The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-03-24

fused him further admittance, he could
find no trace of his wife.
Then he travetsei the vile haunts of
the city, and entered every home of
vice, but she was not there. Each day
brought him no nearer the end of his
search, and still he did not grow hope
less.
Once he thought he saw her. 1t was
in the intricate maze of thoroughfares
between Broadway and Chatham street.
AS he was hurrying on, a cart backed
violently on the sidewalk, and had not
rough, strong grasp held him, his
search might have ended then and there; j.;
when he could again proceed the form
he was following had disappeared. But a
few seconds had interviewed, and he hur-
ried to the next crossing, expecting to
see the familiar figure in this street, but
it was not there.
Then he patiently inquired at every
door for blocks on either side of the
way he had been following, but to no
avail. This search through the power,
ty-stricken, crime'reeking homes of
New York made Everard Dale worthy
man, one in whom love for God, as
shown in love for his creatures, budded
and bloOmed and grew to noble fruitage.
"If | cannot find her can do some
good with her money!" he thought,
and, whilst seeking her, his hand gave
to those he found needing his help, and
his words of kindness, hope and love
called up bright smiles to many faces,
Leaving her home, Agnes had come
to the great city, uncertain what to do
or where to go. While her money
lasted she Jared well enough, but when
it was all gone the bitter trial came.
She was beautiful, but beauty was
sad dover in the city where it is bought
and sold for gold. She was talented.
but such gifts command no price where
there is an overplus of them. She was
good, trusting, loving; and the city is
full of blighted innocence, blasted faith
and broken hearts.
Agnes sought employment, and at
last, when her plainest garments were
all that hunger had left her, and star
walton stared her in the face, her beau
ty obtained work from one who thought
to make her his prey.
Those who have no knowledge of
want, whose well-stocked wardrobes
and groaning table prevent them from
thinking life is hard, or that some souls
are tempted and lured into selling
themselves for bread, forget that they
are only small part of humanity, and
that many cannot command even the
mean things they spurn. But want is
purity's greatest foe, and charity should
be rich indeed to many fallen one.
Men who live in the haunts of vice
are generally very good judges of those
their will can conquer, but Harold
Clargham was deceived in Agnes. She
worked faithfully, but repelled all his
advances with scOrn and contempt
that was eXasperatlng to one of his low
and base nature, so he discharged her.
Then came another period of suffer-
ing and insult. The reader may Won
der why Agnes did not 60 to her old
home, but after woman has voluntari-
ly abandoned her husband and friends
because she thinks she is unoved and |
not wanted, it is impossible for her to
return unsought. Will a woman who !
thinks her love is sighted try to force !
it on man?
Judge these things by even a slight |
of human nature, and it will |
be easily seen why Agnes Dale pre-
ferred insult and suffering to return to
Provost.
By strict economy she managed to
keep her squalid attic room for a
month after leaving Clargham's en-
plOy. Then winter and sickness came,
and she was thrust forth one stormy
evening, to 90 she knew not where.
She wandered aimlessly along the
streets, aud was jOstled and stared at,
but shs needed not; she saw brilliant
lights, but stunned these, and last came
10 the docks.
The tall masts of the ships loomed up
all ond ghost, like against the dark and
leaVy clouds, The waves came moan
ng among the wharves and vessels,
md the sound seemed the death song
# passionate, broken heart. There
vas sob and wall In the rising wind
hat fitted well with the scene.
Alone, for the gloom had made all
)ther moItals seek the glare of the
Hell-lighted streets, she watched the
liver flowing on to the ocean. She
'Ould dimly see it through a space left
open at the end of the wharf whereon
he stood, and 1t looked very cold and
lark and still. She walked slowly to-
yards it, and at last stopped just above
Is shadowy flow.
"lt is only a STEP" she thought, and
hen leaned against the large post that
tood at the corner of the wharf aud
ighed YEARLY, and sob shook her 7
Door, weak form.
''Oh, il he had only loved mel' she
aid, but there was no whisper of hope
o comfort her, and she did not know
le had been seeking for her during all
he long months OF her suffering, that
wen now he was near her, watching,
hough he did not know it was she.
81 will end it now" she cried bitter.
y, "and may God have mercy on my
,oull"
Then she attempted to spring into
he rivers cold embrace, but strong
land held her back. She turned, and
rom passing vessel came a CLEAN of
light that ran across the dark waters,
up the face of the wharf and last lit up
heir faces.
"Agnes, darling /"
hEVaraFd 10 aud aha eat,Iy insans;bta |