The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-02-27


The body found IN the woods at 49,
has been identified by the garments
and SEINE personal pecullarities as that
OF Mr. Casper Athwold, a wealthy citi-
zen. who has been missing many days
His funeral takes place this morn
ing"
l dropped the paper In amazement.
My own name-the record OF my death.
Then l burst into a bitter laugh. |
understood II. The beggar whom | had
clothed had died upon the road. He
Il was who was that day TO be buried
under my name
At first II seemed merely n cruel Joke.
Then the memory OF my will and the
letter written to Kate Norman flashed
upon me. must reach home and prove
myself living man before II was too
late.
Weak as ! was. arose and dressed
myself. and giving my address TO the
landlord. bft the hotel for the depot:
but reached Il only in time 10 End
the train gone. Another hour or 90
must pass They we're ages 20 me.
She would not read that letter while l
lived.
At last was oif-falrly on my way.
In the dark OF the evening I alighted
at the depot and hurried homeward.
There should End my servants. and.
probably. the lawyer who would End Il
his duty 10 secure everything for the
future helrcss.
They would not, hoped. read the
viii 90 soon-yet Il was customary. II
this had been done. how should ! act?
How spoak7 Only a little space lay
between the depot and my home. The
railroad oncroachments had been my
mothers greatest troubles IN the last
years Of her life. Now this fact en-
abled me- ~ a. ] was. 10 reach the
house without delay. II was dark.
and ] met no one.
In momen' knew Why They had
assembled IN the parlor 10 hear my viii
read-ior. through the Venetian shut
tera long bars Of light fell across the
porch; and looking In. unseen myself.
] saw Kate Norman. with letter In her
hand. glide through the opposite door.
The VIII had been read Before
could intorpose she would have read
the letter also.
What should I do?-return as had
come?-change my namo7-dweil
whore no one knew me? II seemed
that this were better than 20 return 10
the gaping towns-folk's nine days
wonder Worst OF an 10 meet Kate.
turned from the window and hur-
rled away-but was sin weak. very
weak. and soon my strength gave way.
Il was just rs reached the churchyaTN
The road was bare. with no resting
place upon q. but within the gates the
soft grass tempted me. and the willow
branches seemed 10 nod a welcome.
cast myself down IN the long grass.
The crlcke;s chlrpcd an about me. A
bird somewhere gave a shrek now and
then.
felt my blood on Gre: I could no,
stop thinking: I could not give tired
nature her way. I was weary and
worn beyond an description.
heard the church clock strike nine
II startled me 10 think an hour had
fown when the same clock struck ten.
lifted up my head 20 listen. and saw
figure gliding up the path-a WON.
ans figure.
Il came straight on and cast itself
on the grave By which sat-the grave
beneath which the boggar lay whom
they had taken Cor myself-cast Itself
upon q. sobblng wildly.
The shadows bid me. g1sed un-
seen upon the mourner. who was o.?
Some one who had mistaken the SPOT.
no doubt she lifted up her head.
In the moonlight ! saw her face. Il
was Kate Had pity brought her
there? Could pity make a woman
weep so9 I drew nearer. She spoke.
Il was my name she uttered
"Oh. Casper" she cried. shall nev.
cr hear your dear voice? Can I never
tell you how loved you? on. Casper.
| Casper"
silence with the crickers chlrp
amidst %. and the birds scream. dawn
broke upon my soul Then I stood be-
side her. holding her close and fast
DO not fear. DO not tremhle. +" ! cried
1t d a LIVING Casper who comes %
/ you. and no ghost Oh. Katc-Kate
/ you gave tender words 10 the clay you
thought mine. will you bless me with
them llyingg"
She hid her face IN my bosom. and
would not look up-would only cllnr
90 me With her soi,. white hands and
sob.
And there We stood alone together
amidst the graves. content % stand
there. her hand IN mine. her cheek up
GA my bosom. until the blessed even
I ine-umo heightened Itself into eternity
But az last she told me this. that Of
an men I was 90 her the best: and
when wondcriugly asked her how
might dare dream that this could be-
/ she made culy the woman's answer
because , lCve YOU"
In the moonlight. on that happy
night We went forth from he old
I graveyard into the world OF ilIe. hanl
In hand. as We have gone together Oyei
| slncc.-London sun.
/ 4 Correction.