Year: 1870

!


chances?


Poor little heart, how you must mis-
him I miss him as much as you, Molly
but N sober man, wanting year OF tNt


of thirty you two we're always the young


sters, you know. And here is another tha


misses him almost as much as we; dom
you Hamlet, old felow?''
I Hamlet got up, walking over to Jack,
with that lounging gait peculiar to New
foundland, placed his paws on Jack knee.
Jack only said. He knows, Molly; he
| knows" and put an arm about Hamlet
neck. | noticed him pull his hat little
over his eyes with the disengaged hand ;
then he leant forward, and in second or
two his head tell on that of the faithful dog.
l stole away from them.


| took look into Tom room that night
before | went 10 my own. Everything was
there the same as when he left it; Tor |
made it my duty to keep it in order, hoping
that some day my boy would return and be
in favor again. And the room told the
boy books there we're few, but there was a
gun and Its accompaniments that would
have been the pride of any sportsman; then
there were fishing rods, fencing foils, box
ins loves, pet pair of spoon oars, the
back board of bis boat with my name on it.
and fifty and one articles that betrayed the
tastes of its occupant. All these / kept in
order. aud loving task it was but it seem
ed as though my labors were never 70 be
rewarded by the presence of the one | la
bored for


Tom had been on my mind more than
ever that day, and when | retired for the
night my brain was too excited to allow me
TO fall into immediate slumber. The moon
coquettcd 50 with the clouds that my room
was now light, now dark and 50 was my
rest, alternate wakefalness and slumber
At one time [ had serious thoughts of pro-
curing light by which 10 read myself to
sleep-a favorite plan of mine-but gave
al the idea determined to conquer sleep


1t must have been near midnight when,
as l Was 10 a sort OF transient state, half
asleep, half awake, l heard fains whis-
tie. My mind dwelt upon il but an instanti
but nay attention was thoroughly aroused
in another moment, for the whistle was re
peate In louder tone. Surely | should
know that call, F." said mentally, as [ arose
and hurried to my window. The moon was
half in cloud, bat it was clear enough for me
to distinguish the figure OF man standing
in the shadow of the tree in front of the
garden gate. The figure moved out of the
shadow as | raised my window sash and
the call again very low. Il was
my brother Toms signal


rs that you. Molly p came floating to
me in voice of the wanderer


Yes, Tom, dear; is that you?" respon-
ded |, commanding my nervousness as well
as could


Yes come down quickly, and come
alone


You can imagine reader, what feelings
were mine, as with some slight wrappings
about me. | stole cautiously to the door,
out into the garden, and through the gate to
my brother Tom.


He had his arms about me before | could
speak.


Why, you're nervous little woman
you re all of a tremble," he exclaimed, af
ter kissing NE heartily Command your
self, Molly. am not bit excited. you
see, although [ have been an absentee for
three years, and can stay here but a mo-
ment as it is.


''0h, Tom FL could utter no more.


There. / should not have said that 1t
is the fact though, and just ran on to see
you. and you only. And l know you are
wondering wly have not come to stay;
me. and have wished many and many
time for my return-both you and dear old
Jack.


You could not have read our hearts
better, said sobbing.


All, yes you are both true blue and
always were, and always will be- You are
IN tears, Molly. Don't cry, dear. L half
wish | had not come to disturb you so rude
ly. | am very rude, | know, and haven't
bit OF sentiment in me. But | wanted TO
see you so badly. Father said he never
wanted to see or hear from me again
that's why I'm here in the night, and whyI
never wrote. | knew it would be all the
same some day. Had l been in any danger
you would have heard from ne And now
let lDe ask if all has gone well with you since
you kissed me good bye?"


''All has gone well, Tom


And how is jack p


well, and lie speaks abo ut you every
day


That's ike him. And how about the
old man-a-father? Has he ever-ever
asked for me, Molly p


It was hard to tell the truth, but l tho't
it best TO not deceive him.


All, xell,' said he, when l had told
him, perhaps was bad boy; but, one
thing certain, it was for the best; and, at
any rate / hold no harsh feelings against
father. l have done well, Molly, well be-
yond all expectation. | have a little pack
age here for you, aud in it you will find a
note that will tell great deal about what |
have been doing. ! should say the package
is for Jack as well as yourself he aud Won