on
new luster when the sun comes up.
Crank, / have been up to SCI
your father
''In all this wild weather 2"
''That is nothing. And he is com
ing to see you"
dear Kitty, you are a peace
; maker. l will 60 to him."
t ''That is right. Hurry, don't wal
for him to come. In the old home
5 Frank, meet and be reconciled."
The young sailor fastened away
| Ha hod lo;I ac;do bic uat narmont