Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-03-31

/ 10 the little ones.
Accustomed as l was to her quiet
demeanor, | was surprised one morn
ing to see her enter the breakfast
room with a hot flush on her cheek,
and in her eyes a restless glitter that
told Of troubled mind and a wake
full night. | asked no question, how
ever, but waited until the children
left the room, when suddenly she
came hurrying toward me threw her
self upon my footstool, and buried
her tears in the folds OF my dress
MARY, darling Mary, what is it p
said l, tenderly smoothing her hair.
"Oh, Mrs. Gray, do not think me
wild she cried do not reprove lne
for nv folly-but know that Frank
is still alive. All night l heard his
voice calling. Wife, wife" He is
not dead l have never believed
that he could die and leave me.
What will become OF me if do not
find my poor Frank, who needs me so
much, and calls for ne with SO much
longing?'
She seemed so excited, and so un-
like her usual quiet self, that l was
half afraid to dispute her, although |
pitied her for the sad delusion.
My dear little sister said sooth-
ingly, you are broken down with
care and grief, and dreams have
troubled your poor tired brain.
| Strange fancies come to us all when
we are out Of sorts, you know. Will
you not rest to-day and try to over
come this restless fancy p
She raised her face toward mine
and YEARLY sighed.
1t was no fancy, dear friend, |
cannot prove 1t, but know it is true.
Frank is alive andi called for me last
night
Then with a look Of patient grief,
she arose and left me- All day she
seemed to be thinking deeply, aud to
avoid the presence OF the family,
even Of her baby boy.
Next morning was shocked to see
the drawn lines about her mouth, and
the haggard eyes that told Of another
sleepless night. She came down TO
breakfast with that strange air OF eI
element about her, and all through
| the day she moved about as one who
hears a far off voice, unheard by
| other ears.
At sunset We sat together, after the
little ones had gone to sleep, when
suddenly the peal Of the door bell
rang through the silent house
Mary sprang to her feet, her slender
figure drawn to its full height, her
fading sun indeed, she seemed TO ne
face set and intense in the rays Of the
as the embodiment OF an eXpectant
hearer. 1t was but moment before
the door OF our room was opened and
a rough but kindly voice spoke to US.
Does Mrs. Frank Hunter live
here Can speak to her p
She sprang past me with a cry, to
meet the man who stood there, all
travel stained and dusty.
"Oh, sir, do you come from my
husband? Oh, have you come to
take me to him p
well, upon my word, that is the
truth = said the man, ,dra wing q long
breath of surprise.
No doubt he had come expecting to
be met with disbelief, or at least that
he would have to 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 lie hired out
with us mighty nigh two years ago.
When he came to our place .he was a
lonesome looking sort Of "A chap, the
boys used to pity him, for he 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 suddenly took down sick with a
fever. He lay in his bunk, moaning
sorter stupid like, not speaking a
word for several days But two
nights ago, as was sitting by him \
watching to see il he wanted a drink
or any such thing, all Of sudden he
raised up in bed, and called out,
Wife, wife two or three times
as natural as you please.
WHO are you calling, Frank ?
said l.
why, I'm calling Mary, my wife,
OF course isn't Mary here ? and he
looked around and called again
several times.
Il hardly knew what to do or say
for fear OF making him restless, 20 |
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 a very long
time. Presently he glanced up, and
his eyes seemed more quiet and
natural than / had ever seen them.
He said
Joe, / AIN too weak TO tell you
about it. but / have a wife. She
must be at Greenfield. Won't you go
and bring her TO me ?
Now | didn't know what to think
or do, for | thought that surely a
man who bad given his wife the
bounce for nigh onto two years must
be queer sort Of feller, or else she
uust he q queer sort Of q wife, so