The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-12-12

"ltt' Ms "dfhiHgs however,
] set out for an afternoon ride along
the upland road.
The road was SO good and the air
10 bracing that | was many miles out
before ] thought Of turning. When |
ana the dusk was gathering cow, and
the huge marsh looked dim and lone
~. The storm was coming in good
earnest, for down over the bay q
swift fame of lightning leaped forth,
followed by a growl OF thunder.
With this there was the growing
darkness and now and then a spatter
OF rain. / fought steadily on. how
ever. and was half way home before
night shut in. But night brought
the full fury Of the tempest. Soon
the lightning was my only guide. Ii
proved safeguard. too, for while go
ing fast down hill a fash revealed n
fallen tree scarcely ten feet away. I
did not wait to see what would han
pen, but slid off and rolled in the
mud, leaving the bicycle TO its fate.
At last, far ahead, d light appeared.
Then another and another, until a
brilliant glow shone in the darkness,
and then, quite suddenly, recognized
the outline Of the house on the up-
lands. But what was the reason of
this illumination? There was a light
in every window. ! FASTENED forward
and soon stumbled through the gate.
up the pathway TO the front door.
where ! knocked loud and long. II
was thrown open and my old friend
appeared. gazing eagerly at me.
why. Why" he exclaimed. ats
you thought il was james," and
look of deep disappointment came
over his face. "Have You seen him?"
NO" / answered. and the light fell
full on my soaked and muddy gar
ments. The old man gave a cry.
Il treat you I'LL" he said. "Come in.
come in. and you can get dry, and
we can welcome James together. For
you do not sheer and laugh as the
others do" He drew me in and shut
the door. We went through the hall,
catching a glimpse of bright-lit par
Tors as we passed. to the big kitchen
at its farther end
Here huge fire blazed and / was
quickly dry. The old man gave me
a hot drink from brew which sim
mered beside the hearth. 1t put new
life into me.
rs your brother really coming to-
night?" asked, determined to humor
him.
yes. oh yes" he cried TREMENDOUSLY.
'See. read this" With shaking hands
he unfolded a sheet of paper and gave
il TO me.
II was letter. frayed and worn,
dated 30 years back. 1t said that the |
writer had arrived in Halifax by the
steamer Scotia. of the Cunard line.
and would come round by schooner,
avoiding the tedious coach Journey.
I purpose TO come round in the curlew
schooner. which sails within week
Have the house ready for me. George.
md forum OF that good Punch you
Used to make so well. | will drive out
rom the Village And / shall be right
ylal 10 be Home again. Old Fellow. for
We had rough voyage across.
am. dear George. Your Affect. Bror..
JAMES.
So il concluded. The signature was
tained and blurred. And as handed
'ack the letter and the old man fold
d il so reverently and replaced il in
us pocket, the pity of il all brought
ears TO my own eyes. But my host
vas looking at me expectantly. so
orced a smile and talked to him of
he returning one.
How the storm Numbered outside,
saw that il would be almost impos-
ible TO reach the village. and gladly
ccepted the old mans proposal that
should stay with him. For said
e. 1T will he pleasant for James, .
nd | would like you to know him."
When my clothes were dry. we went
yer TO the house together. 1t was !
blaze with light. Wax candles were |
laced in every window and the som.
er parlors were gay with old-fash-
med lamps. !
I'VE brought them all out when we
lme." explained the old ynan. "Ano :
ames will be glad when he sees the +
gifts shining TO welcome him home.r 7
But will he come such a night as !
lisp" / said as gust Of wind shook
lie house and Jared us where we )
God. 81
"Yes. oh. yes" The voice was very 2
eak. "They told me this afternoon \
al the Curlew was in the bay. and
know James is coming tonight" y
e went TO a window. ''IIark, Don't !,
N hear a horsca'' n
But II was only rain-squall driv. Y
9 along the road. \,
The wind gradually shifted. and 4
hen we returned to the kitchen the 4
orm was laundering at the front !,
'or and echoing i'm the hall Sew x,
al times it tore az the entrance like II
living thing so like that half
rned round. while my companion :.
arted from his seat. Soon. how =
er, my fatigue began to overpower
;. Even the increasing nervousness i.
the old man could not keep me "
AXE. was rapidly nearing the :.
rders of a slumber when the storm, -.
itch had dropped for moment to I.
ter silence. came roaring over the
irsh anew. IL struck the house, -
hammered at the door. and the
or flew open with crash.