The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-08-22
she turned, inquiringly.

| ohc thA aiiQuii
She knew him In an instant, for the
gears had brought but stronger step
and nobler carriage, with perhaps too
liberal sprinkling Of gray hair. She
was conscious Of curious thrill OF awe
and tenderness MS she rose from her
chair, for even in that brief instant she
| remembered that there was not a sin
gle gray intruder among her own soft
hair, and his she associated with the
work which had conquered obstacles
and adversely.
"Alfredp she said as she went for
ward with extended hands.
"Elizabethp'
Come up on the veranda, Alfred"
she said. with her eyes full of frank
welcome. III want to hear all about II.
or course l know in fragmentary
way, but 1t will seem new and more
real from your lips"
And he told her, sitting in his old
place behind the honeysuckle, with the
swaying sprays sending alternate lines
or sunshine and shade across his face
IN the same old way. And she listened
with eyes full, lips half parted and
with her head nodding commentator
or sympathy from time to time. 1t was
story of heroism and triumph, told in
straightforward, matter of fact way,
without egotism or self depreciation,
knowing it was her right to have it Ell
tire even as he had lived it.
But it Is good to be home again.
Elizabeth" he concluded, with a salts
ned sigh, as he leaned back in his
chair and surveyed the veranda and
the flower garden beyond 1.-THE mem
ory of these flowers and their owner
mas been with me through all the twen-
~ years have been away. Many
zines have | been on the point of Civ
ing up and returning to them, and. In {
deed" a trace of reserve coming into :
his voice, Il might have done SO but
Tor what you said and the look you
gave me when we last stood together
among your honeysuckles. / knew .
could only return to the sentence of I.
deserter who had forsaken his colors."
she was looking at him in a wonder
ing, startled way. with the color COM !
Ing softly into her face.
"But-you never wrote, Alfred !
Yes, twice. One of the letters was
lost, however, for l heard later of the ;
ships going down in midocean." ]
never received it," Then. 'But I
you have been in the place week. :.
Alfred, and only Just called"
lie looked puzzled. II came in on !
The train an hour ago, Elizabeth and I
would have been here before but for !
complication over telegram. 1t seems I
mere Is another man of the same !
lame in town. /
but Susie?" Z
Never mind Susie, whoever she may Z
'e. nave gone through my proba- !
Ion and have done my work with all Z
ne strength that God gave me. Now I \
ave come 10000 miles for my reward I.
Tor you. If there is more work hid \.
ne do it; but for charity's sake do NOT Z
cruise your companionship in the la i
or 4.
she was not looking at him now. Her +
cart was too full for speech. almost !.
or thought. The dog rubbed against +
en- ana an oriole lifted up his voice Z
sudden ecstasy of song. She +
lroked the one TREMENDOUSLY and looked Z
the other with the tenderness of +
re great JOY that had come to her. Z
Ihen the gate clicked. and she +
FUSED herself with an effort. A youne Z
IAN whom she did not know stood +
sIore her, and with him was Susie. 4
I've brought him at last. Miss VIII i
ir' the girl cried merrily. But | +
ISL mad to drag him, he's so bashful I
r. Gray, this Is my Sunday school +
hcher | told you about Then. dls. i
garding further formalify. and with +
iDbbng gladDess Ia her yoioe. An, 4
b say Miss Wilbur. we've coaxed BIN \
slas with ns for good an all. Hos I
~ 70 open q grocery neat the posi- \
zee Here she caught sight of the 4
ny haired, soldierly hgure IN HE
ekRipnnd and stopped 10 sudden cor. 4
sion n
- his Is ~ 1ray, 100, Susie Miss 4
lippf said, nliD something la Ler
zee eblep fbe Rirl could nof under. 4
'ng' snq We, 700, aye going ~ be 4