Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17
Did you see her2 Which way did

'She9 Who is the mysterious she
la the case? All, Tom, you rogue,
have you had an adventure while
slept? Too bad to steal a march on
me, old fellow"
He was evidently quite unconscious
CT all that had passed. Adventure
Well, IL was that, certainly, and a
strange one, too.
did nothing tell sou that some
one you knew and cared for was
near?' I said slowly, keeping my eyes
on MS face, which looked white aud
set In the moonlight. He passed his
hand over his brow.
II was dreaming, I believe" ne
answered IN graver tone; dream
ing Of one I can never see again
Ban! what is life itself but dream2
The past is gone, and she with it;
what's the use Of thinking of what is
past recall?"
Are you sure it is past recall?n [
asked, and then I told him what had
happened. At first he laughed at the
idea of {, mysterious lady who was so
interested in him, and chaffed me IN
mercifully about my talent for ro-
|
more attentively. and MS eyes Ques-
toned mine with eagerness.
Good God! Is it possible2" he muir
INJURED, and then again he seemed to
doubt my veracity.
i've been thinking in my Sleep"
he said, ''and you've caught name
It's a Dad guest, TORI Lesson, and I'm
a bad subject for jest1ng with. I give
you notice. I thought you knew me
better by this time, you young
scamp!" And, turning away as
though to hide the emotion he could
not help showing, he pulled out his
plpe and began to FIJI it. But his
hand trembled and he let it fall.
was gro owing a little hot over it
myself by this time. It was hard to
have ones word doubted after being
startled and almost frightened out of
ones senses.
''Believe me Or not, as you .choose,"
just what happened, neither more or
nor less except that I asked her to
speak to you herself, because you
were sure to say you didn't believe
me-"
"And what did she say2 Oh, Tom,
if you only knew! How can [ believe?
[ feel as though the earth was reeling
under my feet. Tell me quick-every
word !" he cried in a hoarse, broken,
voice.
''She saaid [ was to tell you not to
doubt what Helen, the Helen you love
says, and if you were still incredulous
[ was to tell you that she had show
ed me herhand2"
''Her hand3 Her left hand was it?
Aud you saw-what?'
THAT the first joint of the middle
finger was wanting"
There was dead silence for anon
ent after I had said this, and then the
sound of long gasping sigh. I tried
TO see Lorimer's face out he had pulled
his hat over his brow and was leaning
against the trunk of tree.
Presently lie put out his hand in a
blind hesitating sort of fashion, and
took hold OF my arm. He began to
lead me along walking slowly and
stumbling as though faint and stunn-
led. [ stopped after few steps.
"Where are you going2" [ asked
Back" he replied, shortly.
''Then you do believe me now" |
Queried triumphantly.
Eyes; you could not know that.
And we went on in silence for awhile
then he looked up to the moonlit sky
3where the feecy clouds were hurrying
over the luminous expanse of heaven.
Mt believe. aye, all ever doubted be-
fore the eternity of the possibility of
reunion. Tom, do you think love,
the dead ever return to the earth2"
''The dead?'
''Aye, the dead. If they, with
mightier powers have greater love
what can keep them from those who
formed a part of their existence here9'
Ny heart began to beat SO loudly as
he spoke that could scarcely hear,
shuddered from head to foot, What
was the meaning of those strange
words? I grasped his arm tightly
and glanced nervously behind.
'You mean-Tell me, for heavens
sake, who it was spoke to me while
you slept?'
"It was my wife," he answered in a
low V. ice.
''And Where is she2 Where did
SnS SOE CG1So
''She died two years ago."
[ started back in horror. Those few
words, SO almly and quietly spoken
rang in my ears for months. Never
shall forget the effect they produced
on my imagination. But Lorimer, on
his part Eever detected my agitation.
He seemed in 3 sort of trancs-a rapt
exalted state of mind which rendered
him oblivious of external things, and
kept murmuring to himself in the
strangest way.
You knew [ shonld heed your
warning when I was sure-that poor
little missing finger which you fretted
about because you fancied it spoiled
the beauty Of your wee white hand F.;
bat no, have I not kissed the place
over and over again, my darling, and
told you it only made you dearer to
me since you lost it in saving my
life! Once more it saves nae from
some unknown danger But it does
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