Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-03-01

her own There had been more thar
one heart laid at her pretty feet, but Hat
tie was sure Harry would come back, ant
was well content to wait for him.
She was no. love-siek, pining girl
growing always for happiness missed
but healthy, sensible woman, who
lifted the cup of prosperity to grateful
lips, and in draining it, forgot not tt
share beautifully with those less for
tunate.
1t was rare in those days to see {
shadow on Tom Gordon's cheerful face
and so Hattie, perched upon the arm OF
his chair, was little troubled, too, as
she asked
''What is the matter?"
"Well, dear, I've got letter that
troubles me, and that's fact
"Business?"
"Oh, no, bless youl Business is that
good, it just about takes care of itself.
No, it is letter from-well, dearie,
from John Ingraham"
Two soft little hands took Tom
cheeks into captivity, while little fiut-
tering kiss fell on his forehead
Eyes, dearie, l know You love me
fond and true, but you've not forgot
Harry! Well, my treasure, if your pride
wants qualification you can give it one
now. Harry, he's been to Californy. a
working good, l guess, and he made a
fortin!'
"Yes?"
"But, " said Tom, rubbing his head,
che lost it again. And then he was very
sick, nigh dead, guess, and some of his
friends out there just listed him aboard
vessel when he didn't know what was
going on around him, and fetched him
home. Now, dearie, if you are going tc
cry like that, I'll have to stop"
But he did not, although Hattie had
slipped down into his lap, and was hid
ing her face on his shoulder, and crying
like child
II guess he was well loved out there,
for these fellows brought him to his
fathers, though he was weak as child
yet, and must have been a great care OF
the voyage. And so, there he is, and his
father writes to me to beg I'll let you see
him. Mind you, it's his father writes,
for Harry's that spunky, sick as he is,
that he don't want you to know he has
come back as poor as he went away. Sc
if you owe John Ingraham a grudge, you
can Just pay him. He's lost money,
Hattie, good deal Of money, l know,
or he'd never eat humble pie in this
fashion"
tYou will 60 with me, father2"
"H'm! So you mean to go2"
"You know [ would. Think of it,
father, five years of hard work, and Harry
never had to work beforel Five years,
when he might have been at home, in his
fathers favor if he would give me up.
And now, he will wait for me to speak,
because we are rich. Money is hateful!'
''Do you think so, dearie2"
''No, L don't. Money is lovely. It
gives you every comfort, and it will
smooth my way to Harry. You won t bt
cross to u.s."
"Was l ever cross to your
"Never, never, never! Now l will
ring for breakfast, and order the carriage
for the 1I:30 train Don't-dont YOU
think the pare, sweet air here might be
good for an invalid?'
"You ought to know, as you have had
a free hospital here ever since l bought
the house"
'Now, father, you know you were as
pleased as | was, when we could give
the poor girls who work so hard where
once worked, little holiday"
Tom Gordon did not deny the charge,
and was quiet ready to join Hattie, when.
in the most bewitching of walking
dresses, and coquettish hat, she came
to the carriage. She was very pale
though, and not quite her CHEEKY self
when the two entered the parlor of John
Ingraham's house. The proud, self -suf
fcient man of five years before was hum
bic enough as he came to meet them.
Il was sure you would come,n he
said "He is very weak to-day; doe;
not get his strength at all | told hin
you were coming. Tom, he is in the
room adjoining this; | fitted it up fol
him. May Hattie go in, while you stay
with me}"
Tom made sign of assent. 1t gave
him a choking sensation to see his ole
friends anxious. pleading face, and Hat
ties white cheeks. So, trying not tt
tremble, Hattie opened the door of the
next room and went in. In an arm chail
near the window was a gaunt, hollow
eyed, emaciated man, looking eagerly to
ward her.
Her heart seemed to stop beating
Could that be the handsome, brav,
young fellow whose arm had held he
once and again with the strong clasp o
protecting manhoods
Hattie, he said, feebly, "have yo,
indeed come to say farewell 1t was al
a failure, dear"
In moment her womanhood asserted
itself The pale cheeks flushed, the sof
eyes frightened, and stepping light,
across the floor, she put both little hand
upon the emaciated on Harry's lap, Will
her sweet lips met his own in hngenn:
kiss.
Il never babe you goodbye, Harry
even when you left ME, and now | say
welcome home. My love! my love! hov
could you stay away so many years3"
II heard of your prosperity, aud
wanted to come home rich-not the beg
gar | am "
Il was the beggar when you wrot
till death / am your betrothed hus
band. And, she continued, brightly
seeing that he was not able to bea
emotion, Il have the letter ready for
breach of promise case if you do no
keep your engagement. Father.n
Tom Gordon answered the call briskly
There was much discussion, some feebl
remonstranee, but the doctor highly ap
proving Of the change of air, arrange
ments wegN speedily made for journey
the most important of which arrange
ments was the performance of the mar
riage ceremony in the back parlor, afte
which Mrs. Henry Ingraham took com
mand of the invalid in manner ap
palling to the most energetic "woman'
rights" female.
But it was very happy family whic
settled down at last in the pleasant HON
that was the result of sales of ''Aun