The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-07-16
BACK TO LIFE.
The Sleep and Waking Of a
Troubled Bride.

The blue waters of the Shepscot rip
pied and flashed in the July sun
shine as it swept on, winding in and
ont among the scattered islands till it
reached the 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 riy-
er, where no work of mans hand as
yet broke in on it's wild beauty. The
old house had been thought a 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 delied the "tooth of time"
and us oapacious chimneys still gave
one 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 it's wood work
was yet in good state of preserya-
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 a 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 fish and boat houses near the water.
But as the afternoon wore on the sky
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, l declare, father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath,
chow it does rain! Who'd thought it
when twas so pleasant this after
noonP"
Captain MARROW rubbed the bald
spot ON his head reflectiyely as he re-
turned: ''Does pour, that's fact;"
then he added: 81 wonder if Eben cot
his hay in. There he is now" 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. Shot, he must
be Us wet as drowned rat, and his
hay, toon'
Eben represented the Marlow's near
est neighbor, whose home was but a
few rods from theirs. A lit lie later q
binding flash, accompanied by crash
OF thunder heavier than any preceding,
caused Mrs. NARROW to start UP from
her chair "Mercy!' she exclaimed.
al 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 Highfiycr had
long since outgrown the name from
others. He was beyond the reach of
this storm, but whatever else might
have befallep him who could tellp
"Yes," said Captain NARROW, in re-
sponse to his wife remarks, II dunno
when we've had such q 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
ITO be sure l do"
The storm continued with little
abatement. just us one peal of thun-
der died away an indistinct sound
reached the ears of the two people in
the long kitchen. They rega, ded 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
str ynge 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 amazement at the slight
white-robed figure. Tt 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 instinctively.
"Poor child" 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 fromp Are
you alonep" Mrs. NARROW asked, and
the girl answered with q shudder:
eyes, I'm alone"
Dear, dear, poor child! Let me get
you something warm"
Captain NARROW set about making a
fire in the cook-stove while his wife
took the stranger into the little bed
room. You're all beat out, !" the good
woman said, pityingly, you'd better
go right to bed. " The girl made no
remonstrance, but submitted quite
passively to whatever was proposed.
She took the warm drink Mrs. NARROW
brought her, and then the woman
went back to the warm kitchen and
said; Il declare, father, the poor things
completely beat out; she's asleep al
ready"
"shoF was the response. "Who is
she, Think"
The storm was forgotten while the
good people talked over this strange |
young creature who had so unexpeet- |
eddy come to them. Some half an hour !
later the woman went in to see that she |