Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-04-21

ground, when the other, not waiting
to hear the result Of the double blow,
galloped off at a rapid gate.
Weeks passed, and Ellen Donovan
mentioned not her sorrows neither
was it spoken of in her presence but
all brightness had gone from her face,
all lightness from her step.
Edward Horan busted himselfquiet-
ly about his own farm. He dreaded
to encounter Ellen's sad face.
"She is dying-she, the only wo-
man | ever loved" he frequently NUT
tered to himself, "and it is Connolly
who is killing her. AT such times it
was well for the young farmer that he
did not cross Edwards path.
Young Connolly was not yet en-,
gagged to Kate Sancston. Old Farm
er Sancston did not seem so ready for
the match as the young lover had i'm
agined he would be. The fact was,
wealth had not been exsctly benef-
cial to the young man he had taken
to sporting and other unsuitable pas
times.
In the meantime there was little
change at Donovan Farm, only oc-
casionally young Horan passed an
evening there, after Mrs. Donovan
had taken occasion to say to him that
his presence seemed to enliven Ellen
One evening he had stayed a little lat
ter than usual a falnting fit had
seized Ellen, and he would not leave
until she was better. He feared the
end was coming He was too disturb
ed for sleep, so, pulling his hat down
over his eyes, he paced the lanes and
fields, ever muttering to himself 'It
i9 all through Timothy Connolly y
The town clock was striking two,
when he was reused from histhoughts
by the sudden sharp tramp Of a horse.
The sound was so unusual that Ed
ward listened for moment then be-
come instantly aware that the animal
was running away, or that the s.eed
was urged on at pace boding life or
death.
The thud of the horse hoofs advanc-
ed rapidly, and soon were close Who
could it be d?
He had scarcely thought the ques-
ton when there was a crash, a sharp
cry, u pause then the hoofs sounded
again, and ne had barely time to draw
out ofthe path, when, like flash, the
horse dashed by, riderless.
Edward hastened down the path,
but had proceeded not more than fifty
yards when a deep moan guided him
to the right spot; and in the next in
stant he was kneeling by q man lying
in a heap at the side of the path,
groaning in agony.
"Whoever you are, help me" en-
treated the sufferer. 'Dont let me
lie here, helpless. My leg is brok-
en-"
AT the sound of the voice, Edward
Horan leaped to his feet and recoiled
from the speaker. 1t was Timothy
Connolly.
"What You'll not desert me ?"
moaned the latter. You'll not have
the heart ? Another may not pass this
way before morning then | shall be
no more
Edward Horan knelt again over the
PROSTATE man, and said "Timothy
Connolly, can you recognize, from the
voice, Of whom you are now asking
such service q
Edward Horan !" exclaimed the
other.
For time there was silence then
it was Edward who spoke.
"Tell me, Timothy, do you fear
death q
"But few meet it cheerfully,' repli-
ed the farmer, biting his lips to sup.
press his groaas.
"Not when their conscience is
weighed down with sins for which
they will have to answer" said Ed
ward. "Of course that is not your
case. To crush young heart, blight
whole life-these are nothing to you
They give you no trouble and yet
you have the GOODNESS to ask me to
save YOU
The farmer was silent for long
while.
''lf what you say is true, Edward
Horan, 1 am sorry for it ; yet sorrow
will not cure her"
"Only one thing will-your yet be-
ing true 'rejoined Edward. "Swear
to me that the past shall be forgotten /;