The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-12-09
ply answered. aYou eannnoe. tell what he

HcF COue, Iull OI SOieInn meaning. DO
you know, Annis, that I believe there
arises in all our lives some one especial
period, above all others, when we have
most need of God ?--when, but for Gods
sheltering hand, we might lie down under
our grievous weight of sorrow, and die /?
Such time is this, for you"
eyes" answered Annis, speaking with
somewhat less of apathy
But God is with US, my child. He is
with you, be assured, and will bear you
up through this dreadful!trial. Put your
whole trust in him. s
II will, 1 will, she said, with energy,
a revulsion of feeling coming over Eer
Aud she burst into food of distressing
tears.
Miss Bellassys left her. She thought
it might be better that the grief should
have full vent. Outside the door stood
Lady Katharine, listening to the sounds
of distress.
.Oh, Ruth, what shall do ?'' she cried,
in anguish. I'VE cannot comfort her.
We cannot bring him back to life ! That
wicked wish will haunt nue. to my dying
day"
Your consolation must be that you
Si6 not mean it, murmured Miss Beilas-
sys. knowing not what else to say. alt
was spoken impulsivcly; without thought;
We are all too apt SO to speak.
"No, did not mean it, did not mean
it" bewailed Lady Katharine, wringing
her hands. ''God knows did not And
yet--how shall | dare ask forgiveness of
him p afa -'.
Ii any lingering doubt, suggesting a
glimner OF hope, had remained in the
mind. of the rector during the night, the
morning dispelled it, A hundred times
dunng those long hours had the argu-
nent presented itself Go lhis reason Mr.
oliver might have dropped this cane,
might have gone off afterwards to see,
some patient, and would be home again
in the morning But the morning broke,
and brought him not. With the first glim-
lner of dawn Hilton Coombe was astir,
for the calamity touched its inhabitants
in no measured degree. Apart from the
distressing character of the, accident,
and it would have been distressing hap
pening no matter to whom.-Mr. OLIVER
was a favorite with ali. In himself, as in
his professional capacity. he enjoyed the
esteem, the respect, it may be said The
admiration of Hilton.C Coembe The banks
of the stream were crowded. People
focked down thitner, seeking traces of
the accident. The marks, discerned by
Mr.. Dudley the previous night, imparting
the idea that some one had slipped in
stepping up the bank after crossing the
bridge, and had slid back again, were, ex-
anined. with anxious curiosity. The
marks were quite deep in the mud, but
sufficiently clear lin fact, the mud seem
ed much disturbed, as though some one
hae completely fallen there. The mill
ler's son told the tale OF his finding the
cane over and over again; no sooner had
one set of listeners heard it, than they
were replaced by another. He had gone
on in the stream in his punt, in pursuance
of something required in his business,
when he saw the cane come floating down
towards him. He picked it up, and
when he went in doors, carried it with
him. Some hours afterwards, when Ben
entered, he mentioned that Mr. OLIVER
was supposed to be missing, and it then
flashed over the mind of both that this
was Mr.. Olliver's cane; they recognized
it, now the clue was given. You had
better run with it at once to the rectory,''
the young man said to Ben. All this
gossip was retailed over again and again,
and preparations were made for dragging
the stream.
The morning went on. At ten o'clock
old John came to the rectory for the
church keys. Mr.. Dudley went out to
him, looking pale and ill. The loss si
Mr.. OLIVER, whom he so greatly liked
j and esteemed, and the rending of his
daughters happiness, were indeed heavy
trials to him.
"What do you want the keys for
John?" he asked. si1i a7 a9s
1.-The church was to be opened at ter
o'clock, ready for the wedding" was old
Johns sapient response.
But there can be no wedding. What
are you thinking OFF, leaoisa
Old John deliberated. .sAnd them
green things that We put in the church
last night? Imight as we'll go and clear
'em away, sir" M Is. aela s,- l2fil
A strangely keen pang shot across Mr.
Dudfey's heart. The. evergreens which
had been placed there for SO different
purpose, to be swept away ANONYMOUSLY
Somehow he could not bear to order
lit. . s @de
4 "Not just yet, John; not just yet
There's plenty of time" s e
every we'll, sir. But he is certain tt
be dead, poor gentleman; If he was il
lie, he'd be here fast enough for his owl
wedding"
! IL know be is dead-that there is n.
hope" walled the recter .But-don
sweep the boughs away yet. Thes'
windows overlook the churhyard, and i
will bring the calamity all the more for
chilly home to-to Lady Katharine.
The clerk took his departure. Pres
emily a crowd came up from the strean
and sought the rector. The drags hae
been piled, but they brought forth moth
ling. Still there could not he doubt o
Mr Olliyer's fate his non-appearapce t.
fulfil the contract of his marriage proved
,lit. Would Mr.. Dudley order the death
bell to be tolled for him2
Oh, mol How could they. the rectory's
inmates, bear the sound of the death bell
Ir;.,;,., ant OF the very hour that if al