Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-19

| out word, and he saw her enter the house
and close the door after her, and that was
the end. He would never coyie back any
more, no matter how patiently she might
wait and watch. He would never know
that he had a son, never look upon the lit
tie chubby face, with it's bold blue eyes
and sunny curls so like his own. From
| henceforth her heart and home were desc.
late.
And this was the anniversary of her
wedding day. Six years ago, and she was
happy bride. Five years she had been n
heartbroken widow. Her boy slept in his
little bed, and she sat there, thinking,
thinking, and gazing out at the low,
leaden sky and the wind tossed trees. The
night was closing rapidly-a night of
storm and darkness. The rain came down
in great smoking sheets, and the wild,
wailing winds rushed round the gables
and went shrieking over the hills like hui
man souls in agony. Her heart ached with
adesolation that seemed almost insupport-
able Life was so hard, yet for the boys
sake she must endure and live on.
She looked down at her sable garments
| with hot, binding tears. Six years ago,
and she was robed in gems and blossoms.
His face, his very voice, seemed to come
| back to her, and she fancied that his spirit
must be near her No matter how high
above her, how happy, she knew that he
loved her still, and his glorifed spirit may
have left its home of bliss to keep with
her that sacred anniversary. The fancy
consoled her beyond expression. She
! glanced over at tho sleeping boy, with a
dim hope that his father loved and watch
ed over him. Then sudden impulse shot
across her mind. She would not keep tho
anniversary of her wedding day in tho gar
ments of widowhood; she would put on
the robe he loved. If he knew aught Of
her poor, sad life he should see how sacred
ly she remembered and observed his sim
plest wishes.
Stealing up to her chamber, she took
| out the mauve silk and the dainty laces,
growing yellow and timeworn, and
pretty jet and gold ornament and ar
rayed herself as in days gone by, and the
old bloom came back to her checks and
| the brightness to her eyes, and she seemed
to drop her years and her widowhood and
to spring out afresh into the rare beauty
of her carly maidenhood. Thus arraycd,
she went down softly and seated herself
before the blazing fire, her face fearful
and expCctant If his soul were near, and
she chung to the hope that it was as she
chung to life, he should see how tenderly
she remembered him.
The anniversary night wore on, wild
and dark with Storm and still the poor
wife, half dazed by her terrible sorrow,
sat by her lonely hearthstone, robed in her
festive garments. At last there came
step without, a sharp, inpatient step on
tho gravel, but she did not hear it. A
weary, travel worn man, bronZed by OK
posture and pale with long endured grief,
came up to the front entrance and pause
beneath the low window. Through the
parted curtains shone the ruddy freight,
revealing tho warm, attractive room-thC
old, familiar room, with his hat upon the
wall and his books and meerschaum on
tho mantel, unmoved, as he had left them.
Revealed the kitten purring on the rug
and the littlo curtained bed in the dis
tance and the dear, sweet face, wet with
tears, and the dress he loved in happy
days, that seemed too far back to the poor
wanderer to be real.
Was it all dream? Was that the vito
from whom no had so long been parted
whose face had been present with him
through dll HIS lOucly uOuIS vi peIll anu
Imprisonment? Was she waiting and
watching and keeping his home bright
for his returnH
He left tho window, stole softly to the
porch and approached the side door. He
raised the latch. 1t opened, and he stood
upon the threshold.
Intent upon ker musings, her own sweet
memories and sad reflections, Maud heard
no sound. Her heart was far back with
the husband she loved so well. The old
dress had revived old associations, and his
very presence seemed around and about
her. She looked up, with clasped hands
and streaming eyes
"Oh, Harry! Oh, my husband" she