Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-23
Galts and Sketfbts.
REMNANT OF GRACE.
Continued from Yesterday. J

Bessie Upton paced the floor of her pref
~ sitting room, more excited and nervous
han she had ever been in her life before.
She had naturally, quiet, cool tempera-
ment.
"If he only did not start" she said.
anxiously; if he saw the ierceness ofthe
storm in season to stop at the mills instead
of attempting TO brave it,"
The night came down early. but the
mill owner came not, and his wife. though
still anxious, had settled down to the be-
lief that he would not come till morning.
Suddenly loud neigh. falling between
the pauses of tempest, struck her ear.
Henry has come nowi" she exclaim-
ed, and catching up lamp, she hurried
TO the side door connected with the sta
BILE.
Only painting, terrified horse, the bro
ken harness dangling from his foamy sides,
met her appalled, vision. For moment
she sank, dzzyend faint in chair. She
was alone-her one servant. having gone
away for day. had been prevented from
returning by the storm.
Fred Wildburn was sitting over a
smouldering fire, Inwardly cursing the
storm that kept him in. 1t was not a
pleasant home-there was that excuse for
him. The walls were dingy with smoke,
the floor was bare and dirty, the chairs
and tables were broken and diapitated.
and had that terrible, dreary look one
sees sometimes in the novels of the ex-
IRENE poor.
How the wind blows! This is the
third time"
| He paused suddenly, for, framed in the
door. the wind and snow whirling madiy
about her slight figure, stood Bessie Up
ton.
Great heaven. Bessie.' he calculated,
and stood gazing at her in dumb amaze
nent, while she closed the door and came
and stood before him.
"Frederick,'' she said, in her sweet,
firm Voice, Henry is out somewhere in
this storm. The horse has come home
alone. If he came the forest road he
could not live till morning in this storm.
There is nobody dare ask bat you to 60
to him. 1t is great deal to ask. know.
but think | know your heart better than
anyone else does. and shall trust to your
courage and bravery in this dreadful
emergency
A fierce spasm of pain crossed his face.
Then he turned away without speaking.
and took down his hat and coat. and they
walked together to the door. He paused
on the doorstep looking wistfully down
at her.
GLOW can you get home''
at is dreadful, krow, Frederick, -
nobody but she ever called him anything
but Fred-''but | think I can get along"
the wind nearly taking her from her feet
as she spoke.
. ! Il h. oot.l haatf.t
ing, and adding, il yon are not afraid of
being contaminated"
For answer she put her hands into his
confdingly. While she lived, Bessie Up
ton never forgot the close, nervous clasp
with which be held her hands but he bore
her carefully and tenderly to her door,
and then turned away into the storm and
darkness.
One. two. three hours-and oh, such
long. interminable ages as they seemed
Perhaps she had sent him to his death.
too" she moaned sadly. "Oh. if | could
only know and see Just where they are ~
1t she could she would have seen a
slight. determined figure, battling with
the strength of giant against the winds
that disputed his progress step by step.
Falling sometimes over prostrate trees,
anon borne down by sudden avalanches OF
snow that poured down from the over
hanging trees, yet struggling on with uD-
abated zeal, till he comes at last to a still,
W lite figure lying across the path. and
mixed up and held down by the debris OF
broken wheels and tree limbs. He
stopped and put out his hands a moment
then he lifted the combining mass and tax
ing the unconscious form in his arms,
turned towards home.
Two hours later. when poor Bessie had
nearly given them both up for dead. Fred
Wildburn staggered into the room and
laid her husband at her feet.
IL have fulfilled the trust" he said
family. and sank down beside Upton who
was slowly ,ousing from his terrible chill
and torper that had overpowered him.
"Oh, Henry, he has tainted. And see !"
She grew suddenly white as she pointed
10 a small stream of blood that stained
his shirt bosom.
1t was morning before they could get a
physician there. Wildburn had lain in
m unconscious state all night but the flow
If blood bad ceased. and they thought it
.,ulv the torpor of exhaustion.
Poor Fredr' Henry Upton said. there
was some good in him after all. owe
nv life to his bravery. and shan't forget
It in a hurry. have been thinking Bes-
lie, that | will take him into the mill. and
zee if can't make something of him vet.
intend to reward him handsomely for
his"
He paused and flushed little. Per-
maps he remembered the legacy that OF
right belonged TO him do not know.
The dc ctor came at last but his grave
face told the story before he opened his
lips.
There is no chance for him to. recover
ne said. There is an inward hemorrhage,
,-aused by the long. fierce strain upon his
system. He is rather light. and you are a
heavy man. Mr.. Upton. 1t is one of Gods
greatest miracles how he ever accomplish
ed it."
A little after noon he opened his eyes
md looked about him.
Fred" Mr.. Upton said, feelingly. i've
not treated you as | ought in times past.
and didn't deserve this at your hands.
want You to forgive me-"
s.Bessie--where is Bessie" he inter-
rupted. family.
Here, dear Frederick. here" and she
took his hands in hers, and bent over him
until he felt warm tear splash upon his