Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-12-01
After Five Years.

six years to-day! What a long
timel' sighed Maud Merlin, sinking
into the low seat by the window and
pressing her sad white face against
The glass. "Ah, me, how happy I
was; but IL IL all over. shall never
be happy again."
Her dark eyes ovcrfowed with
tears, and her memory went back to
the scenes Of her childhood, the
great, rambling country house, with
Sc spacious rooms and blazing fires
and arge.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
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 glorify-
ing light upon the snowy pillows Of
orchard bloom. and tho long hedges
OF crimson roses, weighted down by
their own intense perfume. On that
evening she had listened to the story
that has been SO often repeated but
which never grows old. Maud, my
darling, l love you. win you be my
wife?" She recalled the very words,
she seemed TO hear his dear voice,
and see his tender eyes. The be.
trothal ring was still upon her finger
just rs no 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 revelyy. Every window
blazed with light, and every broad
hearthstons glowed with flaming
logs For on that night, robed In
white and adorned In blossoms rs
spotless and sweet as her own virgin
heart. and the beauty and belle
wherever she went, became bride.
Bidding farewell to the old home
and the old friends, Maud went forth
with her husband, thenceforth and
forever to DO 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 a single note OF
discord to break its divine perfection,
and then the trouble came. The bare
remembrance OF 1t blanched the wife
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 the illness OF an only
brother residing In California. lie
was dying OF slow but sure disease
and wished to see his brothers. face
once more. Harry Merlin did no,
hesitate an instant. The path of du
ty was plain-he must 60. Maud en-
treated to DO permitted to accompan!
him, but he was memorable. The
risks and hardships We're too great.
Left alone Maud was not the WON
an to give way to dependency. !
was her nature to keep her face tc
the sun. She kept herself busy will
the duties OF her household, and "a
last the dreary days went by, ant
: tidings rom Harry came. He wa
safe at the journeys end, but hi
brother was dead, leaving Harry
however, the inheritor OF a consider
able fortune. Just as soon as hi
business matters could be arranged
Harry wrote, he would start 70
home. Soon after a second ma
came, bringing intelligence tina
Harry, in company with quite
party OF brother travellers, had sc
out, taking the overland route,
Maud counted the days with throi
hing impatience. The parting Ina
been so long. She pinned to see h
dear face and hear his voice one
more. She worked from morn ii
night, filling the rooms with HIT
ornaments and getting up little su
prises against his return. She cult
waited the flowers he loved and san
the ballads he admired Never d
woman count the passing momen
with such loving expectation. d!
last the day came. She had receive
no intelligence, but she felt su
that he would come.
The evening was in spring, genl
and balmy, their little home W
derness OF blossoms. She prepare
his supper with her own hands, 81
adorned the rooms with the iiowe
he loved, and even laid out his gov
and slippers and drew his armch'
beneath the window. Then she we
to her chamber and put on the DIRE
he liked 10 see her wear, inan
silk with dainty lace at the thre
and wrists. and jet and gold orr
ments, her fossy brown hair hi
back by sprays Of heliotrope a
swest verbena. Surveying hers
In fha mirror. abe smiled and Llushl