The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-22

YOU couldn't see me in the dark hail, ana
neither of Us could have seen the other
had the mirror been away. Now here's
Mr.. Guthrie. Mind you, you've got TO
make amends for that harebrained per-
for1nance at Pawnee; so no word of re-
proach TO him. He's old and broken"
Three minutes later the clerk has re-
tired, after ushering Holden and his
friend into the private Office. The IN
slant the latch has clicked gray haired,
sorrow stricken man, tears standing in
his fading eyes, hands quivering and
trembling, totters forward and might
have fallen but for the strong arms that
catch and clasp him.
"My boys friend! my boys friend
whom | SO wrongedI" he falters, and
then for awhile there is solemn silence.
s'Is Mr.. Percivals confession complete,
and have you seen it" asks Ellis gently.
Il have, my boy, at last
"And it clears me. Mr.. Guthrie:"
utterly and entirely" the old man
cries. Il thank my God l was wrong
was wrong"
Atit dn lhN
night train has come from the east.
Holdenis carriage is at the sta,iCI-, and
SO IS Brewster.
"All right?-all arranged:' WI ~HS-
the doctor, as he springs from the car
and grasps the leutenant's hand.
"All right Kenyon's just left him"
answers Curly, and then busies himself
lifting the merry children from the
step, welcoming Mrs. Holden and care
fully assisting Nita Guthrie TO the plat
form.
You happy fellowT" she murmurs.
s'How can 1 congratulate you? Its an
nounced, is it mott" And for moment
she seems, despite pallor and fatigue,
The old buoyant, radiant Nita.
Announced" answers Curly. MY
mother-in-law elect-God bless her
saws my face announced it before that
elevator could reach the lower floor"
They drive rapidly up the winding
road, and, though plainly nervous and
excited, the fair guest never loses her
presence of mind. She has something
appreciative TO say as they pass each IA
miliar object-the lower gate, where the
spruce sentry stands at a carry in s;l-
lutte; the guardhouse, where the relief
is Just forming; the broad west gate; the
brightly lighted barracks across the pa
rade; the group of trumpcters in the
moonlight ont under the tall, glistening
flagstaff. Then come the rush Of Muir
L-..LT,.,, -. sha .1r..Y. nd
assist them TO alight; the rapturous
greeting between the children and their
Hi5ernian friends; the fragrance of cof-
fee floating in from the kitchen; the
hickory logs swapping and sparkling in
the fireplace; the old familiar rooms;
the swinging lamp in the hall.
Welcome to Pawnee once more,
Nita," says Holden, clasping both her
hands. We've had enough of pale
cheeks and dropping spirits. We've
brought you here to recall the roses-to
win you back TO JOY and health, and to
your own old room, Nita. Now will
you promise not to faint this time, no
matter what spooks you see:'
She is trembling violently. She looks
into his beaming face with eager, ques-
tioning, i1nploring eyes.
Come, DEAR" whispers Mrs. Holden.
I'm going up with you"
The doctor summons the children into
the dining room to see the lovely flowers
ON the table. Mrs. Holden twines her
arm about her cousins waist, and mp the
stair they slowly 90. Nita trembles more
and more. They are within a few steps
of the landing, and as they come in sight
of the open door Nita shrinks closer to
her cousins side. Three steps more and
in the dark chamber there CLEANS that
silvery shield of mirror between the dim
white curtains, rejecting the dazzling
moonlight from without. They reach the
landing and Miss Guthrie pauses. breath
less, unnerved. She can go no farther.
''Nita, it was no ghost you saw, whis-
pers Mrs. Holden. shall / call him."
One instant the blue eyes dilate. wild
with hope. incredulity, JOY and fear, all
intermingled. Then there Is the sound
of a quick. springins step along the hall.
a tail, dark haired, dark eyed soldier
fairly leaps toward them. Nita turns
quickly at the sound, and then with out
stretched arms throws herself forward
TO meet him. No terror, no anguish
now, but, as she is clasped 10 his heart.
JOY unutterable in her stifled cry, in the
one eword-"HaroldI"
THE END.