He needed no words to tell him of the letters never received; he knew
the truth, and satisfied to have her at last he drew her closely to him,
and laying her tired head upon his bosom, gazed fondly at the face he
had not seen in many, many years. Curious, tittering maidens, of whom
there are usually one or two in every car, looked at that couple near
the door and whispered to their companions: "Bride and groom. Just see how he hugs her. Some widower, I know,
married to a young wife."
But neither Charlie nor Anna cared for the speculations to which they
were giving rise. They had found each other, and the happiness enjoyed
during the two hours which elapsed ere Buffalo was reached more than
made amends for all the lonely years of wretchedness they had spent
apart from each other. Charlie had told Anna briefly of his life in
India--had spoken feelingly, affectionately of his gentle Hattie, who
had died, blessing him with her last breath for the kindness he had ever
shown to her; of baby Annie's grave, by the side of which he buried the
young mother; of his loneliness after that, his failing health, his
yearning for a sight of home, his embarkation for America, his hope
through all that she might still be won; his letters and her mother's
reply, which awakened his suspicions, and his last letter which she
received.
Sweetly she chided him, amid her tears, for not coming to her at once,
telling how she had waited and watched with an anxious heart, ever since
she heard of his return; and then she told him next where she was going,
and why, sparing her brother as much as possible, and dwelling long upon
poor Lily's gentleness and beauty.
So it was settled that Charlie should go with her, and his presence made
her far less impatient than she would otherwise have been, when, owing
to some accident, they were delayed so long that the Cleveland train was
gone, and there was no alternative but to wait in Buffalo. At Cincinnati
there was another detention, and it was not until the very day appointed
for the wedding that, with Charlie still beside her, Anna entered the
carriage hired at Lexington, and started for Spring Bank, whither for a
little we will precede her, taking up the narrative prior to this day,
and about the time when 'Lina first returned from New York, laden with
arrogance and airs.