Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-01-04
AFTER FIVE YEARS.

six years to-day! What long
time = sighed Maud Merlin, sink
ing into the low seat by The window
aud pressing her sad white face
against the glass. 'Ah, me, how
happy l was; but it is all over. l
shall Eel er be happy again.
Her dark eyes overHOwed with
tears, aud her memory went back
TO the scenes of her childhood, the
great, rambling country house,
with It's spacious rooms and blaz-
ing fires and large-hearted bospi'
tality. Size 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 re-
memen3ere an evening above all
all othcrs-an evening in IOyal
Jine. The air heavy with spicy
OdOrs and a full moon pouring
down It's gloriN ing light upon The
snowy billOws of orchard bloom
and the long hedges CT crimson
roses, weighted down by their Ov L
intense perfume. On that evening
she had listend to tie story thaI
has been so often repeated bu'
which never grows Old. Maud
my darling, love you. Will yOI
be nv wifi p She recalled the very
words, she seemed to hear his dear
voice, and see his tender eyes. The
betlOthal ring was still upon bel
finger Just as he put 1t there tha
night. and beside it another, ever
vet more sacred. her wedding ring
Aud this stormy, desOlate night
was the anniversary. Six years ag(
and the old homestead had rung
with music and revelry. Everl
window blazed with light, and every
broad hearthstOne glOWed will
flaming logs. For on that night
robed IN white and adorned Il
blossoms as spotless and sweet Al
her own virgln heart, the beaut.
and belle wherever she went, be
came a 5rile.
Bidding farewell to the old hom
and the old friends, Maud wen
forth with her husband, thence
forth and forever TO be the light 0
bis home and the inspiration of hl'
life.
: One year-One short sweet
happy year, that went by hE
some rare, rich melody, without
single note of discord to break it
divine perfection, and then th
trouble came The bare remen
brance OF 1t blanched the wife
cheeks and made her breath com
in quick, painful gasps AT tb
close OF that short, hanpy year
her welded life her husband II
c., ived information concerning Il
illness of An only brother resldin
in California. He was dying of
slow bat sure disease, aud wishe
TO see his brothers face once NOR
Harry Merlin did not hesitate
instant. The path of duty vi
plain-he must 60. Maud el
treated to be permitted to a
company him, but he was iDexc
abIe. Tue risks and hardship
2 were too great.
: Left alone Maud was not {
woman to give wav to despOndenc
. IL was her nature to keep her ia
to the san. She kept herself bu
/ with the duties of her hOusehol
and at last the dreary days VT
by, aud tidiDgs from Harry can
He was safe at the journeys ell
hot his brother was dead, leaviI
Harry, however, the inherltor O
considerable fortune. just as so
s as his business business matte
J. could be arranged, Harry wrote,
!, would start for home. Soon at
a second mail came, bringing
tellIgence that Harry IN cOmpa
with quite a party of brotI
travellers, had set out, taking
overland route.
y Maud counted the days W
throbblng impatience. The p'
Is ing had beea so long. She piI
to see his dear face and hear
voice once more. She worked II
"' morn till night, filing the roc
with little ornaments and getI
mn little surprises against HE