Year: 1874

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HOW HARRY CAME HOME.


''Six years ago what long time .
sighed Maud Merlin, sinking into g
low seat by the window, and pressing
her sad, white face against the glass
"Ah me! how happy was; but it's
all over; I shall never be happy
again ~


Her dark eyes .Overhowed with
tears, and her memory went back to
the old home of childhood, the great
rambling, country house, with the
spacious rooms and blazing fire, and
large-hearted hospitality. She could
see the old garden with its winding
borders and cool retreats, and catch
the sweet Odors of the pinks, and the
drOwsy murmur of the bees; and
there was the wOodbine arbOr, be-
meath which she and Harry sat so
often together. How well she re-
membered one evening above all
others, an evening in lovely June |;
the air heavy with spicy OdOrs, and a
full moon pouring down its glOrify-
ing light upon the snowy pillows of
orchard bloom and the long hedges
of crimson roses. On that evening
she had listened to the story that
was so often repeated, but which
never grows old: "Maud, my dar-
ling, l love yOu-will you be my
wife?" She recalled the very words
she seemed to hear his clear voice and
see his tender eyes. The betrOthal
81. axs hnv tvyof
he put it that night, and beside it
another, even yet moro sacred, her
wedding ring.


And this stormy, desolate night
was the anniversary. Six years ago,
and the old homestead had rung with
music and revelry. Every window
blazed with light, and every broad
hearth-stone glowed with flaming
logs. For, on that night, rObed in
white, and adorned in blossoms rs
spotless and sweet as her own virgin
heart, Maud, sole daughter of the
house, heart and beauty and belle
wherever she went, became bride.


Bidding farewell to the old home
and old friends, Maud went forth with
her husband, from thencefOrth and for
ever to be the light OF his home, and
the inspiration of his life.


One year, short, sweet, happy year,
that went by like some rare, rich
melody, without a single note of dis
cord to break its perfection, then the
trouble came. Tho bare remembrance
of it blanched the wife's ckeeks, and
made her breath come in quick,
painful gasps. At the close of this
short, happy year OF welded life, her
husband received information con-
cerning the illness Of an only brother,
residing In California. He was dying
of slow but sure disease, and wished
to see his brothers. face once more.
Harry Merlin did not hesitate an in
slant; the path of duty was plain
he must co. Maud entreated to be
permitted to accompany him, but he
was inexOrable. The risks and hard
ships were too great.


& Left alone, Maud was not the wo-
man to give way to dependency; 1t
was her nature always to keep her
face to the sun. She kept herself
busy with the duties of her house
hold, and at last the dreary days
went by, and tidings from Harry
came. He was safe at his journeys
end, but his brother was dead, leav-
ing Harry, however, the inheritor of
a considerable fortune. Just as soon
as his business matters could be ar
ranged, Harry wrote, he would start
for home. Soon after second mail,
came, bringing intelligence that Har-
ry, I'm company with quite a party Of
brother travellers, had set out, taking
the overland route.


Maud counted the days with throb-
bing impatience, the parting hpd been
so long; she so pined to see his dear
face, and hear his voice once more.
She worked from morn till night,
filling the rooms with little orna-
ments and getting up little surprises
ogainst his return. She sang the
ballads he had admired; never did
woman count the passing moments
with such expectation. At last the
Iay came. She had received no fur
ther intelligence, but she felt sure
that he would come. The evening
was in spring, genial and balmy ;
their little home was wilderness OF
blossoms. She had prepared his sup
per with her own hands she adorn-
cd the room with the flowers he loved;
and even laid out his gown and slip.
pers, and drew his armchair beneath
the window. Then she went to hen
room and put on the dress he liked
to see her wear-a maUvc silk, with
dainty laces at the throat and wrists
and Jet and gold ornaments hel
fiossy brown hair held back by springs
of heliotrope and sweet verbena.-
Surveying herself in the mirror, she
smiled and blushed, remembering
his words when she had first worn
the dress:


80, Maud you are so beautiful
always wear this dress, darling, wher
you wish to please me-"


The May sun wheeled lower and
lower, and at last went down, leav
ing the earth wrapped I'm the dusky
mists of twilight. Maud began te
grow impatient. She lit the lamp In
the parl0r, and then went to the porch
to wait. He surely would come III
would not disappoint her. The
golden tints Of the day faded into thu