Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1886-07-22
BACK TO LIFE.
The Sleep and Waking OF e
Troubled Bride.

Troubled Bride.
The blue waters of the Shepscot rip
Piled and flashed in the July sun
shine as it swept on, winding in and
out among the scattered islands till il
reached tie broader expanse beyond
TN one of these islands and hardly =
stones throw from the river. stood al
old square house. 1t facet! the water
and looked toward the landing at the
further end OF the island across the riv.
er, where no work of mans hand a.
yet broke IN on its wild beauty. Tho
ola ho1sc had been thought hand
sorne mansion in its day. That wa,
more than a hundred years ago, but il
was good still, for its oakcn timber:
had SO far dcficd the '',ooth of time
and its capacious chimneys still gave
one a glimpse of the sky if he CHANGED
to look up. The square ''foreroon,''
at the left of the front entrance We,
gave some hint of its oid-time spicndor:
aeornlce not altogether devoid of ar
tIstlc finish ran around the ceiling. and
the dull blue paint of its wood work
was yet in good state of preserva-
ton.
The room opposite this was in more
comp>on use, but the long kitchen
opening from both was the usual win
Yer living room of the family. On this
July afternoon n light breeze, carry
ing with it the breath of the old-fash-
toned 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 hsh and boat houses near the water.
lirt as the afternoon wore on the sky
darkcned, distant thunders sounded
warningly now and then, till with the
twilight the breeze, grown to a sudden
gale, dashed the large rain drops
against the windows of the old house
which Mrs. NARROW was hurryinc to
close.
wall, L declare, father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath.
show 1T does rain! Who'd thought it
when twas SO pleasant this after.
n0Pn?"
Captain NARROW rubbed the bald
spot on his head refiectively as he re-
turned: "Does pour, that's a fact"
then he added: Il wonder if Ebcn 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!'
Eben 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. ''AIercy!' she exclaimed
~ 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 IIighiiycr had
long since outgrown the name from
Others. He was beyond the reach of
this storm, but whatever else might
have befallen him who could tell?
"YeS, said Captain NARROW. in re-
Spouse to his wife remarks, ii dunno
when we've had such a 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
your
TO be sure do"
The storm continued with little
abatement. Just as one peal of thun-
der died away an indistinct sonnd
reached the ears of the two people in
the long kitchen. They regarded each
other 9uestioningly for 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 stood a figure
strange to him. The next moment his
hospitality overcame every other feel
ing. and reaching out. he said: who
ever We are, come in"
Mrs. NARROW was by his side and
gazing in amaz,ment 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 clinging
about her neck. Mrs. Marlow's moth
erly arms stretched out instinctiyely.
Poor childn' she said, drawing her
into the room; ''why, father, she is wet
through and through"
1t was quite true: the water dripped
from the dainty. white dress and made
little pools upon the floor. She wore
no wrap of any kind. As yet she had
not spoken, but stood looking wonder
ingly about the room.
''Where did you come from? Are
you alone?" Mrs. NARROW asked, and
the girl answered with a shudder:
Eyes, I'm alone"
'.Dear. dear, poor child! Let me get
you something warm."
Captain NARROW set about making a
fro in the cook-stove while his wife
took the stranger into the little bed