The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-07-28
BACK TO LIFE.
The Sleep and Waking of a
Troubled Bride.

Ilc bluo WdttIS VI tuo CHcpSCOt Eip>
Piled and flashed in the July sun
.hinc as it swept on, winding in and
nut among the scattered islands till it
reached tie broader expanse beyond.
On one Of these islands and hardly
stones throw from the river, stood an
old square house. 1t faced the water
and looked toward the landing at the
further end of tho 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 a hand
;ome mansion in its day. That was
more than hundred years ago, but il
was good still. for its oaken timbers
had 50 far defied the "tOoth of time"
and its capacious chimncys still gave
one glimpse of the sky if he CHANGED
to look up. The square "forcrooni"
at the left of the front entrance yet
gave some hint of its Old-time splendor;
cornice not altogether devoid Of ar
tistic finish ran around the ceiling, and
the dull blue paint of its wood work
was yet In . good state OF preserva-
tiou.
The room opposite this was in more
common use, but the long kitchen
opening from both was tho usual win
ter living room of the family. On this
July afternoon a light breeze. carry
ing with it the breath Of the old-fash-
toned flowers outside, came in through
the open doorway at ono 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 tho sky
darkened, distant thunders sounded
warnlngly 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 ia
close.
.'Wall. declare. father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath,
-'how it does rain! Who'd thought il
when twas SO pleasant this after
noonp"
Captain NARROW rubbed the bald
spot on his head reflectively as he re-
turned: "Docs pour, that's fact;'
then he added: II wonder If Eben go,
his hay in. There he is now" he ex
claimed few minutes later, rs ,
rum5ling sound was heard between
the peals of thunder. ''He's just com
in over the big rock. Sho! he mus
he as wet as drowned rat, and hi.
hay, toor'
Ebon represented the Marlow's near
est ncighbor. whose home was but .
few rode from theirs. A little later :
binding flash, accompanied by a crash
of thunder heavier than any preceding
caused Mrs. NARROW to start up from
her chair. "Mercyr she exclaimed
-! pity any poor creature that has I,
lie out in this" The wOman's benevo
let face grew grave and she sat silent
Her thoughts had gone to her boy
hoy he was still to her, though tn,
bearded captain of the Highhyer hat
long since outgrown tho name from
others He was beyond the reach o
this storm, but whatever else nigh
have befallen him who could tellp
Yes" said Captain NARROW. in re
Spouse to his wife's remarks, 81 dunno
when we've had such storm sine,
the time Cap'n Jim's barn was struck
eight-ten-yes, ten years ago thi
very month; you recollcct it, don
youa"
TO be sure l do"
The storm continued with it'll,
abatement. Just as one peal of thun
der died away an indistinct soun'
reached the ears of the two people il
the long kitchen. They regarded eacl
other questioningly for moment
then there was rattle of the doc
latch. Some one outside was gropin,
for 1t in the darkness.
Tho man started up, and going to tn
door, threw it wide open to the storm
hut no stepped back as he did so, TO
there on the door-stone stood figur
Strange to him. The next moment hi
hospitality overcame every other feel
ing, and reaching out. he said: WHO
ever ye are. come in"
Mrs NARROW was by his side ant
gazing in amazament at the slight
w!lte-robed figure. 1t was n youn|
girl they had never seen before. Their
WAS frightened. appealing look in tn
brown eyes. The wind and rain ha
beaten upon her head till the dark
curling hair was drenched and clingin
about her neck. Mrs Marlow's moth
~rly arms stretched out instinctively
Poor chldm she said, drawing he