The free press., 1895-02-28

slip some lemons and sugar Into the
basket; pail of lemonade would be
80 refreshing, imbibed in the shady
glen, after the row across the lake.
But now, if he wanted lemons, he
could help himself, she thought, after
the way he had talked.
He was long time getting ready,
and she wondered, as he fumbled with
the lines and hooks, if he really
would go off without kissing her.
Her anger would have melted in a mo-
ment at the first pacific sign from
him but she would not beg for q
kiss, no!
He started for the door. She had
n great mind to follow him there, but
pride kept her back. He w8s outside
the door now; she fastened after him.
eff he looks round I'll let him see I'm
ready to make up" she thought. But
he did not; and SO Mrs. John went
back to the little dining-room, and be-
gan to clear the table, feeling herself
much injured wife, and rather glad,
on the whole, that she hadn't given
in.
But gradually better feelings pre-
vailed; scarlet cheeks faded back to
pink agian, and temper frightened
eyes became dim with tears.
She watched the clock anxiously.
How slowly the hours passed! Two,
three, four, five o'clock. 'In an hour
he will be here" she said to herself
joyously, and she hustled round to
prepare an extra nice supper. She
even went to the corner grocery for q
pound of the forty-cent butter.
Six o'clock came, but no John.
Half-past six-seven. She was walk
ing the floor in her unrest, and now
went out and stood at the gate. She
could see knots of people talking ex-
CltculJ dlOliS buC pblCC" "A kiCS
faced boy running by stopped.
oyer hear bout the axident? The
Bonnie Belle struck by a squall and
seven men drowned"
whats that?" asked feeble old
man. coming out of the next house.
"Who says my boys drowned? Why,
he can swim There amt water
enough in Great Lake to drown John
Carpenter"
The wind blew his scanty locks over
his wrinkled old face; his faded blue
eyes wandered piteously round and
finally rested on Johns wife.
"Don't you believe it." he said,
tremulously. patting her arm with his
uncertain, shaking hand.
But apparently she did not hear
him. Drowned! Her John-and she
let him go to his death without a kiss !!
The freckle- faced boy looked at her
uneasily, digging his bare toes into
the ground.
81 didn't know as Mr.. Carpenter
was along" said he, apologetically,
forgetting for the moment his own i'm
portance as the bearer of news in view
of her silent misery.
Some one took hold of the wife and
led her into the house. She groped
her way like blind person. They
said she had better lie down on the
lounge awhile, and she obeyed. She
could not see anything now.
81 am DYING she thought. and was
happy in thinking so.
Then she hoated away into darkness,
on and on, for long time apparently.
Finally she saw a light, and opening
her eyes saw-yes, it was-Johnl
Was she indeed in the other world,
and was John waiting for her? She
spoke his name.
"She's coming to; she knows me"
said the familiar voice.
But how far off it sounded! And
80 did her own voice when she spoke.
"Where am II" she asked, family.
"Here, dear, in the dining room,
said John again.
He was on the floor beside the
lounge, his face close to hers. Their
lips met in long kiss.
"John," she said, solemnly, Il
thought we were both in another
world"
81 did have a pretty close call,
said he, ''and it was hard work BRING
ing you back"
"The others?" she asked, tearfully.
"Will and are the only ones lett
Il