The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-01-27

HUNTED DOWN
pY MRS. ANN g. srEPHENs.'
CHAPTER XVIII.

viaov spoke few gentle words and the deepon-
dency Of her tones forced the girl into new
foritudo.
Those hours Of suffering bad changed her
mother greatly the wrinkled cheeks looked
moro pale and sunken and the sight Of her trou-
bls went to Clara's heart like reproach-she
felt tina, she had been very wicked to allow any
distress to reach that long tried woman.
She could not know how strangely she APP
pesrod herself how her eyes gle lmed and the
crimson burned hotter each moment upon
her cheek, She forced herself to rise, to speak
quie ~ fnl even tried to comfort her mother
"Sk down here she ii, placing her in an
cary chair. 1t is almost night and will
have you cup Of tea in a moment Don't fret
Hotbsr, don't fret ~
The widows ey ighttvas very poor and the
paper shades at the window dimmcd tho light
in the room, 20 that she could not distinctly see
her mothers face and those kind words soothcd
the parent Little.
you feel better, she flterd.
AYES, mother we have borne so mueh-we
can bear this
She made her moh as comfortable as poss-
bic in the stiff chair, placed footstool under
her feet and hurried out OF The room to ESCAPE
further couvc'ssti'n.
Clnas feelings hal changed desire TO
right herself had i.n in her mind. She wished
fos some one with whom she could talk, who
would listen % h unparalleled on either side.
wheu tea was over She sal to her mother
"wss MT he minis er coming to see me p
"Ye. q" Mrs. Aud,r,on >id, beginning to trcm.
ble anew.
He wanted TO talk ahout-about-'
Shs ,oald MT q Iisn the sen enc; there was
no meet. her mo her understood only too veil.
yes. nc ,tt asiI.
Who tUl MIN TO d. s.,
eli thought it 49,, bis lu'y IS long to
his eharcb rcpIi Ms. An !cr-on family.
10 ycu kuoS WA, be- sal cr aow he fol =
"Nc, Lou dn ask, Clara"
The w Nas eut a ieN moments then she
ud. IL an going 70 see him. mother
The m,Eis'et:
Yes; will hear what he can say"
Nh, Anderson cllspcd her hands in thank
talnts, she had a true New Fngland reverance
for her clergyman, and believed that If any one
oou'i offer counsel 10 an extremity ike that it
would 70 him. She would never have dared
prspose the thing to Clara, but it was like a
CLEAN Il hope in the darkness to hear her mon
b,n IT,
"Iams glad. he said, "ho /, cool me -
80 to him, Clara.
" | will a. oucc.
Sho fssc vi b a return Of her old decision.
"Clan' Nhi,p.r,d tbs widow.
Yes, mother.
lie patent. Won buov. and l.sten-r
"You need not bc afraid
She wen, up sta r., pu' n h,r bonnet IN
came down into the room again.
81 shall not be lol. long mother y,y
won't mine T.
emo come here, Clara-kiss me-"
The girl went TO her and pressed her lips t
those o. her mo,hyr' tina, kis ended in a mui
mured blessing on the poor chill. For an in
slant Clara chung to her in silence and in tb.
embrace there was something like consolation
All, during the remnant Of her life how thu
mother held fast to the rccol c!ion Of that ca
ress, how her heart fastened upon it as the onl
bright thing left how she thanked God for tn
impulse which led her TO call her child blcl
and bless Der before she went forth upon tina
pAinfGl GRAND
Clara rose at length, kisscl her mother ono
more ami said gently
Now, am going"
IL will pray for YOU whispered Mrs. Andor
con selemuly IMAM is deaf, but lie will heu
the prayer Of the widow and the orphan"
Bless me again. mother, it makes III
strong"
Onoe moro the mothers lips repeated III
sweet ana holy words, then Clara turned TO e
81 can bear it now" she fa'd, good bye
mother"
Perhaps II was the a st Tina in their who
Lives that such an entire manifestation and ou
pouring Of the heart had passed between /
two. In this growing country of ours 80 strol
and self reliant, we do not sufficiently give vi
10 those gentler impulses which bind 10 vii
sovli more closely together it wouli DO betI
for all families and friends, if the thing W.
more frequent.
Both tho widow and her daughter felt a IN
neatary relief from that revelation, at lea
they loved each other no matter how dark
he world might frown, no storms would ey
divide their breasts or weaken the band viii
united them, to which that log embrace h
been the seal in that home Of misery.
NunOuI bpeahnR aBdn NlAtd wen out
the house and Mrs. Anderson "a: there, whil
away her absence with such words of dcvoti
- had long been familiar to her lips, but whi
now sesmed to possess deeper sjgnilicau
Man they had ever before done.
II was already dark and Clara drew her v
hCs ly about her face to avoid meeting the Gu
SsS gaze Of any Of the neiShbors whom $
might chance to pass. Thl. short walk a
peared interminable she felt as if thous,
eyes were upon her, scores Of evil tongues d
sussing her story and mOsking her with $50
The fever woke in her veins again; all the
ISOLATION and decision gave way to the old
mutt and conflict Once she turned back,
had Nc definite IesOlye-enly a Wild longing
be at home again and hids herself from ev,
eye. When her mothers blessing REQUIRED
her diSccrlant fancy, there was something I
Rible In that, 1t was something upon which
heart could rest aud gather a liz L. strenI
amid the gloom. She wdlkol on X tn, quick
ing her pace, and soon arrived quite breath
ut the gate Of the parsonage.