The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-01-18


seem to think of doing so-to go back to
that home now 50 sadly desolste. So fo-
nearly two years she lived with rs, a
loving sister to the elders, a tender teach
er TO the little ones.
Accustomed as was to her calm de-
meaaor, was surprised one morning to
see her enter the breakfast room with a
hot flush en- her cheek, and in her eyes
a restless glitter that told of troubled
mind and a wakefal night. l asked no
question, however, nut waited until the
childsen left the room, when suddenly
she came hurying toward me, threw
herself upon my foot stool, and buried
her tears in the folds of my dress.
"Mary, darling Mary, what is it -
said I, tenderly smoothing her hair.
"Oh, Mrs. Cray. do not think me wild,
she cried, do not reprove me for my
lolly-but I know thst Frank is still
alive. All night heard his voice, call
ing, 'wile, wifeF He Is not dead, l
have never believed thai he could die
and leave me- What viii become Of me
if DO not find my poor Frank, who
needs me so much, and calling for me
with so much longing? ?"
She seemed 50 excited, and so unlike
her usual quiet self, that was halfafraid
to dispute her, although l pitied her for
the sad delusiOn.
MY dear little sister, said l, sooth-
ingly, ~yoa are broken down With care
and grief, and dreams have troubled your
poor tired brain. Strange fsncies come
to US ali when we are out of sorts you
know. viii you not lest to-day, and
try to overcome this restless fancyT
She raised her face toward mine and
wearily sighed.
1T was no fancy, dear friend, cannot
prove. it, but 1 know it is true, Frank
is alive and called for me last night
Then, with look of patient grief, she
rose and left me. All day she seemed to
be thinking deeply, and to avoid the
presence Of the family, even Of her baby
boy.
Next morning I was shocked to see the
drawn lines about her mouth, and the
hsggered eyes that told of another sleep
less night. She came down 70 breakfast
with that strange air ofexcitement about
her, and all through the day she moved
about as one who hears far of voice
unheard by other ears.
At sunset We sat together, after the
little ones had gone to sleep, when sud
denly the peal of the do0r-bell ran
through the silent house.
Mary sprang TO her feet, her slender
figure drawn to its full height, her face
set and intense in the rays OF the fading
sun indeed, she seemed TO me as the
embodiment ofan exPectant he@rer. Ii
was but a moment beiSre the door of our
room was opened and rough but kiad-
ly voice spoke to Us:
Does Mrs. Frank Hunter live here?
Can l speak to herr
She sprang past me with cry, TO meet
the man who stood there, all travel
stained and dusty.
"0h, sir, do you come from nv hus-
band2 Oh, have you come to take me
to him2"
~well upon my word, that is the
TRUTH. said the man, drawing q long
breath of surprise.
No doubt he had come expecting TO be
met with disbelief, or at least that he
would have 10 prove his words. With
look of great relief he said,-
"Yes. have come from a man who
calls himself Frank Hunter. He is in
our camp, up in the Pineries, very sick
with brain fever. He hired out with US
nigh two years ago. When ne came to
our place he was a lonesome looking SOFT
Of chap the boys used to pity him, for
be never talked like he had any kin
above ground, or any friends, either. All
along he has been kind Of dull and slow
in his ways, and two weeks ago he sud
denly took sick with fever He lay in
his bunk. moaning sorter stupid ike, not
speaking a word for several days. But
two nights ago, as Was sitting by him a
watching 10 see if be wanted drink or
any such thing, all of sudden he raised
M in bed and called ouf-
"'Wifs, wife, two or three times as
natural as you please.
who ara you calling, Fnank p said I.
"'Why, I'm calling Mary, my wife, OF
course; isn't Mary hereT and he look
ed around and called again several times.
81 hardly knew what to do or say for
fear Of making him restless, 80 l said,-
Never mind, she'll come before long
@He lay there and looked at me, and
then clapped his hands to his head, and
was still for very long time. Presently
he glanced up, and his eyes seemed more
quiet and natural than / had ever seen
them. He said
Joe, l am too weak TO tell you about
it, but have wife She must be at
Greenfield. Won't you go and bring her
to me p
"NOw | lidn't know what to think OF
do, FOR thought that surely a man who
had given his wife the bounce for nigh
unto two years must be queer sort of
feller, or else she must be queer sort Of
a wife, so tried to put him OF, but bless
you, it was no use. The more begged
of the more excited he was, and l was
afraid be would go into fits, and maybe
die, and then I'd be to blame. Finally
says
90 don't believe your wife will come
with such looking codger as me; may
be she won't believe word say
~He kinder smiled at that, and said:
~' You only 90 and offer to bring her
to her husband. Tell her that Frank is
sick and wants her, and you'll ste
whether she won't come
"Well, of course couldn't stand that,
50 at break Of day started. rode fifty
miles 10 the nearest railroad station, and
here l am, ready to Start right back xiih
Franks wife"
Mary neither Eept nor tainted, bet
sank right down on her knees and pour
4