The Republican journal., 1871-03-16


front. To his surprise, she resisted
The girl had her own reserve of charac-
ter, her own thoughts as to spiritual
things. The small inclosurc of rough
boards, within which it seemed to him so
important that she should kneel, was to
her no sacred place. God had appeared
nearer often-in the woods, on the hills,
alone in her little room, Even the spec
tacle of her friends, llepsy and Esther,
conducted, weeping. to the "anXious
seat" failed to move her. 81 cannot; it
would not be honest" Such was Lucy's
creed; and her tlower-like beauty conceal
ed ~ undying strength, even as beneath
the mountain slopes enaneled with but
tercups spreads the indestructible granite.
BY the afternoon of the third day Il
widespread excitement had seized upon
the camp. A rugged and reserved peo-
pie like those of New England are most
formidable when under the influence of
unexpected emotion. The very novelty
of sensation and expression astounds
them. Strong men sobbed; women be-
came hysterical; young girls rushed for
ward and fell upon their knees; the eld
ers went to and fro among the crowd,
expostulating, explaining, entreating.
Over all rang at intervals the voices of
the choir in wild. sweet snatches. A
dark thunder-cloud for moment hid the
Brother Parker stood again by Lucy; he
held her hand. She was excited and in
tears, but she was firm. Just then stir
took place near them. A young man
with bowed head was hurried past by two
Of the elders His face was hidden in his
hands, but Lucy could not mistake. A
sudden tide of emotion shook her soul.
If Kane yielded-if Kane were going to
that place-then she should 60 too.
Was not her place by HMM time and
eternity? Brother Parker felt the fingers
culver in his grasp, the resistance slack
en-. Another moment he had led her for
ward She was kneeling by kane's side;
and this victory of an earthly affection,
power to bring tears like rain down the
good mans cheeks. Sweetly rang the
hymn over them, the cloud tloated past,
the clear sunshine streamed in and bathcd
the place, and Heaven seemed 90 smile
upon the scene.
To our young lovers-who shall say?
To some hearts God has revealed himself
in this manner. We may not dare to
question. But with their deeper thoughts
mingled the strange sweetness of being
there side by side-the earthly blending
with the unearthly, as it will do while we
are things of earth
'Don't let her converse with any one,
Sister Wilder" said Brother Parker, as
he restored the agitated Lucy to her
friend. "Keep her aloof this evening.
Let no vain conversation or gossip arise
to disturb the impression on her mind.
Tomorrow | will talk with her further"
Oh, Brother Parker, had you noticed
the hand-clasp, warmer and more linger
ing than became those who met merely
upon I; spiritual platform, exchanged be-
tween your young converts? Did you
hope to make matters quite safe for the
important conversation of the morrow?
Oh, Brother Parker, who shall guess or
compare the moral blindness which Cupid
can throw over even good mans soul =?
80 Mrs. Wilder kept Lucy "aloot.'
Poor Kane, lowering about the family
group for chance of Il word, found only
downcast lashes on the part of his idol,
discouraged looks from the rest. Father,
mother, brother Nathan. sister-in-law Ell
len. and faithful DraXy, all were deter
mined there should be no 'philondcrlng"
that night ut least. SO the flame in
kane's soul, thus repressed, burned more
holly than ever; and at ..mirk midnight'
he was still lying, unable to sleep, and
longing for the dawn, his eyes fixed on
the fair head not yard from him.
\ Slight movement showed him that
Lucy too. slept not. In q moment, pru-
dence and proprety alike forgotten, he
had gently pushed his pillow some inches
nearer.
'sLucy n
Such a tiny whisper, smothered by
Deacon Aliens hearty snores, it would
scarcely have caught the attention Of Fine
Ear, but Lucy heard.
She half turned, her face dyed with
scarlet bushes as she s.tw that bold head
so near. "Oh don't!" she breathed !;
8 somebody will hearn'
They are sound as dormicc," whisper
ed Kane; :" they won't wake. DO let me
speak, Lucy. shall die if you won't lis
ten. This afternoon, when knelt there,
YOU know. | said to God, O Lord, | will
be u good man and church member with
Thy help; but how can | be anything g
good unless | have the girl | love TO 90
along with me? Oh, let me have her,
Lord And Just then, Lucy, your dress
rustled, and you came and knelt down by
me. | knew it in u moment, though |
didn't open my eyes. And then | felt
that the Lord was as good as they say,
and took it as a sign from Him that
was to have my hearts desire; and [
prayed, Lucy-I prayed with all my
might, for the first time in my life. Did
you pray too, darling ?"
Yes, Kane.'
"And for me?''
eyes, Kane"
"Oh, Lucy, is it real? Could you
really care for me? l have loved you al
ways, dear-did you know it? But till
tonight | could not speak it out. Will
you really be my love and wife, Lucy ?"
Yes, Kane"
Never sounded words so sweet as those
thee 'sYessesN breathed in that fairy whis-
per. Kane put out his hand-little fingers
met and clasped it and just then some
body stirred. and Deacon Atwater, at the
far end of the tent, gave a species of snort
and halt raised himself. With frightened
haste the locked hands unclosed. In half
Il second Kane and Lucy, to all appear
ance, We're fast asleep. And from that
time till morning not q sound broke the
stiffness Of the tent.
Brother Parker was perplexed next day
at the attitude of mind in which he found
his young disciple. She was very sweet
aud gentle, bore his questionings patient
ly yxtha oclya