Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-07-03


mains to their last resting place.
IL was an impressive scene, the
towering background Of mountains and
forest. the struggling town and the
brawny men in dannel shirts and top
boots with pistols on their hips. stand
ing beside the open grave, at whose
head stood the pals-faced girl In her
uncouth dress. all listening with sol
emn faces while Gaines read chapter
from . pocket Bible and spoke . few
words setting forth the briefness Of
life and the lesson which the patiently
endured suffering through which the
dead man had passed contained for
them all Then they consigned his
body TO the dust and quietly dispersed.
''Come. dear" said Gaines TO Barb,
who stood still at the head Of the new
made grave. "let US 60. You have q
question TO answer for me. and your
utter loneliness, forgive me, dear, IL I
pain you. makes IL imperative that you
should answer it now"
The girl seated herself upon the grave,
with white. set face. turned away
from the speaker. but made no answer.
Gaines bent over her as IL TO assist
her TO rise. Come. dear" he said again,
firmly but gently.
She flung ont her arms with gesture
OF passionate entreaty
leave me alone with himr' she cried,
''only a little while, or my heart will
break. Come to me tonight" and she
made a gesture IN the direction of her
home. IAN I'll answer you, but not
now. OH not now!''
Gaines bowed his head In assent,
awed by the intensity of the girls feel
ings. and left her alone with her dead
The shadows Of evening were falling
when Barb YEARLY and slowly climbed
the slope upon which stood the two
cabins She saw as she neared Capt.
Georges that the curtain before the
window was rolled up and the door
stood ajar.
ut is sold," she said to herself, and
slow step slower.
When she entered the low door Of her
own cabin her heart gave a throb of
terror, for, In front of the empty fire.
place. in her fathers chair. sat figure.
She sank into . seat, gazing with d.
lated eyes. The figure rose and with
outstretched arms approached her.
Little 'un," said familiar voice,
"I'm sorry for We from my heart
heard about it in the town, my poor
Barb"
1t was he. George, the only one In all
the world who could comfort the girl in
her grief.
She stared at him a. Il he were an
apparition.
''Is-can it bc-you?" she murmured
"Indeed it is" he said, grasping her
hand heartily.
''But where is she-your-your wife?"
IL have no wife. Barb; have had
trouble, too, my girl"
''She is not-dead?" gasped Barb.
sinking back into her chair.
George drew his own chair to Barb's
side. He saw that she was suffering
under q mental strain that might prove
disastrous If her mind were allowed to
dwell upon her grief. His resolution
was quickly made: he would tell her
his own story. She would sec by that
illustration that death is q light sorrow
compared to others that must DO en-
dured by the human race.
"She is dead to me. Barb. and II was
Ray. my own brother. that have loved
and cared for all his life. that took her
from me-"
Then he told her Of his long journey,
his eager JOY at sight OF the old famil-
lar village, Of the marriage ut which he
was an unbidden guest, his sclf-strug-
gle and self-conqucst; told her how he
had lain all night upon his mothers
grave wrestling and praying. and final
ly how he had come back. beggared in
hope, fortune and love, 70 live and die
in the shadow of his bitter disappoint-
ment
When he had done, Barb, who had
shed no tears when her own heart was
breaking. who had stood with dry eyes
beside her fathers grave unable 70
weep, felt the Good-gates Of her soul
opened for the sorrows Of the man she
loved
She knelt upon the floor at Georges
feet, she kissed his rough hands and
wept-oh, for her bruised heart how
she weptr-for the falseness of Agncs,
for the ten years Of struggle, and for
Capt. Georges crucifed trust
She called him tender names In her
excitement. "the noblest, the best, the
truest of all men," and as she wept for
him. George saw q great light break
through the gloom which hung over his
life.
A 10y. unlike anything he had ever
felt even in his youth when he FIRST
loved Agnes. thrilled him, and spoke in
the tones of his voice rs be raised Barb
In his arms. and clasped her close to his
heart
Barb. my dear love. the hand of God
IL In everything" he said II was like
the old prophet in the story. Travelled
a thousan' miles 70 pick certain
flower. an didn't End II, for all the
while II was CROWN. all unbeknowu 70
me. right by my own doorstep"
Barb hid her face upon his breast
"'Tis yen love. little 'un. you that
drawed me back. fer I fen that
couldnr I've. less told you. an bad
yer sympathy. I didn't know II was
love. but know II now, an thank the
Almighty that He didn't curse me with
my hearts desire. a. the good Book
says
"wn re marry me. Bare7-
Gaines came slowly toward the cabin.
his soul full ~ sweet expectation. lie
thought that the moonlisht had never
been 81 lovely. the odor Of the safna-
ranks rpnninted him II tho incense