Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-11-22
after Five Years.

''Six years to-day! What a long
time!" sighed Maud Merlin, sinking
into the low seat by the window and
pressing her sad white face against
the glass. "Ah, me, how happy /
was; but It'll is all over. l shall never
be happy again"
Her dark eyes overhowed with
tears, and her memory went back to
the scenes of her childhood, the
great, rambling 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
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 a
full moon pouring down it's glorify-
ing light upon the snowy pillows of
orchard bloom, and the 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, ! love you. viii 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 as he put it there that night,
and beside 1T 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 revelry. 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. and the beauty and belle
wherever she went, became a bride.
Bidding farewell to the old home
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--o 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 it blanched the 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 the illness of an only
brother residing in California. He
was dying Of slow but sure disease,
and wished to see his brothers face
once more. Harry Merlin did not
hesitate an instant. The path Of du-
ty was plain-he must go. Maud en-
treated to be permitted to accompany
him, but he was memorable. The
risks and hardships were too great.
Left alone Maud was not the wom-
an to give way to dependency. 1t
was her nature to keep her face to
the sun. She kept herself busy with
the duties OF her household, and at
last the dreary days went by, and
tidings from Harry came. He was
safe at the journeys end, but his
brother was dead, leaving Harry,
however, the inheritor OF a consider
able fortune. Just as soon as his
business matters could be arranged,
Harry wrote, he would start for
home. Soon after second mail
came, bringing intelligence that
Harry, in company with quite a
party OF brother travellers, had set
out, taking the overland route.
Maud counted the days with throb-
bling impatience. The parting had
been so long. She pinned to see his
dear face and hear his voice once
more. She worked from morn till
night, filling the rooms with little
ornaments and getting up little sur
prises against his return. She culti-
waited the flowers he loved and sang
the ballads he admired. Never did
woman count the passing moments
with such loving expectation. AT
last the day came. She had received
no intelligence, but she felt sure
that he would come.
The evening was in spring, genial
and balny, their little home will
derness of blossoms. She prepared
his supper with her own hands, she
adorned the rooms with the flowers
ne 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, q mauve
silk with dainty lace at tho throat
and wrists, and JET and gold orna-
ments, her flossy brown hair held
back by sprays OF heliotrope and
sweet verbena. Surveying herself