Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-05-16
Reunited at Last.

The blue waters OF Shepscot rippleG
and flashed in the August sunshine as
it swept on, winding in and out among
the scattered islands TIL it reached the
broader expause beyond. On one of
these islands, and hardly more than
stones throw from the river, stood an
old square house.
On this sultry August afternoon as
the day wore on the sky darkened, dis
tant thunders sounded warninglv now
and then, till with the twilight. the
breeze, grown to a sudden gale. dashed
the large rain drops against the WIN
dows of the old house which Mrs Mar
low was hurryng about to close.
"Well, / declare, father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath,
chow it does rain! who'd thought it
when twas so pleasant this after
noon?"
Capt. NARROW rubbed the bald spot
on his head retiectively as he returned,
docs pour, that's Il fact"
A little later binding flash, accom-
panied by crash of thunder heavier
than any preceding, caused Mrs Mar
low to start up from her chair
''Mercyn' she exclaimed, L pity any
poor creature that has to be out in
sais''
The storm continued with little abate-
snent. just as one peal of thunder died
sway an indistinct sound reached the
ears of the two people in the long
kitchen. They regarded each other
questloningly for moment; then there
was rattle of the doorlatch. Someone
outside were cropping for it in the dark
ness.
The man started MP and going to the
door threw it wide open to the storm,
but he stepped back us he did so, for
there on the door stone stood figure
strange to him. The next moment his
hospitality overcame every other feel
ing, and reaching out he said, Who
ever We are, come in"
Mrs. NARROW was by his side and
gazing in amazement at the slight,
whiterobed figure. 1t was Young
girl they had never seen before. There
was frightened, appealing look in the
brown eyes. The WIND and rain had
beaten upon her head till the dark,
curling hair was drenched and clinginp
about her neck. Mrs. Marlow's moth
erly arms stretched out instinctively.
Poor childn' she said. drawing her
into the room; "why. father, she is wet
through and through"
1t was quite true. The water dripped
from the dainty white dress and made
little pools upon the floor. She wore
no wrap of any kind. AS yet she had
not spoken, but stood looking wonder
ingIv about the room.
where did you come from? Are
you alOne?" Mrs NARROW asked, and
the girl answered with Il shudder, Yes,
I'm alone"
Dear, dear, poor child! Let me get
you something warm"
Capt. NARROW set about making a fire
in the cook stove, while his wife took
the stranger into the little bedroom
You're all beat out" the good woman
said pityngly; You'd better 90 right
to bed" The girl made no remon-
STRANGE, but submitted quite passively
to whatever was proposed. She took
the warm drink Mrs. NARROW brought
her. and when the woman went back to
the kitchen she said, II declare, father,
the poor things completely beat out;
she's asleep already"
Anxious days followed, while the
stranger tossed in the delerum of fe-
yer, and Mrs. NARROW cared for her as
tenderly us if she had been her own.
Poor child" she said, tears coming
into her eyes as she spoke, lit makes
tn Sh 1c
from all she loves"
There was no clew to the girls form
er life; no one on the island knew any
thing about her, and all inquiries else
where brought no knowledge. Mrs.
NARROW searched the girls clothing
but only one word was found and one
day she slipped ring from the wasted
hand and looked for some inscriptions;
there was only the word she had found
before, the name Kathleen.
The sufferer spoke often, but though
Mrs. NARROW strove to catch any words
that might lead to the discovery of who
she was there was but little that was
ineligible.
Sometimes she seemed to be wander
ing through some wood, and said that
the pine needles made soft carpet;
ut others she fancied herself on the wa
ter. and said she was so tired drowning
against the stream. Once or twice she
spoke the name of Everett, but that
was all
Poor child!' sighed the good wo-
man. when she gets well she will
tell us. and we will take her home"
But there were days when it seemed
that there was little reason to expect
her recovery, yet the crisis passed and
she still lived. Very white and weak
she was, her browf eyes looking I'M
naturally large, then a faint color come
into her face that grew rounded every
Gay. Mrs. NARROW forebore asking