Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-28
AFTER FIVE YEARS.

| OA4 years tludJ1 Vuoe . AOA6 sAAAo'
sighed Maud Merlin, sinking into the low
seat by the window and pressing her sad
white face against the glass. "Ah, me, how
happy 7 was, but it is all over. shall
never DO happy again"
Her dark eyes ovorfowed with tears,
apd hcr memory went back to the old
home OF her childhood, the great, ram
bling country house, with its spacious
rooms and blazing fires and large hearted
hospitality. She could see the old garden,
with its winding borders and cool retreats,
and catch the sweet odor Of the pinks, and
the drowsy murmur Of the bees, and there
was the woodbine arbor, beneath which she
and Harry had sat so often together. How
well she remembered one evening above
all others-an evening In royal June. The
air heavy with spicy odors and full
moon pouring down its clarifying light
upon the snowy pillows OF orchard bloom,
and the long hedges Of crimson roses
weighed down by their own intense per-
Ifume On that evening she had listened to
the story that has been so often repeated,
but which never grows old. MAUD, my
darling, love you. Will you be my wife,
She recalled the very words, she seemed to
hear his dear voice and see his tender
eyes Tho betrothal ring was still upon
her finger, just as he put 1T there that
night and beside it another, even yet
more sacred, her wedding ring.
And this stormy, desolate night was the
anniversary. Six years ago and the old
homestead had rung with music and rev.
elry. Every window blazed with light,
and every broad hearthstone glowed with
flaming logs. For on that night, robed in
white and adorned in blossoms as spotless
and sweet as her own virgin heart, Maud,
sole daughter of house and heart, and
beauty and belle wherever she went, be-
came bride.
Bidding farewell to the old homo and
the old friends, Maud went forth with her
husband, thenceforth and forever to be
the light Of his home and the inspiration
of his life.
One year-one short, sweet happy year,
that went by like some rare, rich, melody,
without n single note of discord to break
it's divine perfection, and then tho trouble
came. Tho bare remembrance Of it
lblanched tho wife's checks and made her
breath come in quick, painful gasps At
the close of that short, happy year of her
welded life her husband received informa-
ton concerning tho illness Of an only
brother residing In California. He was
dying of O slow but sure disease and
wished to see his brothers face once more.
Harry Merlin did not hesitate an instant.
The path of duty was plain-he must 60
Maud entrcated to be permitted to accom-
pany him, but he was inexorable The
risks and hardships were too great.
Left alone, Maud was not the woman to
give way to dependency. 1t was her ma
ture to keep her face to the sun. She kept
herself busy with the duties of her house
hold, and at last the dreary days went by
and tidings from Harry came. He was
safe at tho journeys end, but his brother
was dead, leaving Harry, however, the in
heritor of considerable fortune. just as
soon as his business matters could be ar
ranged, Harry wrote, he would start for
home. Soon after second mail came
bringing intelligence that Harry, in com
pany with quite party of brother travel
ers had set out, taking the overland route
Maud counted thu days with throbbing
Impotence. The parting had been SO long
She pined to see his dear face and hear
his voice onco more. She worked from
morn till night, filling tho rooms with lit
tie ornaments and getting up little sur
prises against his return. She cultivated
the flowers he loved and sang the ballads
he admired. Never did woman count the
passing moments with such loving expec-
tation. At last the day came. She had
received no further intelligence, but she
felt sure hat no would come.
Tho ra1liug was IN spring, genial and
b1lmy, their little homo n wilderness of
blossoms. Sho prepared his supper with
b..r han ha hn
with tho flowers he loved and even laid
out his gown and slippers and drew his
armchair beneath the window. Then she
went to her chamber and put on the dress
he liked to see her wear--a mauve silk,
with dainty laces at the throat and wrists,
and jet and gold ornaments, her flossy
brown hair held back by sprays Of hello
trope and sweet verbena. Surveying her.
self in the mirror, she smiled and blushed,
remembering his words when she had first
worn the dress.
"Oh, Maud you are so beautiful! AL
ways wear this dress, darling, when you
wish to please me!'
The May sun wheeled lower and lower
and at last went down, leaving the earth
wrapped in the dusky mists of twilight.
Maud began to grow impatient. She lit
the lamps in the parlor and then went out
to the porch to wait He surely would
Gomez he would not disappoint heri The
golden tints of day faded like the colors Of
a dream. Tho stars came out one by one
in the hazy luster Of the sky, and then the
moon arose, coming up grandly above the
purple sleeps. Still he had not come, and
the poor wifes heart began to grow sick
with hope deferred. Another hour, and
then, above the murmurous music of the
might, she heard sharp step upon the
gravel and started to her feet, flushed and
Ibreathless, but the next instant she fell
back, pale with disappointment, for the
step was not his--she knew that long be-
fore the person came in sight. He had ad-
vanced toward the porch where she sat with
a slow, uncertain step, observing which,
and recognizing him as one Of her neigh
Ibors, she advanced to meet him.
Mr. Rutherford, Is 1t your am look
ing for my husband. What do you think
can detain him'''
The man stood still, his face full Of
silent, unspeakable pity. Something In
his expression caught her quick eyes, and
she sprang forward and grasped his arm.
'Mr. Rutherford, you bring me tidings.
Speak; don't keep me in suspense"