Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-23

reached the porch. The old man
stepped and sighed. A tear rolled
down his wrinkled cheek. 81 had
given up all hope of seeing home
again, he said, God bless you,
Tom. Now I can die"
"No, indeed; not yet, said his com
panlon. You have many a year to
live. Rest and quiet and coed nurs-
ing viii give you new strength
They entered the door, The clean
tidy room was just the same as when
the old man had left it nearly thirty
months before; the rag carpet was
bright and clean as ever; the heavy
posted bed with immaculate sheets
and pillow slips stood in the same
place, the little table sull supported
the great family bible, the wide chin
ney- place was illed with fresh leafy
oSken boughs, tRe grandfather's pic
ture hung over the mantol. All was
there as he had left it, and each was
a friend whose silent greeting drew a
tear from the granite heart that had
not ouaked to look on death, and des-
tuition, and suffering in every shape
thatwar and pestilence can eagender
Nor was the tender spell broken till
Aunt Betsy, who had heard noise
from the kitchen, came to the door
AT first she stopped and dropped an
involuntary courtesy to the stately
gentleman of military mien who stood
beside the old mans bent and weeping
form. Then with q cry and a start
she rushed TO her knees beside the old
rocking chair, aud with uncertain
voice, can this be you, Johnp she
said My poor old brotherl and
don't you know your Betsy2 l told
'e,n you'd come back some day, but |
never Tia ought to see you so like
like that, and she wept and laughed
together without thought of why.
Tom, from the window. saw with
deep emotion his beloved Mary COM
ing arm in arm with the man he hated
with the insanity of murder and saved
with the heroism Of love. Both feel
ings now rose tempestuous in his
bosom, and it was with an effort at.
most superhuman that he said calmly
Il see them coming; my time is not
my own, and | must be off. y
What, you're not going that way
Oh guess you're in a hurry to get
home. That's right, but don't fail to
come over tonight."
mo, I'll just stop to shake hands
with father and mother. must be
off in an hour for Cincinnati Good
by"
"You can't mean 1t Tom-why,
don't you know Mary and Henry's
been a waiting all this time till John
would come home to get married.
Your must be here for the wedding,
sure.n
This was too much, and Tom was
about to bolt out of the house without
another word, when, turning a last
look at his old friend, he saw his eyes
lit up with peculiar expression OF
wonder and thankfulness His head
arose from his bosom, and with voice
which was almost prayer OF thanks
TO heaven he said
Henry aud Mary married 1t wa'
GODS hand that brought me back
Tom. That can never be. Mary il
Henry's half-sister." A wild scream
came from the back door through
which Aunt Betsy had come in. Their,
stood Mary and Henry. Her hand,
were on his shoulders, her head wa!
hidden on his breast. Toms hear
was big with wonder and hope anC
pity. He stood moti0nless, swayed by
a thousand contending thoughts
Amusement seemed TO have struck
dumb every member of this strange
group, when Henry, taking Mary BY
the hand and advancing into the room
said: Mary, let us not grieve, hui
thank God me for sister, you for {
brother; and let me introduce you e
the man who twice took me out of tn,
jaws of death. / know he is a man
worthy Of all honor, and, if | mistak,
not the light in his eyes, he is greatly
pleased to fine me your brother in
stead your sweetheart"
Mary looked 10, dazed with sur
prise and admiration. at her ole
schoolfellow. Toni said she.
MARY came from the poor fell
lows deepest heart, freighted will
such hope, such love, such intensity
of happiness that Mary resigned her