The Dickinson press., 1896-02-22
with trembling hands and eager eyer

the daily papers and found that the
Orient was expected IN Thursday.
This was Tuesday. Conld she get
there? Yes. by taking the evening
train she could reach New York on
Thursday morning, probably in time
to meet the steamer when It came in.
But there was no time to lose.
"Robert" she called, stepping quick
ly to the door, as she saw him pass on
his bicycle, run to the barn and tell
John to harness Prince and take me
to the Center to catch the evening
train"
"All right" answered Robert, as he
turned his wheel in that direction.
1t took but q moment for Hazel to
change her dainty tea gown for q neat
travelling suit, then q satchel was hur-
rledly. packed. with q few necessities,
and by the time John had come to the
door with Prince she was ready. A
few directions to Nora, a hasty charge
to Robert to be good until she came
hack. and she was OF, bright anticipa-
ton beaming In her face.
When the Orient arrived at the pier
and Lawrence Gray, wan and pale and
leaning on q brother minister's arm,
came ashore, the first person that he
met was Hazel. looking for him, as
young and fresh as when they had
parted twenty years before.
"You, Hazel!" he said, with a faint
smile, as she took his hand.
Eyes, DEAR" she answered, quietly.
1--WE come to take you home with me.
Father has gone now, and I've no one
else that needs my care"
Lawrence made no answer, but he
leaned on her strong arm with child
like trust and confidence and suffered
her to lead him to the carriage she had
In waiting.
SIS the farm house just as it used to
BET" he asked, when they were seated.
Il remember that 1t was so pleasant
there"
"Yes," smiled Hazel, sit is just the
came, only the trees have grown taller
and my baby nephews r young
men,"
When they reached the hotel Hazel
with her own hands arranged his bed
and helped him lay down upon 1t.
"You know just how to make one
comfortable" sighed Lawrence as he
sank upon the pillows.
1--WE had twenty years. experience
In caring for invalids," she answered
sweetly; perhaps it was for this that
I stayed behind"
Then when oil the arrangements for
his comfort had been completed and
two minister friends were asking
which of them should remain and care
for him during the night, with a flush
on her face she bent over Lawrence
aud whispered:
"Slali we have n of your minister
friends marry us, dear? Then I could
stay with you and car for you my
SELF"
"I've wanted you So" was all Law
renee answered.
In the pathos Of that answer Hazel
read how hard and lonely the years of
waiting had been for him, and she
took the responsibility Of acting at
once. The ministers present were in
formed Of her wishes and their sympa-
thy assured. And there in the upper
room of the city hotel, Hazel sitting by
the bedside holding her lovers hand,
the two beings SO long united in heart
and soul were united in marriage.
1t was but a labor Of love then for
Hazel to watch by the bedside, antici-
pating his every wish and doing those
Thousand SID ene things that make
the invalius life bearable.
Three months afterWard Lawrence
came zane from a walk and seated
himself on the porch beside his wife,
who, with q happy light in her face.
was quietly knitting lace. His face
vas still pale and he walked with a
al But otherwise he seemed quite
well.
II have some news" he said bright.
~, sitting down on the step a little be-
low her. "Our church is to have n va.
cant pulpit. Mr.. Ellsworth has de.
cided to 60 to China and the board
have appointed him to my place."
when Is he going?"
"Next month, and the committee has
invited me to preach here in his place."
"Shall you accept?" questioned Ha-
Eel eagerly, laying down her Knitting
and looking into his face.
perhaps so, II you think you would
like it. I have always dreamed of
having you with me over there. But
I'm not strong enough to go back vet,
and the church needs me here. Be.
sides, I've formed an attachment for
the old farm house and hute to leave
1t. 1t has been like a heaven to me
here"
There was a soft light in his eyes as
he reached. up and took her hand and
pressed it to her lips.
1T has been a long, dark day." he
continued softly, "but at the evening
| time it Is light"
A delicate flush overspread Hazers
face and her eyes were moist with un.
shed tears as she looked down upon
the man who had waited twenty years
for her love. 1t had been a gloomy
day, but just then the sun broke
through the clouds and its golden
beams stretched across the Landscape
with its neatly kept lawn and cool
porch and lighted up two faces that
were aglow with perfect happiness.
At evening time 1t was Nght-Chi.
caxo Newa -