The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-08-16

ncatlOn 10 utter word, sank down in
a chair in Il corner Of the room. The
intoxicated husband took no notice OF
the strange faces before him. Turning.
he pushed chair toward the deacon.
with:
'Sit down. old brick. an make your
self at home. III let Lou know 7 I'm
goy'ner herew
The brothers and sisters OF the hu.
INFLATED wife had risen from their
seats and stood around in silence.
Presently Vincent's eyes lit upon Mrs
Newcombe's face. The old lady was
holding the baby in her arms. but no
one save a man in his condition could
have mistaken her wrinklcd face for
that of his young wife.
lie went up to the deacon's wife and
clappcd his hand on her shoulder.
"Glum as ghost eh? But you see
I'm gov'nor here. inpendent s king
on S throne;" and he made n flourish
with such force thac he wel-nlgh lost
his balance. Settling his hand again
upon the old lady's shoulder. lie low
cred his face till IT almost touched
hers. "D'ye see that old chap sitting
there peac'ble s Quaker? Wen. he's
a friend Of mine. | want him treated
'th proper 'spect. or I'll 'vengc m'self
b coming home in 'stonlshng state of
el'vation when your str'straight-laced
folks are here"
At tlls juncture he heheld himself re-
flccted in Il large mirror. Instantly
striking pusilistic attitude, he de-
manded:
"Who are you, gaping at n gen'man
In that style. an haven't the manners
10 take Off your hat? I'll let you know
I'm boss here"
The drunken man executed second
flourish with his arms high in mir and
fell upon the floor. in his rapid descent
nearly knocking his mother-in-law off
her feet. The deacon seized his hat
and overcoat. At signal from him
the others got their things and then all
slowly filed out of the house. The
mother tarried a moment to bend over
her daughter. who, covered with
shame. sat still in the corner. She
offered her the shelter Of her old home.
but Louisa only looked at her husband
and shook her head.
He needs me- mother. and cannot
leave him"
1t was late next morning when Vim
cent awoke. H. was thoroughly sober
now. He brushed his hand slowly over
his eyes, and lay silently i'm deep re-
Election. scarcely moving for long
time. Then he got up. dressed him
| gatf ond went 1nuuctnirc 10 fnuu1
Louisa crying over her baby. which
lay sleeping in her lap. The husband.
in whose memory every word and act
Of the previous evening We're clear,
went TO his wife's side and knelt down
Il remember it all, Lou, and | know
how you feel and | am. for the first
time in my life, thoroughly ashamed OF
myself"
We will draw veil over the pair as
they converse in low. solemn tones
with each other. mingling their tears
and their prayers over their sleeping
infant
Three years passed away. and in the
large room Of Deacon Ncwcombe's
house little company was gathered,
Of children and grandchildren. All who
had once met daily around the good
1 doacon's fire were there save one, ana
! that one Louisa. The faces of all were
saddened as the mother. looking around
/ upon the group spoke her name. No
one could tell 10 what depth Of misery
she might have sunk ere this. In all
these three years they had had no It'd
/ ings Of her. They had written, but
their letters We're never answered
once one of the brothers had visited
the city ana called at the house where
the first two years Of hor married life
were spent. but new tenants peopled it
and the name of Lenolr was unknown
20 them.
They gathered around the we'll
spread table, young and old.
1T Is five years tomorrow since
Louisa was married. | wonder If she
remembers the promise | made her."
said the deacon, staring hard ut his
/ plate; and the mother answered:
Poor child! If she does, it will only
add to her sorrow"
There was the noise OF wheels out
side, the sound OF footsteps on tho
p'A'i4t AAl'il Aiif hilbihtl SOuuutNs anu
in moment. Louisa, radiant with
health and happiness. entered the
room, leading by the hand bright
eyed boy. Her husband-not the blear-
| eyed. besotted creature they had looked
upon three years before but noble and
| manly-looking- man whom the good
deacon and his stalwart sons felt they
could grasp by the hand-followed in Il
| few moments.
Later in the evening. when n vast
amount of kissing and smiling through
tears had been gone through with,
Louisa led her little boy to the deacon's
! side.
Isn't h handsome, father. ana irst
Ike his papa? And only think. Vincent
has never touched crop Of liquor
since that dreadful night when /
thought | should die for shame, And
We are so happy"
And Mr. and Mrs Lenoir had their
silver wedding after ALL as the old man
persisted in calling it. ana many and
costly were the presents showered upon
Louisa, VINO. in her new happiness,
looked as blooming as newly made
I lpidas huf tbn esfff cb ,,tnct r,rfyoJ