Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-07-11


lis rough, hard road that her feet have
come
Speak to her soft, in her Saviour's name
Show her the way to her Fathers home
1t was an autumn afternoon, full of
still splendor. The trees, though it was
only the last week in September, were
bright, in the neighborhood of the White
Mountains, with all their wonderful tints
Of crimson, russell, purple, and gold. The
summer travellers, had nearly all left the
notes.-the regular stages had been taken
from most of the routes-and there was
an air Of primeyal stiffness and repose
far and near over the landscape.
In low and comfortable but strong
carriage were gentleman and lady who
were visiting that region for the first time
The driver, genuine son of New Hamp-
shire, to the mountains born, bestowed
his undivided attention upon his own
affairs; having tact enough to take no
notice of the conversation or proceedings
of the two who sat together behind him,
They were bride and groom, these two.
After years of patient waiting, fortune
had smiled at last upon Paul Herkimer,
and permitted him to marry the woman
of his choice. This was their modest
wedding-tour The bride was no longer
in the glow of her first youth Nearly
thirty years, with their light and shade,
night and day, summer and winter, had
done their work on her good, kindly face;
making it nobler, more tender, more
thoughtful, than it could have been ten
years before and therefore more beauti.
full than when the pink fushes of eigh-
teen were on the checklists blue glad
ness in the eyes. The cheeks were pale,
now, and the eyes thoughtful, half sad
looked grey, instead Of blue, beneath
the long lashes that half hid them. One
charm she had beyond any one ever
saw--a strong, fearless honesty, and self
reliance, which shone in every lineament
of her face. Such woman in earlier
ages would have been among the Chris
tan martyrs- even now she was ready
to tread on thorns, or through flames, if
her path of duty led that way
1t was strange how they came togeih-
or-Paul Herkimer and Constance Wade.
Eie was so diherent--young- looking,
though really just of an age--far hand
somer, and great deal better calculated
to please the world, which recognized him
as wearing its own uniform. Still be
loved Constance-perhaps his soul reach
ed higher than he himself knew, and was
indeed akin to hers. At any rate, for
years marriage with her had been the
goal to which thought and endeavor
tended. and now that goal was won. She
was bis wife, and together, under the
golden September sun, they were jour
neying up and down the rugged solemn
New Hampshire hills on whose SUBMITS
one feels so strangely near to Heaven.
At length she spoke, bringing back to
her companions face her clear, far see
ing eyes, which had been ranging over
the distance.
Paul, do you see that woman, yon-
der. toiling up the hill in front of US?
noticed her an hour ago, when we were
climbing the last long hill before this one.
She seems, all the time, to keep just about
SO far in advance, and now she hurrics--
as If restless pain goaded her. But
there--see---she totters has fallen
Driver, in mercy make haste believe
she must have tainted"
II was twenty minutes. perhaps, before
they reached the fallen figure, lying so
belplessly by the roadside. Then Mrs.
Hermker sprang out, and hurried ~ the
stranger. She sprinkIed her face with
cologne, and moistened her lips with it,
and then she lifted the poor, helpless
head to her bosom As she did so, a
long gasping sigh parted the lips bright
as a scarlet berry and the eyes Enclosed
and searched with questioning gaze her
kindly face.
The stranger had been very beautiful |
She 'ods beautiful still, butthe baggard
lines about her mouth, and the anguish
IN the eyes told the story Of suffering, |
whose marks would nerer rass away III :