Thomas County cat., 1886-08-12
BACK TO LIFE.
The Sleep and Waking of 6
Troubled Bride.

The blue waters of the Shepscot rip
pied and flashed in the July sun
shine as it swept on, winding in and
out among the scattered islands till it
reached tie broader expanse beyond.
On one of these islands and hardly a
stones throw from the river, stood an
old square house. 1t faced the water
and looked toward the landing at the
further end of the island across the riv-
er, where no work of mans hand as
yet broke in on its wild beauty. The
old house had been thought hand
some mansion in its day. That was
more than hundred years ago, but it
was good still, for its oaken timbers
had so far defed the ''tooth of time"
and its capacious chimneys still gave
one a glimpse of the sky if he CHANGED
to look up. The square 'foreroonl"
at the left of the front entrance vet
gave some hint of its old-time splendor;
a cornice not altogether devoid of ar
tistic finish ran around the ceiling, and
the dull blue paint of its wood work
was yet in a good state of preserva-
ton.
The room opposite this was in more
common use, but the long kitchen
opening from both was the usual win
ter living room of the family. On this
July afternoon light breeze, carry
ing with it the breath of the old-fash-
ioned flowers outside, came in through
the open doorway at one end, swept
across the kitchen to the little bedroom
at the other end, and through the open
window wandered off over the fish
lakes that stretched down the slope to
the fish and boat houses near the water.
But as the afternoon wore on the sSy
darkened, distant thunders sounded
warningly now and then, till with the
twilight the breeze, grown to sudden
gale, dashed the large rain drops
against the windows of the old house
which Mrs. NARROW was hurrying to
close.
''Wall, I declare, father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath,
show it does rain! Who'd thought it
when twas SO pleasant this after
noon?"
Captain Marlow rubbed the bald
spot on his head reflectively as he re-
turned: ''Does pour, that's fact"
then he added: 81 wonder if Eben got
his hay in. There he is nowr' he ex-
claimed few minutes later, as a
rumbling sound was heard between
the peals of thunder Hes Just COM
in over the big rock. Sho! he must
be as wet as a drowned rat, and his
hay, too!'
EbeR represented the Marlow's near
est neighbOr, whose home was but a
few rods from theirs. A little later a
binding flash, accompanied by a crash
of thunder heavier than any preceding,
caused Mrs. NARROW to start up from
her chair. Mercy" she exclaimed.
81 pity any poor creature that has to
be out in this" The woman's benevo-
let face grew grave and she sat silent.
Her thoughts had gone to her boy
boy he was still to her. though the
bearded captain of the Hightiyer had
long since outgrown the name from
Others. He was beyond the reach of
this storrs, but whatever else might
have befaiien him who could tell?
Yes" said Captain Marlow. in re-
sponse to his wife's remarks, 81 dunno
when we've had such storm since
the time Cap'n Jim's barn was struck,
eight-ten-yes, ten years ago this
very month; you recollect it, don't
you?''
Ito be sure / do"
The storm continued with little
abatement. just as one peal of thun-
der died away an indistinct sound
reached the ears of the two people in
the long kitchen. They regarded each
other questioningly for a moment,
then there was rattle of the door
latch. Some one outside was cropping
for it in the darkness.
The man started up, and going to the
door. threw it wide open to the storm,
but he stepped back as he did so. for
there on the door-stone stood q figure
strange to him. The next moment his
hospitality overcame every other feel
ing. and reaching out. he said: s.Who-
ever We are, come in."
Mrs. NARROW was by his side and
gazing in amaZement at the slight,
white-robed figure. 1t was a young
girl they had never seen before. There
was frightened. appealing look in the
brown eyes. The wind and rain had
beaten upon her head till the dark,
curling hair was drenched and clirsging
about her neck. Mrs. Marlow's hoth-
erly arms stretched out instinctively.
".Poor childr' she said. drawing her