Middletown transcript., 1907-07-27

/ OF exultation.
For the next day or two Chris
was very busy with his prepara
tions, and when the day arrive,
he proceed to Willesden Il
await the two o'clock train, whicl
was to bring Claire to him. A
last the train glided into th,
station and she was by his side
/ Oh. Chris, dear, Dad came tt
see me off, and l did feel SO mear
when I said good bye.
That's all right, little girl; yor
viii see him again just as soon a:
if you were going to Meyring
But come along, we must hurry
An hour later they were mar
ried, and on their way South
Going to Washington, they
spent the few days of their honey
moon in a little world of theil
own. and as the end of .their
week drew near they reluctantly
turned their steps homeward
again.
When they reached town, a
thick fog was waiting to greet
them. Everything was cold and
cheerless, and despite the love
in their hearts, they could not gel
rid of a certain feeling of de-
preston as they approached Mr..
Freeman's house.
I think / had better see your
father first, dear, and take the
edge off his anger before you
come in.
The house was in darkness,
and all the shades drawn as if in
mourning for the dead. The door
was opened by the old house
keeper, who gave Shrek as
they stepped into the hall.
What! Miss Claire and alive
Yes, you old goose; you don't
think I'm a ghost, do your
Where is Mr.. Freeman? asked
Chris.
In his study, sir. Eth /! but
this is joyful time.
Chris. did not wait to hear any
more, but leaving Claire with the
housekeeper, he went to the
study.
Mr.. Freeman sat by the fire; his
figure was bowed and bent, and
the last few days seemed to have
added years to his looks.
Ah Robson, it is you; come in,
come in. 1 am glad to see you.
All! this is terrible.
I hope you won't think it SO
bad, sir.
I cannot do anything but blame
I saved the firm, but |
sent her to her death.
What do yon mean, sir?
What! have you not heard of
our sorrow?
I have been South for the past
week, sir.
All! then you have not heard.
You loved her, Chris, you loved
her; would that / had let her
marry you, even if the firm
went smash.
But ! do not understand, sir.
Rawdon Cross put money into
the firm and bought my permis
sion to pay his addresses to poor
Claire. She went to Meyring to |
spend a week at his house! but
here was terrible collision at
Junction, the train was
the cars caught fire and |
he loss of life was awful.
But Claire
Yes; she was among the dead, |
,uther body was almost unrecog-
lizable. Rawdon Cross was
TILED, too. Oh, it is terrible.
Mr.. Freeman, came here to-
light to ask your forgiveness,
mt it appears that ! have come
o bring good news.
What do you mean?
mean, sir, that i persuaded
Claire to elope with me. She
eft the train at Willesden, and
now my wife.
What Claire not dead
No, Daddy, | am not dead, / am
lere.
Claire Clairet
He took his daughter in his /
rms and strained her to his
cart, while tears Of joy coursed
own his cheeks.
My child, my child, God has
cen very good in restoring yon
, me. ! m ournsd you as dead, L
nd blamed my self for you r
cath. Chris, my boy, can never
nank you for this. The world
as very dark but a few minutes
go, and plunged in despair, and
EEeefia II = as Il ls fer +
~ child has restored her to me,
nd turned my grief into happi-
eSs and iny