Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-12-03

Blinded by the snow, he could SEQ
nothing ut first, but by and by he be-
came conscious of the cold hearth, the
awful silence and that the little house
was empty. 1t did not even hold n
corpse.
The wearied man sank down upon
chair and gazcd about him blankly,
despairingly.
The bed was neatly made, the floor
swept, everything was placed in its usual
orderly fashion, and her dress hung
upon the wall near him--the old brown
calico she had worn the last time he
had seen her.
Gone" he said, dazedly, "gone."
just then ono of the boys, who had
lowed him, entered.
What did you say, Charlie? is she
gone? Why, that couldn't be, she'd
never be such fool as to venture out
in that storm. If she did-poor fellow,
he's fainted!"
1t was some time before Charlie Dean
revived; he was very weary, and the
awfulness of what had been, through
his neglect, quite ovcrpowered him.
"Thcre, you're better, now," said his
friend. What do you think could
have caused her to leave the house,
and where did she go?"
II don't know, unless to the stable.
had left little corn there
'Charlic!" said his friend, sternly,
'.you never left your wife in such
condition."
But Charlie only nodded
81 expected to be home. you know
but don't look at me like that. I'm
punished enough. She's dead some
where under the snow, my poor little
Clare!"
They failed to find her; no corn was
missing, it is true, but they found
nothing to so much as point the way
whittier she had gone.
Charlie Dean was changed man
once more. To his boon companions he
said good. by, and many of them never
| forgot the silent pain in his eye, the
anguish that his whole face expressed.
Its not going to kill him." said the
friend who had been watching him to
see that he did nothing rash. mo, it's
going to make such u man out of him
as we never dreamed of; the one thing
that now has possession of him is
work, in order that he may forget It's
a good medicine. ! think I'll try some
myself"
Three years later, well-to-do. with
money to spare, for none of it was ever
sauandered now, Charlie Dean once
more sought the far away city where
he had first met and won his wife.
| A strange longing came over him to
once moro see that place, and travel
stained and bronzed, he walked by the
house, almost expecting to hear her
touch upon the piano, and the sound Of
her sweet voice.
Bewildered, amazed, half believing
| himself out of his head, he did hear
her voice once more.
There's man drunk leaning on the
fence" he heard strange voice ex-
claim.
Then the playing ceased, and voice
that almost caused him to faint Sec
ond time replied:
Drunken men are only too common.
Let him alone; some policeman will be
along presently"
Then the music struck up again, this
time into a wild galop Us if the players
WShS away "iSh hCA
but he's still there" continued the
strange voice. Hes peculiar looking;
do look out, Clare. l declare 1 feel
nervous"
Charlie stood up squarcly now,
pushed his hat back slightly and looked
full and straight into the eyes of his
wife.
She fell back with cry, the place
was empty, and scarcely knowing what
he did Charlie was turning away when
some one came flying down those steps
and-and, yes, had her hand in his. and
in a fearful voice was saying: 'Char.
lie, oh! Charlie. You've come ut lastv'
~ want to know" he said, when in
the cozy parlor, still clinging to he,
hand, 81 want to know how you goI
away from the ranch during that awfu
storm"
Clare flushed but answered uuhesi
tatingly:
cf the storm. You had left me almos,
nothing to eat, and really thought
should lose my mind if l remained ther.
, many more days al alone.
81 took the little money still pos
sessed, and started soon after you did
only went in an opposite direction.
| had scarcely reached the main trai
when two-horsc wagon came dashinl
up, the m.n--a stranger, but God bles
, him, for he saved my life-jumped ou
and snatchcd me up before | could sa,
'by your leave and away we tore lils
mad. The horses were very stron,
, and swift, and we seemed to outrid
the storm. We reached shelter at last
| just before its fury broke, and
, thanked him as best l could; then
when the roads We're clear, starte
. for my old home, but had TO stop an
, work awhile before got here. Aun
has never heard all the story; couldn'
/ talk of some things"
! ~ thought you dead" said Charlie
elf you could know how have sui
, fered. Oh, Clare, don't suppose yo
/ could forgive"