Year: 1871




God only knew how that poor
mother had suffered. She had Civ
en- her heart and hand to one of her
own station in life, hard-working
mechanic. That she loved her hus-
band above all earthly objects, was
plainly evident, for he had been her
first and only love. She had long
been alone in the world-fatherless,
motherless, sisterless, brotherless-
and now she turned to him, her hus-
band, with all the worship of pas
sionate soul and sympathetic nature.
She yearned for love returned, such
as she had dreamed of, such as she
felt for him, anG she had reason to
believe that she had found it.


The first year of her married life
was full of joy, and the second
equally so; but there was the addi-
ton of anticipation, for she was to
become a mother. She hoped soon
to gaze upon bright-eyed boy, and
she prayed that he might be the i'm
age of his father, and that, growing
up, he would possess the virtues of
his sire. And with each day her
happiness seemed to increase. New
er before had her husband appeared
so noble in her eyes, and never be-
fore had she fully realized how very
dear he was to her-hoW necessary
to her life.


One morning, as was his cusom
he left for his daily toll. He had
over and over again printed kisses
of affection upon her lips, but still
she clung to him, until tears started
into her eyes, and she exclaimed:


"Oh, George, why Is it that can
not bare this parting? Don't think
me foolish, but it seems as if I
must cling to you and weep-weepl
for very JOY, for my heart is so full. |
Am not too happy? viii such joy
last through life?"


Playfully the husband patted her
cheeks, kissed her lips once more,
and left her for his work. AS long
as possible she watched his retreat
ing form, and then she turned to
household duties, and as she did so
tried to sing and smile; but some
thing checked her utterance, and
and tears would fill her eyes in spite
of all she could do.


Slowly the day dragged on, and
the supper hour was approaching.
The table had been spread with
more than usual care, and a dish
provided of which the husband was
very fond.


ain ten minutes he will be here"
she murmured; but at that very in
slant she was startled by the violent
ringing of the door Lell. She knew
not why, but her heart beat with
great rapidity as she proceeded to
answer the summons. She opened |
the door, and saw half a dozen men
standing there. Not one of them
spoke, but they advanced into the
hall way, and from thence into lit
tie parlor, where they deposited a
heavy burden they had brought
with them.


The wife had watched all this
with cheeks as pale as death, and
with bloodless quiyering lips; but no
sound had she uttered. Then she
stepped forward and placed her
hand upon the blanket which Gov
cred some bulky object. She at
tempted to raise the covering, but
shivering seized her, and she
paused, yet only for moment.
Then she removed the blanket.


She did not shrink or faint, but
she appeared even calm under the
circumstances; for there was the
outstretched form of. George Avery,
her husband; and he moved not.
There could be no mistake, for there
was the very garments he had worn
in parting from her that morning.
But the face was so covered with
blood that the features could not be
distinguished.


Even yet, without a word, a MUIR


mur, or a sigh, she proceeded to pro-
cure water, and with her own hands


she washed away the gore. Yes, it


vas her husbands face; but pale,