Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-08-05
A DECREE OF DESTINY,
S@&@I&G 4 &&S<S,

"Hov does man feei VINO Is dehuE
When HARDY Lawrence put this Ques-
ton 10 himself, be answered it by
shruy OF his broad shoulders and n
clench OF his right hand which showed
that no was very much alive. Then
his brow clouded, and he strobe on
faster 20 the little town In the wood
where he had lived as man aEd boy
where the news OF his death preceded
him.
"Row does q man ieel-heIlol" He
was about asking himself over again
the question that could never have an
answer when he was stopped short by
some one coming toward him In the
bend In the road. and the next moment
he sto, face TO face with young girl.
"Sweetheartv'
Tho girl gave wild scream, then
stood mute and motlonless before him.
II have come back.
Still she did not speak Her face was
pale and her eyes Fixed. but she showed
no sense OF having heard him.
"Hgve you no word OF welcome?'
"You are dead" she said slowly. In
voice that did not sound to her like her
own. lyon are dead, and cannot come
back"
1t was cruel and awful IN It's pltilsss
inslstence.
Yes" answered tho man slowly
"you are right. am dead and had no
call 20 come back"
Then be stretched his arms out as VI
10 embrace her, and she did that pretty
trick so familiar to him, ducked her
head low. and ran from under his clasp.
and was gone-not laughing aud look
ing back, as was her won't, but nylng
with scared face out OF his reach.
pHe pulled himself together again,and
went on. A man was cOmtng 10 meet
him. Hardy said good evsning. aud the
man, looking at him carelSssly mo-
ment, responded, adding the word that
villagers use 10 those they have never
seen before stranger.
They say there Is no love like moth
err love. The boy used TO play with
did not know me. Ny sweetheart told
me that was dead. / will try my
mother"
He had informed himself OF her sur
yiyal-he knew she had heard OF his
death from the slow poison OF the mines.
HOW WOulu sue icei Wubh SUI -" "'"'
come In alive and well.
III he had been wiser no would have
hesltated about putting her To such an
ordeal. II tho mystery OF death bad
impressed him ss It does the most OF Us,
he would have shrunk from emerging
out Of the shadow In which doctors
telegram had lost him year before.
But TO him dying was as natural as
being born. He had not lot them
know no had recovered, just to be able
10 give them the JOY OF this surprise.
His brother met him on the threshold
OF home. lie was going In. as In the old
DAYS and his right was at once chal-
lenged.
Have you business 10 this house,
irieod?"
"Friepdv That soothed him, but the
words we're curt and he found IL hard
10 make an excuse.
al wish TO sss-your mother"
"Come 10, then. Down, Tovser.
Don't mind the dog; he's old and harm
less" this apologetlcally. for the dog
was whining and demonstrative. Ths
dead man saw that IL was so with Joy.
He could not be so very dead, then
Towser recognized him. and was glad.
Bnt tho mother did not. He made q
nretense OF buying some woodland lots.
but both mother and brother resented
the idea that their lots were for sale
10 any stranger who might happen
along.
They belonged to my son, Hardy.
who 10 dead; / shall not sell them, tbs
mother said. without any emotion Ia
her voice. and they did not ask him TO
sit down. and attributed the uheasl-
ness OF the deaf aud purbiind dog 10
another cause-suspicloD.
SO he left them and walked awsy.and
they had to lock up the dog 10 prevent
him from following the suspicious
stranger.
Late that night Hardy Lawrence
returned 20 his room Ia the village
tavern aud looked az himself In the
glass.
chow doe. a man look who is desd?"
he asked cheerful y, and gave himself
careful scrutiny.
The next morning be did not rise, and
when they inquired after him be was
really dead, having slept the sleep that
knows no waking. and 10 made no lliiis
gossip and comment, because II was noi
even a case OF suicide. so far - any
body could fud out.
They buried him az strangers are
buried. with scant ceremony bot 10
cir OF earth that bis own money had
paid for when bis effects were sod.
When the old mao who was rounding
on the turf finished his work woman,
Young and timld, stepped up and slip
red some money into bis hand.
ITO keep his grave cieac." sbe said.
and was gone.
Being dead be could never know IL
bnt perhaps 10 was Just as well.
New Fad la Diet.