Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-18

eeived the same dscouraging answer.
No one had seen his wife since the night
OF the flood.
His heart grew heavy with despair. He
babe goodby TO the wreck of his fortunes
and the resting place of his broken hopes
Then he turned his face toward a new
field. to begin life over again. alone.
There could be no soiace Cor his grief
but in labor might be obtained some
measure of forgetfulness.
Frank Parrish went to the home OF his
brother. Charles Parrish, in the noun
tains of Lincoln county, N. Nj. Slowly
came back to him his strength and
health. but the joy OF life was no longer
his. To work for works sake was not
the same task that it had been when
work meant the care of the little woman
who to him was the dearest and loyeliesi
In all the world. the building Of n home
together, the delight OF daily companion.
ship and sympathy. the constant presencs
OF that influence which has power to
make devils or heroes of men-the pas
sionate influence of love.
1t was not satisfactory at its best,
working merely for works sake, but
Frank Parrish did what any man with
the right sort OF stuff in him would have
done-he tried with all his might to make
something worth while OF himself in his
new environment.
To inspire him he had his memories,
and they were sweet.
All this while Mrs. Parrish was wear
ing the somber weeds of widowhood In
Murfreesboro, Tenn. She had gone there
to make her home with distant relative
of whom she had never happened to
speak to her husband. or her husband
brother she knew nothing more than the
fact of his existence somewhere in Amer
lea.
After the Galveston disaster she had re-
manned in the vicinity until convinced
that her husband had persisted. Then she
made her way to Tennessee.
As the weeks went by she regained her
health, for youth is buoyant and recuper-
alive, but mind and heart were not at rest
her loss seemed at times too great to
be borne. She was so melancholy that
her relatives finally planned change of
scene for her. She acquiesced with indif-
ference. In the days of her happy wife
hood she had been merry mate for the
man who loved her. Now she was pensive
and sad, her thoughts always with the
husband whose tragic fate she steadfast-
ly mourned.
One Of Mrs. Parrish's new found
friends was a Miss Ellen Alexander.
who was about to leave Tennessee for
New Mexico to teach in private school
in 0tero county. Before the commence
ment of the term 1t was arranged that
Mrs. Parrish should accompany her. In
New Mexico she would find different as
sociations. and the change would perhaps
enliven her depressed spirits.
There are those who will see the finger
Of destiny pointing where the paths of
husband and wife by so singular cir
cumstance slowly converged. But be it
destiny or chance those two care little,
since somehow, somewhere, out of the
universe has come to them the profound
est joy that human hearts can feel.
On July day Mrs. Parrish and Miss
Alexander arrived at Roswell. 1t was on
Thursday. They learned that the stage
by which they were to proceed to Lincoln
and Captain, at which place Miss Alex
ander had married sister, would not go
until the following Monday. They were
disappointed at the delay. But destiny
IL 1t be destiny that plays with the loves
of men and women--was not to be divert
ed, and the chance. il such there be,
strikes, like the lightning's bolt, where it
will.
Thefnext day Mr.. Parrish came to town
TO pErchase supplies and machinery. He
wished to go back that same day, but
was delayed until Sunday. He was dis
appointed. For two days the husband
and wife were in the little town without
knowing it, both detained there against
their will.
Their paths - destiny or chance the
agent-were very near the meeting point
now.
On Sunday at noon Mrs. Parrish left
the hotel at which she was staying for a
walk.
On Sunday at noon Mr.. Parrish, his
team ready, stepped from the postofiice
to the sidewalk and in another moment
would have mounted the vehicle. taken up
the reins and been on his way TO the
mountains.
Miracles may be wrought in a moment.
Frank Parrish. looking up, saw before
him what he thought TO be vision-a
wrath risen from the sea. But the vision
was so real that it did not melt in the
sunshine of that Sabbath noon. 1t did
not fade away as all the other visions Of
his lost love had faded, phantoms of a
fond imagination. Instead it held out
two longing, trembling arms and the light
of deathless devotion illumined its face.
my wifei My wife,"
Who of us witnessing that meeting could
have turned away without lump tight
ening the throat, mist clouding the
eyes?
And so it was that second honeymoon
has begun down there in the New Mex
leo mountains. Dispatch.