Morris tribune., 1886-11-03

Then came the affair at the village.
One dark night party of roughs had
boken into Squire Peasley's barn,
tied together the legs of all his hens,
nailed up white.foot's stall, and then
climbing up the roof of the ell had
placed board soaked in salt and
water over the chimney. The old
gentleman, who lived alone, was oblig-
ed to travel on slippery ground to
the nearest neighbor for help. The
villagers were Justly indignant and for
Furnishing the miscreants, but no clue
to them could be found.
Will was away from home that
night, and suspicion rested on him as
one OF the party, until he could bear it
no longer and he decided to go away.
1t seemed but yesterday-their part
ing in the old trysting place.
Will had slipped the tiny gold band
he wore upon her fnger-it seemed
but thread of gold now-asking her
to wear it until he came back.
For" he said, "Pll never come
back till | can offer you name
and a home. Somehow the devil has
had possession of me lately, but bad
as | am | would scorn to do what
they accuse me of-torture q feeble
old man. While you believe and trust
me there are plenty who do not" And
with a last "Good.by, my Beth" he
was gone.
When the first letter came addressed
to Miss Beth Allen in Willis round,
boyish hand, Mr.. Allen frowned, and
his wife scolded, but when she was for
stopping the correspondence at once
he said:
"There, there, mother! let the girl
write to him if she wants to; she won t
do him any harm, and l can trust
her for true Allen not to go far out
of the way"
So the matter had dropped, and for
five years 'Lizabeth's letters were re-
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and unexpectedly.
For months 'Lizabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an 81 told you
he didn't amount to anything" when
ever there was no one but her hus-
band to hear, and Mr.. Allen waited
in silence.
Time does much toward healing
such wounds. and five years had made
it seem more like an unpleasant dream
than a reality, when the news ofWill's
return came, awakening memories OF
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weather wise.
The snow had fallen through the night,
covering the earth as with a mantle,
the feathery flakes continued to come
lazily down until just before II o'clock,
then there WAS rift in the western
sky, and, when the old yellow sleigh
stood at the door the SUN shone as
bright as ever.
"Be careful, and don't let Elizabeth
get cold waiting for you," was Mrs.
Aliens parting injunction, as she came
to the door to see them off.
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly-fallen snow and send it in
little whirls to lie sparkling and glis-
tening few yards from where it had
fallen. Robin was in excellent spirits,
and Mr.. Allen declared, as he drew up
in front of the village postoffice, that
the distance never seemed so short be-
fore.
DRAW the robe close around you,
darter, and don't get tired waiting.
I've got to bargain with Sam Chase
about that stove, but I'll be as quick
as l can; then we'll drive down to
Burnham's and get the bookyou men
toned" With this and an extra pull
to Robins blanket Mr.. Allen was
gone.
"Father was right, the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new one"
'Llzabeth thought, as she nestled down
III III CHE Gifffe corner, drawing the robe more
closely to keep out the puffs of wind
that tried to find entrance at all
corners. While tucking the robe be-
tween the cushion and the side of the
sleigh her fingers touched something
smooth like paper.
zone of fathers old receipts, he's so
careless" she thought, with a fond
smile, as she drew it forth for inspec-
ton. But q glance was needed to
show her mistake.
1t was little yellow with age, I'M
opened. and addressed to herself in
the handwriting she knew so we'll.
She could scarcely trust her eyes, but
there was thetamlliar postmark-San
Francisco-and she was just leaning
forward to read the date when gust
of wind, taking it from her hands, de-
posted it at the feet OF a gentleman
who was passing.
She dared not look up, but in a
moment he was handing it toward
her, saying:
as this your property, Miss Allen?"
At the sound of the voice, so little
changed that she would know it any
where, the hot blood rushed to her
face and she had scarcely courage
to reply:
II think so. l never saw it before"
She felt the keen eyes search her
face, and there was a touch of scorn
in the question that followed.
at is an old letter addressed to you,
and you never saw it before?"
She felt that she must vindicate her.
self, and her answer came full and
clear:
II just found it in the old sleigh. I
do not know how long it has lain
there"
He glanced again at the letter; it
must be the same one; he knew the
date so we'll. The tone was almost
eager now.
"You never saw it before, Beth?
You did not receive it, my last letter,
and leave it unanswered".
could you doubt me, WHIP" She
was looking him in the face now.
II might have known better, but
you were always so punctual, and
when [ received no answer to my last
letter l was too proud to write and
ask an explanation. l thought you
had given me up, like every one else in
B. Can you forgive me for my
want of confidence? But he needed
not word for answer.
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying back
the old sleigh had two occupants. 1t
was sometime before they could ex-
plain affairs to his bewildered mind,
but when light began to dawn he ex-
claimed
cit was that Jim; he's so carelessl
lost letter for me oncep'
T. u