Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-02-18

There's nothing the matter with
Jim" said his brother. Il saw him
a few hours ago. He had been to
the bank and had drawn the money
for his land. He is making a day Of
it, that's all. And II he has not
altered entirely he may come home
not quite sober. Jim used to 90 on a
good many sprees in the old times. !
never quite believed he had settled
down as entirely as he seemed to have
done. Perhaps, though. it would not
be quite safe tonight with so much
money about him. I'll go and hunt
him up.
Then DIR. Handel went away and
Lottie sat down again. The moon
set the night grew dark; the rising
wind moaned about the house-still
no well-known step came up the little
path.
When the gray dawn broke she sat
upon the threshold still, and knew
that her forebodings had been true.
By this time neighbors had learned
what had happened, and some came
to her. Her husbands horse had been
found fastened in the wood, and there
were footsteps on the soft ground that
seemed to indicate a struggle. At
the tavern he had been seen drinking
a good deal, and exhibiting his money.
A rough-looking stranger had been
seen to follow him, it was now re-
membered.
No one doubted that he would be
found murdered in the woods hard by,
but though search was made, it was a
year before some one telling trees at
some distance from the spot where
James Handles horse had been tied,
found dead body covered with leaves,
and quite unacceptable,
Popular opinion, however, decided
that It was all that remained Of James
Handel, and as such it was buried.
The ceremony over, all doubts as
to the poor mans death were at an
end. Iottie wore her widows cap,
and assumed widows rights over
her property and years went by, and
the boys grew tall, and the girl wore
her mothers smile, but Charles Han
del thought her less charming. She
never coaid be so sweet woman as
her mother was, he believed.
The few penetrating women had
been right. He had never ceased to
Love Lottie; he loved her still. He
knew also-what no one else knew
that her married life had been a DIS
appointment. Jim had cared for her
q great deal for awhile. But the end
OF his loving had come speedily, and
henceforth she had been the woman
who cooked his dinners, and washed
his dishes, and nursed his children,
and little more.
Now, as the years went by, Charles
began to feel that hope he scarcely
dared to cherish at first was growing
stronger; that Lottie cared something
for him at last. She had been a widow
ten years; surely there was nothing
wrong in his telling her his heart at
once.
One evening he went out to the old
farm with q purpose IN bis heaFt. He
found Lottie alone. The boys and
their sister had gone to singing school
together. She sat by the Preside,
knitting, and he drew his chair close
TO hers, and the soft light Of FIRE and
candle, the silence Of the country win
ter night, her beauty---for she was
very fair to look upon still---and, most
of all, the kindly looks she gave him,
made that easy to say which had
seemed to be so difficult.
He told her that he loved her and
had always loved her, and asked her
to be his wife. And, rather by looks
than words, be learned that, however,
II had been in the past, her heart was
his at last. Then he sat beside her,
and his arm lay about her waist, and
her head dropped upon his shoulder,
THE happiest part Of my life lies
before me. though / am forty" he
said. II believe I can make your
future happy also,' he said; and %
be spoke there came tapping upon
the window-pane.
1.-THE children have come home"
said the mother, and, with tell.tale
blush upon her cheek, arose and
opened the door.
But the children, as abe called them,
were not without. Instead Of their
slight figures she saw the form Of q
man leaning against the door. She
looked closer, and started back with q
shrek, Cor he walked past her into
the room, and she saw that II was her
husband. Jim Handel.
He was older, Of course; his hair
was iron gray, and bic face was bioat.
ed, az q drunkArds always Il. He
staggered Q little and his speech wal
thick, but abe knew him, as 90 did hil
brother Charles. at onoe.
All he said wasl "Wsll, here I am
again"
Then be spread himself upon the
lounge and went to sleep, as tipsy men
do.
His wife and brother looked at him
with blanohed, terror.strioksn faces,
Al last the woman turned toward The
man, Goodbye he said. "aod help
us both"
And be kissed her hand and went.
Afterwards when the boys and her
girl came home, the mother told them
the strange nswn that their father had