Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-10-13

our Savior lived, wrought, aye, and died to
teach, of forgiveness even of our enemies
prayer for these who have despiiefulIy
used us and prosecuted us. His former en-
envy was dead now, but not so that Judges
hate. 1t had been transmitted, like real
estate, TO the dead mans heir; and so he
forbade his daughter TO marry him, and
sternly bade her choose between parents
and lover. She Inherited her fathers strong
will, and she put her hand in Richard
Huntley's, and went forth-she would not
have been her fathers child if she had not
without a tear.
From that time, for ten years, her name
had been a forbidden word. Letters she
had written at first during her banisblneni,
but they had been sent back unopened, and
for years no voice or token had come 10
tell whether she were dead or living
Therefore the mother looked shudderingly
into the shadow-haunted corners in the
long twilights, and almost believed she
saw there the face for which ber mothers
heart had yearncd, momently, all these
years.
| Judge Howard loved his wife, too-Oh,
if she had but known it! Every outline
of that sad, waiting face, every thread of
that silver hair, was dearer to him now than
when bridal roses crowned the girl bride he
had chosen, but his lips never soothed
away the sadness OF that patient face.
ats terrible night. he said at length,
rousing himself from his long silence. In
the pause after his words you could hear
how the wind shook the house, groaned
among the trees, and sighed along the gar
den walk
AYES, terrible night" his wife answered
with shudder. "God grant no poor soul
may be out in it shelterless."
"Amen. l would take in my worst en-
emy on such night as this"
His worst enemy; but would he have
taken in his own child; the daughter with
his blood in her veins, fed once at his board,
warmed at his hearth? If this question
crossed the wife's mind, she gave it no ut
terance.
"Shall l light the candles, Rufus?" she
asked meekly.
ayes, it is almost bed time. had for
gotten how long we were sitting in the
dark. / will read now, and then we shall
be better in bed"
He drew towards him the Bible, which
lay between the candles sic had lighted
it had been his habit, for years. to read
chapter of il nightly. Somehow, tonight
the pages opened at the beautiful, ever
new story of the prodigal son. Judge
Howard read it through calmly, but his
hand trembled as he shut the Book.
"Hanuah," he began, and then paused,
as if his pride were still too strong to per-
nit him to confess himself in the wrong
But soon he proceeded. Hannah, do
suppose that was written for an example
To those who should seek to be numbered
with the children of God. He is our fa-
lher, and his arms are ever open TO the
wanderer. My heart misgives me sorely
about Caroline. She should not have dis
obeyed Inc, bu,-do never disobey God;
and where should he, if He measured out
TO me such measure as | have measured
to her? Oh, Hannah, never felt before
how much needed 10 be forgiven"
The mothers tears were falling still and
fast-she could not answer. There was
silence for a moment and then sgain, the
Judge said, restlesSly-"Hannab ~ and she
looked up into his white, moved face.
"Hannah, could We find her? Do you
think the lives stil!--our one child?"
"God knows, my husband Sometimes
| think that she is dead. see her face
on dark nights, and it wears look of
heavenly peace. In the winds | hear
voice that sounds like hers, and she seems
trying to tell me she has found rest. But
no, now--her face kindled-" she is not
dead. feel it in my soul-God will let
us see her once more,-I am her mother.
l shall not die till my kisses have rested
on her cheek, my hand touched her hair.
l believe have promise, Rufus"
"God grant it Hannah" and after those
words they both sat silently, after listening
-listening--listening.
They had not heard the door open, but
now step sounded in the hall, and the
docr of the room where they sat, was soft
ly unclosed. They both started up-per-
haps they half expected 10 see Caroline,
but it was only their next neighbor hold
ing by the band child. She spoke ca
gerly, in half confused way, which they
did not notice.
This child came to my house, Jud dge,
but l hadn't room 10 keep her, 50 brought
her over here. Will you take her in?"
"Surely, surely? Come here poor child"
Who had ever heard Judge Howard's
voice so gentle! The little girl seemed
somewhat re-assured by it. She crept to
his knee and lifted up her face. The Judge
bent over her. Where had he seen that
peculiar shade of hair, like the shell of a
ripe chestnut? Did he not know those
small, sweet features, that wistful mouth,
the delicate chin! His hands shook.
"Whose-whose child are you? What
is your name?
"Grace," and the child trembled visibly.
"Grace Huntly," said the neighbor's
voice, grown somewhat quivering now
"Grace Huntly. You cannot help know
ing the face, Judge. 1t is copy of one
which belonged once TO the brightest and
prettiest girl in Ashdale"
The old man-he looked very old now,
shaken by the tempest in strong heart,
| ~ 4 L l. al. do