The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-10

Beatty SAID no more TO me, UuI lain
ing to himself, hurried rapidly up the
stairway and I followed close after.
He led me at once to Colonel Morgan s
room, but his secretary told us that he
was in the social room at the end of
the long hall. wait here" said Beat
ty as he hurried in that direction, and
leaning on my rifle, let my pack rest
against the wall and tried to collect
my wits. An instant later / saw the
Colonel in his peculiar dress, hardly
more civilized than my own, fastening
toward me with hand outstretched.
"Glad to see you, Emerson! Glad to
see you, I'm sure! Come to my room
at once. want you. Came right from
the woods, I see;" and he led me back
the way had come, Nearly opposite
his room was another hall, branching
to the right, and on this corner was a
large wall lamp. This branch hall con-
nected with the other main hail. run
ming parallel to the one we were in,
and both ran out to the so-called social
room, or second floor drawing room of
this famous old house. Here we stop
ped to talk a minute and then started
on. I had nearly crossed this branch
hall when heard slight exclamation,
almost a scream and a woman's voice
Immediately after asked: who is that
MANI" I could not control myself fur
Their. I turned sharply to the right and
faced Beatty and the lady he was es-
corting. AS l did so, she came toward
me, her face ashy in its pallor-that
shrewd kind face, which I had so faint
ly, yet so long remembered. A little
older now, but still the same face. 1
pulled off my old hat and, running my
fingers through my long hair, stood
erect, looking straight at her. Colonel
Morgan had turned at her exclamation
and was coming up behind me. Beat
ty as pale as any of US, his eyes gilt
tering with excitement, stood watch
ing with bated breath, while Aunt Sal
ly, with wide open eyes, eyes that
seemed to see one long dead came glid-
ing toward me. She came to within
four feet of me, and stood silent for an
instant, nervously clutching at her
white throat with one hand, the other
feeling against the wall, as if for sup
port, her breath coming in quick
gasps. Then with a marvellous self
control, in a clear, steady voice, she
asked: Pardon me, sir! But who are
your"
sally Byrd Fisher, 1 am Duncan
Christopher Fisher, son of your hus-
bands brother Donald and his wife
Katherine. I was stolen from you in
the Shenandoah Valley, near old Staun-
ton in the year 1858, by Hans Diehl,
Benjamin Beacraft. his son, and Bar
bie''-
I went no farther. She was reeling,
and 1 caught her slight figure in my
arms. Then she tainted.
What in h is this? What does
this mean?" demanded the Colonel,
swearing in his excitement as he
hustled around me. Beatty seemed ut
terly helpless and incapable of motion.
l was the coolest man of the lot now.
1T means that I've found my Aunt
she that was a mother to me, and
please God, I'll never let her out of my
arms, until she comes back to earth and
recognizes me-gives me a name-ac-
knowledges that 1 am of honest blood
and parentage. Cut those cursed
straps, you fool" I continued, forget
ting my respect for the colonel. He
took no offense at my words, however,
but drawing my own knife, freed me
from that burden, took my rifle and led
the way to my Aunt's room, to which
4 carried her as if she had been child.
1 laid her on the bed and knelt beside
her The Colonel and Lieutenant hur-
ried out for help, but before they re-
turned, she had opened her eyes, looked
into mine. murmured THANK Cod"
and throwing her arms about my neck,
had drawn me down to that motherly
breast as if l had been a babe. Soon
they re-entered. She was weeping and
as they tip-toed in, / motioned them
out. We were alone and though Meth
er had spoken the name of the other,
both understood. I let her weep until
she had grown calmer and then gently
disengaged her arms from my neck
and laid her back upon the pillow,
where she lay looking at me, while 1
held her hands. 1 could see that her
color was returning now, but her eyes
kept wandering over my face and she
acted as if dreaming. If I moved ever
so slightly, her grasp on my hands
grew almost painful. Finally I ven
tured to speak.
And so you recognized me, Auntie?"
Eyes, Chrissie! Yes" she whispered
family. Then added in a stronger
voice-"but what great fellow you've
grown to be-"
Yes. I'm my Uncle's size they say
Do 1 look like my father?''
Yes and no. You look like both
your father and uncle. Larger even
than your uncle, I reckon, and with
your fathers eyes. Your mouth is
your motner S. Then she lay some
time silent again. Her color had re-
turned now and she seemed ashamed of
her momentary weakness. She COM
menced to sob Historically once, but
soothed her and a little later, much to
my surprise, she sat up, and passed
her hand over my face. when did
you shave last, young MANI" Here she
smiled. 1 felt embarrassed and looked
it.
I've been travelling through the
woods, Aunt, and didn't expect to-
to-"
ITO be Rugged by an old woman"
she supplied mischievously. "And how
about a young one?"
We'll! I have hopes-after Pm
shaved and spruced up a Bit" 1 re-
piled, blushing again in spite of my
self.
rs she far from here? I want to see
her? You're not married, are your"
shook my head. IT knew you weren't.
Where's that Daniel Morgan? Where's
your Cousin Erkuries? Bring them in
at once. want to show you to them.
Runt out now, that's a good boy, while
l fix my hair bit. Strange 1 should
act like this. Indeed and I always
boasting I couldn't faint. indeed
But 1 reckon did. Cried, too WelII
don't have such an experience every
day. Heavens, young man! How're
you ever going to walk through that
door without striking your head?
You're a giant. Go quick now. I've
no a. -