Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-07-23

reached the porch. The old man
stopped and sighed. A tear rolled
down his wrinkled cheek. "I had
given up al hope of seeing home
again." he said. God bless you,
Tom. Now can die"
mo, indeed; not yet. said his com
panlon. You have many year to
live. Rest and quiet and coed nurs-
ing will 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 still supported
the great family bible, the wide chin
ney-place was tiled with fresh leafy
oaken boughs, tae grandfatber's pic
ture hung over the mantel. All was
there as he had left it, and each was
friend whose silent greeting drew a
tear from the granite heart that had
not quaked to look on death, and des-
tltutlon, and suffering IN every shape
that war and pestilence can engender.
Nor was the tender spell broken till
Aunt Betsy, who had heard g 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 a cry and a start
she rushed to her knees beside the old
rocking chair, and with uncertain
voice, can this be you, johns" she
said: ''My poor old brotherl and
don't you know your Betsy9 [ told
'e1u you'd come back some day, but
never thought 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 ARIA 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 al
most superhuman that he said calmly
Il see them coming; my time is not
my own, and must be off,"
What, you're not going that way ?
Oh! l 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 ia an hour for Cincinnati. Good
by"
"You can't mean 1t Tom-why.
don't ysu know Mary and Henry's
been awaiting all this time till John
would come home to get married.
Your must be here for the wedding,
sure"
This was too nauch, 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 q prayer of thanks
to heaven he said:
Henry and Mary married! It was
Gods hand that brought me back,
Tom. That can never be. Mary is
Henry's half-sister." A wild scream
came from the back door through
which Aunt Betsy had come in. There
stood Mary and Henry. Her hands
were on his shoulders, her head was
hidden on his breast. Toms heart
was big with wonder and hope and
pity. He stood motionless, swayed by
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, hut
thank God-me for sister, you for a
brother; and let me introduce you to
the man who twice took me out of the
jaws Of death. I know he is a man
worthy of all honor, and, if I mistake
not the light in his eyes, he is greatly
pleased to find me your brother in
stead your sweetheart"
Mary looked up, dazed with sur
prise and admiration. at her Old
schoolfellow. ''Tomw said she.
Mary" came from the poor fell
lows deepest heart, freighted with
such hope, such love. such intensity
of happiness that Mary resigned her
self to his outstretched arms.