Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-29

ness In his hands until his return: he
could no; say when that would be.
II was Thanksgiving-Eve and the bells
were ringing for the wedding OF Barbara.
as tho large mail steamer arrived IN the
harbor OF New York, from Australia. As
soon as the gang plank was lowered.
Russell was the first one to land. lie
rushed up 10 n cabman and handed him a
piece Of gold, four or five times the
amount OF the fare, and said: That is
yours II you only get me TO No. Is -
street with all haste"
Barbara was dressing for her wedding
The handsome bronze clock on the mantel
was nearing the hour OF tho marriage
Her thoughts would wander 10 a Thanks
giving eve five years back, when Russell
was with her, and she would stop dressing
every few minutes. bury her face In her
hanos. and weep.
"You must not DO so, now. please, Miss
Barbara, you viii have such red eyes,
and you VIII surely be late" would argue
her maid
"Oh. cannot help f." would be the re-
ply. Il am so sad; II IL had only been
some other eve but Thanksgiving. But
Mr. Bayne would have It so. and Il makes
me think Of one now dead. but one loved
so we'll Maud, let me tell you all about
II. He left me FIVE years ago on Thanks.
giving eve for Australia on business
promising TO return as soon as possible "a
claim me for his bride. He wrote regularly
10y every mail for one year. and then seye-
raj mails passed and I did not hear from
him. And then came a short letter. writ
ten by y friend Of his, saying that he was
quite sick, and by the next mail I re-
ceivcd only a few lines, saying he was
dead. My Russell; my darling. my own
true love. and my only love was dead.
wish the marriage was some other time. !
feel as II something IS going to happen"
a knock al the door! well, Walter
what IS it?"
ga man wants to speak 20 you. Miss
Barbara; only a. minute"
Put, Walter il is impossible I am
now ten minutes late. and not dressed
Who IS 81. and what can it mean2 Tell
him 10 see some one else, down stairs
Walter returned in a few minutes. say
ing: THE man said IL was urgent bust
ness, and he must speak to you"
go. Walter; / cannot SEQ him. and ]
positively must not be disturbed again
Maud, close the door, and hand me my
diamonds. This VIII not 90; must
hasten"
After the door closed She thought g.
best 70 speak TO the man. walter spoke
as If he was only plain man. she said.
land I can just let him come 20 III" door
and see what his errand Is: and Il IL Is
charity he s. seeking from me on my
bridal-cve. or some favor, n 10 will give
happiness TO some poor soul I win GER
tainly give q, ana, maybe. the Kind ia
Their that watches over ell Will In some
way ease the burden az sorrows OF my
poor heart" So she tapped tho bell to
boo fsr~ -
so there was another knock at the door
and Waiter handed In q small parcel,
saying: "Tcl Miss King she must open
IL. At once sho did SO and she fell
on tho sofa. screaming and crying, and
pressing q little blue locket to her lips.
"Whero ala It come from? My Mascot.
Ny Mascot
Walter stood looking on in amazement
"What can all this mean?" he though.
TO himself
u r.ust SEQ the man." cried Barbara
81 will be back i'm few minutes, Maud
You can pin on the veil and l viii bo
ready. Only q few minutes late does not
matter"
She hardly knew how she got down
stairs. and into the arms Of a travel
strained man, Russell
Barbara: yes. after so many years,
can IL be true. and aye YOU free, and al
last? CanI have my bride on this Thanks
giving-EveY'
shouted
Both I'm a few words explained matters.
and attributed &c all 10 Andrew Bayna.
When he was general postmaster Of the
CITY he had intercepted tho letters, am
written anonymous epistles 10 both.
Russell hastily changed his travelling
clothes for a suit ~ black, which was
I'm his va!ise. while Barbara was hnlshln-
her toilet. telling Maud the joyIul news
The bridal party was over an hour late.
Every eye IN the crowded church was
Watching the bride. She at last came
I'm. leaning on the arm OF her father. All
thought she looked little pale ana
wondered at the delay. And, when
mathematician man, with iron-gray
hair. I'm a plain suit Of black. came from
o,,F ~ the chancel 20 meet the bride, al
wondered: some few recognized him. IN
etead OF the diamond sunburst gii
Cro-o Andrew Bayne. at her throat tho
little blue enamellel loclet was hsr only
ornament. There was not 10 DO recep-
ton for o. would be TOO painaal TO her'
q, would bring back TO hsr mind
Tbauksgiving-eve five years ago. Bar
nara was glad that she coHlc go quietly
home and there talk It all over.
Mr. and Mrs. Grant left on the mid
lint train for a short trip South, ex-
Meeting. on their return, TO sail for Aus
tralia. ,.,-,..,.
Tho morning papers explained the whole
or-air telling Of Mr. Bayne's rascaity.
and Of his hight for unknown parts 10
escaDe justice. .-..
when Russell walked into the vestry-
room with an officer. where Andrew
t,,,.,o ,.as waiting for Barbara, Bayne
icoi,sd into his face and saw the deter
roination 10 punish him written there.
Re made his escape
Rarbara and Russell were TOO h1ppy 10
i've him properly punished; so he was
never caught.
No Marble for Him.
Detroit TriL me)
Maid OF Athens. ere we par,
Give. Oh. give me back my heart
Pioht here and now I say 20 you,