The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-20


the voyage to Halifax which was reached
In due time and without incident or
mishap. The kindness OF the English
captain procured Mr.. Cranston transpor-
tation to Boston, where he arrived O
week before Christmas.
Sad indeed was the news that awaited
him there, and for a moment he almost
wished that the cruel pirates had left him
to share the fate of the brave men who
went down with he burning Flora.
Mr.. Cranston learned that his wife had
for years mourned him as dead, and had
recently given her hand to another, Mr..
George Russell of Boston. Nor was this
all. He was informed that the wedding
was fixed for Christmas eve. and that Mr..
Russell was even then in Newport max
ing the final arrangements for the cere-
mony.
A sad and disheartening story this to
greet man after seven years OF terrible
torture. Forgotten, and by the wife he
had so fondly cherished. What "a cruel,
cruel fate. Discouraged, disheartened
and dispirited as he was, Mr. Cranston
determined to see for himsel: whether
he had so completely passed out of the
heart OF and the life of his wife as cir
cumstances seemed to indicate. Procuring
a horse he set out for Newport. 1t was
a cold and cherries journey, and so bad
were the roads that he did not reach his
native town until the day before Christ
mas, that day that was to see his wife
made the wife of another.
In those days there was no bridge con-
Meeting the island with the mainland,
and MIR. Cranston came over Howland's
ferry. Straight TO his own house he went
and entered by the rear door. There were
his own servants busily preparing for tho
wedding. They knew him not. Seven
years of suffering, i'll usage and exposure
had worked marvellous changes in him.
No wonder then they did not recognize
their old master; but they were kind TO
him. Thinking he was some poor way
farer they set food in plenty before him
of which ne partook as freely as his anx-
iety would perm it.
Then he asked IL he could see Mrs.
Cranston for moment. To this the
servant replied that it would be impossi-
be, as that la iy was to be married in few
hours, and was then busily employed in
preparing for the ceremony. "Iell Mrs.
Cranston," said he, "that 1 bring her
news OF her husband" The servant de-
parted with the message. A few minutes
later Mrs. Crapston stood befors her
husband, but, like the servants, she knew
him not.
1t was a cruel blow to him, this failure
OF his wife to recognize him.
"You have news OF my husband?' she
questioned.
"That have, madam. Mr. Cranston's
bark was captured by pirates of the
Florida Keys more than seven years ago.
Every man OF the crew perished at
the hands of the villains or was burned
up with hers
"And my husband?'
"He escaped, madam. Escaped only to
live in torture and captivity for seven
years."
"But he is free? You have seen him
lately, perhaps?"
San hour ago, madam, crossing How
lands Ferry"
"Then ne is here, thank God. Let me
go to him. Where can find him?"
"Madsm, have you seen me before?"
Mrs. Cranston gazej at her ques-
tioner closely; tnen slowly shaking her
head, she replied: "No, / have never
seen you before, that can recall.'
Still unknown by his own wife in his
own home.
"Look again, madam, look at this scar
on my head. Did you ever see that be-
fore?"
For an instant Mrs. Crsnston looked at
that little white streak and then, with
cry of joyful recognition. fell sobbing on
the bosom of the husband she had so long
believed to have passed to the great be-
yond.
"Then there wasn't any Christmas eve
wedding. after aIl?" said Arthur.
"Oh, yes, there was, my DEAR AT that
very moment Mr. Russell and the min
lister. as well as large party of friends,
were in the house. Mr.. Crauston, after
properly attiring himself. escorted his
wife to the parlor, where the company
was assent bled. Mr. Cranston told the
story OF Mr.. Cranstots S happy though un-
expected return ana congratulations
were showered upon the reunited hus-
band and Wife"
''But Mr. Russell must have been sadly
disappointed, Helen remarked.
~ dare say he was, but Mr.. Russell was
a noble- e-hearted and generous gentleman.
"a