The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-06-13

words.
.Dear Nora" her husband had said,
"God forgive me for the sorrow have
brought upon you, but you shall never
look upon my face again. Tempted, l
have fallen, and sorrow-stricken leave
my home never to enter II again. Teach
Alice to forget me-and teach your
own heart, Nora, to look on me as
dead"
Is it any wonder that for long weeks
afterward Nora Wade had lain as one
dead, and that when consciousness had
come she had longed to diep Months
afterward she was brought back to the
home of her childhood. and there they
had nursed her back to life. But the
days were to her but meaningless shad-
ows, and had it not been for the little
that life grew brighter and sweeter
every day in the peace of the old farm
house she would willingly have fallen
into the sleep that knows no waking.
Now she sits in the shadow of the
darkened room, living again through
the scenes of the past year. But all
the fierceness of her old rebellion has
died away, and she feels only a weary,
weary pain that knows no surcease.
She looks upon the lovely child-face
before her with great tenderness in
her mother eyes--which is yet a half a
terror. What if those baby lips should
never lisp her name again-what if
those dimpled hands should never press
her face again in the long, lonely years
to come! And the sweet voice! Would
the old home ever be glad again with
out its ringing echoesp Not only her
own heart she knows will break, but
the old hearts too, that have grated
their happiness upon the tender, beau
tiful blossom.
Bat no! She drives the thought
away. Surely God will leave her this
this one wee flower that has bloomed
upon her cross. In her sleep the child
sobs her name, and Nora takes the
dainty golden head in her arms, kiss
ing the flushed cheeks and soothing the
wee sufferer to sleep again. And with
the baby arms around her neck, she
sinks herself in u troubled, restless
slumber.
| Farmer Matthew, riding along the
country road that leads from the city
into the lonely country beyond, Is not
without slight fear, for the twilight
has fallen, and it grows darker every
moment. Still the white earth reflects
the fading light, and the stars seen
now and then through the cloud spaces
cast faint glimmer upon the glisten-
ing road. Old Dobs knows the way
well, however, and he joys along pla-
cidly, scarcely needing the keen wind
as it sweeps across the snow drifts,
though it blinds him momentarily.
But Farmer Matthews is not alone.
BY his side sits young physician
whose stalwart form does not shrink
from the cutting blast.
II hardly thought you'd come" says
the old farmer. II kinder hated to
ask you, you seemed to be enjoyin'
yourself so nightly; but Alice was so
sick, and the women folks-mother and
Nora-lost all faith in the old doctor,
so thought there'd be no harm in
comm to see you, anyhow"
The old mans voice trembles little.
He is thinking of the frail little form
that has lain so helplessly on the pillow
for many, many days, and the little
voice whose music has been well-nigh
hushed forever.
.'Of course I'd come" answers the
young man. "How could you think
wouldn't Don't / owe my life to youP
/ would be ungrateful, indeed, did
not remember the day when you took
| me, stray wait, into your heart and
home. 1t was long ago, but / owe all
I am and all have to day to you, and
what would 1 not do for you and
yours?"
"God bless you for the good will, my
boy" the old man says; and then there
is a silence between them, broken only
by the sound of the horses hoofs upon
the crisp white snow.
But as they turn bend in the road
the old man turns to his companion.
"We've lonely patch of woods
ahead; keep your eyes and ears open. "
"Yes, / am prepared for it." The
young man takes two glittering objects
from his pocket. 81 fancy any prowl-
ing rascals would not like to make the
acquaintance of these. ~.
He replaces the revolvers safely in
their hiding place rs old Dobs plunges
bravely into the woods. A ghostly
place It is, with the tall trees holding
OUT long Wnltc aTDlS anu Inc W6lTu
shadows falling across the winding
road.
"Hark! what's thatp" The young
physician lays his hand on the old
mans arm. They both listen for 6
moment, but only the signing of the
wind comes through the forest.
II surely heard moan." says the
young man. lit could not have beer
the wind"
Old Dobs suddenly pricks up his
ears and SHES violently to ono side o.
the road.
"Hello!" cries the farmer. what
the matter with Dobsp"
/ But the young man has already
sprung to the ground. There's some
thing in the road" he says. "Give m'
the lantern quick. Surely it is a mar
fallen into the snow drifts" He take!
small vial from his pocket and forces
its contents down the mans throat
then they lift him carefully into TIT
wagon.
'Drive rs fast as you can," the young