The record-union., 1894-12-25


fortunes which had entered into his life,
both women had disappeared ami from
that day on not q trace OF them could be
found, though he had employed skilled
detectives III The search and had travelled
himself from one place to another. but
always with the same result
Ii he could but find the woman who
called herself his wife be would get di-
vorce from her and then be would be
free TO marry the woman whom he loved,
but had so unwlttiugly wronged; but so
far the search had been in vain. He was
disheartened and discouraged as he
thought of the past. The idea of suicide
entered his mind; it was not stranger
there, this gruesome thought; it had been
with him many Jimes since trouble and
sorrow mad come upon him, but he was
not a coward, and lie banished the
notion with scorn; but tonight, upon the
anniversary OF the tragedy of his life,
the thought seized upon him stronger
than ever and refused To be put down.
Death seemed very sweet and restful
after ali ne had been through, and he was
just about to yield, TO walk down the
bank to the river and throw himself in,
when low sObbing wall piercing the
solitude OF the street fell upon his ears.
He paused and listened, unable to locate
the sound in the fury Oh the gale. Again
II came. this time faint and low, as
though the effort Of making even this
low moan was too great to be borne. The
next instant the man had run down the
brink which separated the street from
the river and III the darkness almost
stumbled over crouching figure on the
other siCie.
lie called out, but received no reply.
Hastily lighting match and protecting
1t from the wind and rain in the hollow
OF his hand, he saw by the feeble, flicker
ing light that the figure was that Of a
woman. lie knelt beside her and en-
deavored to arouse her; the match in his
hand went out as he did so, but he had
just time enough to see a white, upUurned
lace, uEon which the rain was descending
with cruel and relentless fury. His heart
beat strangely and his hand shook so he
could scarcely find another match. The
WIND blew 1t out as he lit it. Some strange
fear took possession OF him. What hor-
rlDle discovery was he about to make?
AT last he succeeded in getting a light,
and in fear and trembling held it over
the Woman's face.
With great cry which rings far over
the lands he falls upon the PROSTATE body
and great sObs shake him from head to
loot. Hastily recovering himself, he feels
the Woman's heart; it is still and pulse
less. lie stOOpS and listens for her
breath; there is none, but half-mOcking
smile rests upon the still, pale lips; then
~ AiiO . ti-NhI NA4O NJuliu OGIOIO Al1Il is
deao; that nevermore can she be the
avenging Nemesis of MS life. Never
more can she come between him and his
love, for she Is dead, dead, dead; and as
the thought comes to him he stoops and
lmprlnts kiss upon the cold, mocking
lips which in life had cast only scorn and
opprobrium at him; but all that is forgot
ten in the sublimity OF death, and as he
does so the bells peal out their chimes
and Christmas day has dawned.
The storm Of last night has passed
away. From out OF blue and cloudless
SKY the sun shines in golden splendor
lHere IS nothing save an added sharp
ness in the air to tell that winter is at
hand. The streets are thrOnged with
happy-iaced people on their way to
church. All the world seems at peace
and rest, Tor the Christ child who was
born last night has difused his soothing
presence over all the world, and all man
KIND Is at peace. The body Of the woman
found at the rivers edge has been re-
moved to the morgue, and fully identified.
Alter hasty examination the doctor has
given his opinion that death was due TO
heart disease, but the autopsy viii not be
held until tomorrow.
once more the man is out among his
fellows, eagerly watching the passing
throngS-tor what, he cannot tell himself:
he only knows that since last night a
vague feeling of peace and quiet TO which
he has long since been stranger has
come over him, and while he is not alb
solutely happy still he is content. In
stinctiyely he wandered to the spot
where he had walked last night as in a
dream; he goes over the event OF the
previous night and suddenly he finds
himself al the very spot where he first
heard the feeble cry. lie climbs up the
high bank and again looks over; in the
very spot where last night lay the dead
woman there was standing another, but
this one, thank God, Is alive, and stands
with clasped hands looking out at the
river dancing and sparkling In the sun
shine. The man knew her in an Instant;
would he ever be able TO forget that well
loved face?
Very softly he climbs down the steep
bank so as not TO frighten her, and stands
beside her. She looks up and gives a lit
tie glad cry of recognition. and then
shrlnks from him as memory again as
serts Itself. Presently they were seated
together on the sanu, and the man tells
the story; tells of his love and his long
search, OF his suf1erings. OF his finding of
his wife so unexpectedly. As lie proceeds
his arm steals around her, and at the end
she IS sobbing softly on his shoulder
Presently she looks up her face all wet
with the tears so recently shed, like a
Hover washed with dew, thinks the man
as he ga2es at her great starry eyes the
tear-drops yet hanging to the long lashes,
and as heI head sinks on his shoulder and
her hanG steals in his he places the kiss of
reconciliation upon her lips, and as he does
50 the church bells are waiting to them
from far over the city, and the song they
sing in both their hearts is, Peace on
earth; good will toward man."