Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-11


 sh;s.;owing grief. Not word had ford since the letter that told her he had joined Lopez. The drcary list of Crittcnden's men, slaughtered by Spanish vollcys after their surrender, was published in the papers; her lovcr's name was not in it. Other lists followed, of captive fiiibustcrs de- ported to Spain in irons. for whom the American Government was making in- tercession, but he was not named among them. She was heavy -hcarted. and yet hopeful. His cruel silence seemed like the silence of the grave, yet she had no positive intelligence of either his deaHl or his captivity, and hope with her was beacon that never expired.
 The days went on till October was well-nigh spent. On one of those gold en afternoons, Helen sat in her room alone. She had been reading for the thousandth time that last letter of her beloved; she had kissed it again, and cried over it. The strong, passionate yearning of her heart went out to him over seas and lands; she could not, would not, think him dead.
 Her aunt rapped at her door. and entered.
 ~Helen,' she said, ''there's poor -yagabond-looking fellow down below in the parlor who insists on seeing you. He looks as if he wanted charity; but couldn't get rid of him by offer ing him half dollar. He was so ear- nest about it that finally let him in."
 II suppose it's one of my Province town sailor-friends," Helen replied. "Pll go down."
 The stranger attempted to rise as she entered the parlor. He walked with two canes, but seemed so feeble that they could not support him in his attempt
 Pray. don't rise," Helen said. "What do you wish?"
 II have walked too far," the man said. His voice was weak, his faco was wan and hollow; but there was fire in his eye that spoke of the inva- lids ambition to be away from the sick-room. II am not long out of the hospital; the doctor says l should not be out yet"
 What do you wishp" she asked again, touched by his appearance and manner.
 ..I was directed to Miss Helen Willis,'' he said. You arc the lady, suppose? We'll, miss, I've been in Cuba: I've seen rough times there with she flibusters; there were not many of IS got away. Not knowing from one day to another if we should ever see home again, we used to give each other messages to carry for us. There was one fellow hSavezme some word for you; and now it is curious can't think which one it was"
 "Crawford?'' was her breathless question. 70, yes; Henry Crawford; I remc,n- ber now. An ordinary kind of fel- 1 loW''-
 ''Sir, you must speak respectfully of him, if you talk to me! Where is hep' d-Crawford-let me see," :" 1 the man unused. 1.-The fact is, miss, it is not easy to remember names among several hundreds. hope he escaped. as l did. Haven't you heard from him lately?"
 "No-not word. You have some- 1 thing to tell me of him; why don't you tell itp If he is dead. say so, and end ,uy misery" '.No, miss; he's not dead" ''Wherc is he?"
 "The last saw of him he was walk | ing along the streets of Boston inquir- ing for an address that he got at Provincetown. so he could find Helen Willis.''
 She came up close to him and looked into his face. How could she know him? how tell that the poor, wasted creature before her was the strong. handsome lover who had bidden her farewell here less than three months before?
 ''Is it you, Henry?' she asked, amid her tears.
 'I must be sadly changed, Helen, when your eyes don't recognize me. But every thing seems changed to me of late; I hardly knew the house where we parted"
 She took him in her arms; she wept over him tears of mingled sorrow and joy. Sorrow for his sufferings, joy that he had returned to her.
 An hour later they were sitting there together. Her mother and aunt had been with them; they had brought him refreshment and cheered him with their sympathy and kindness. He had briefly told them of the fate of the bark and its Captain, and his own rescue from the burning deck by the boat o1 an English ship; of his being carried into Nassau and being placed in the hospital, from whence, barely conva lescent, he had come to New York against the advice of the doctors. Al Provincetown he had learned of the events that had caused Mrs. Willis and her daughter to leave it; and impatient above all to see Helen, he had hurried on to Boston.
 Thus far the strength of hope, the wings of love had held him up agains