The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-08

but all the inns u1Iih. .aN stay
she gazed ut me like one amazed
and bewildered. and although she
con,crscd in an intelligent and lady
like manner. her thoughts seemed
p~re-occupled.
Soon after my arrival Or. May
came.
Are YOU ready to 90 home.
Ethel: Are YOU H." il asked
with a shade Of concern IN his
tones. "You must 90 Immediate
". Winnie viii be very much
alarmed about YOU" he added III
the tone Of one who expect. to be
Obcyed.
She left the room, and while she
was making her preparations had
time t study the physlognomy Of
the man. lie possessed a strong.
well knit frame, graceful III form
and movement. with intelligent
and handsome countenance. Ills
hal clustered in glossy curl> around
his forehead, and d pair f dark
penetrating eyes, fall Of magnetic
fire. calmly surveyed ln@ room.
The lower part Of his face VAS CON
cealed by a heavy growth Of beard.
which became him we!l, and III
general appearance va. that Of
gentlemanly east and self posses
sion.
"A handsome. unprinciDled. and
dangerous man." vas my mental
comment. during the few moments
that remained III his presence.
"Shall | see You again" ne ask
ed, lingering in the doorway It mo
ment after the DR.. went ouJ, as II
10th to depart.
= will come again." | replied,
and she went away.
Early the next Saturday morn
ing | was on my way 10 see her
again. As | reached the school
house | saw her standing at the
window and she came to meet me.
You have come" she SAID with
a sad sweet smile. Come IN.
| there is no school TODAY. / came
to sweep the room and to be alone"
dismounted and tied my horse,
saying, Il want to ask an cxplan1-
ton as to the singular effect Of nay
former visit. / ana no apparition,
that you should turn pale and faint
upon beholding me-"
She looked at me in silence for
a moment and then said. 4 Will
tell YOU. | am in troable. such
deep, dark, wretcht5 trouble. 1t
haunts me always. ! TN o mis-
cradle to even pray. and 0ue night
dreamed that father came to me
and said, Come, Ethel, | Will
show you n who will help you"
thought | stood IN Il deep, dark
chasm, with light over . I'd, but
WITT walls too steep 80 rough to
climb. Look he SAL. upon
the height above ne | il. We
man. She reached down II took
my hand, and showed re where
to pace my feet, and helpeJ nc up
into that brighter world above: my
sorrcw and despair fled from me
and wandered free and happy
mid sunny fields and bi .oming
howc.s. IN YOU recognized that
woman. Your face. your dress,
even the collar about your rex are
just the same
| stood looking at her in mute
surprise: and she continued, "Iou
have come to help me, bat alas.
You are too late. The walls are
closed above me. | am shut out
from hope and light forever. Too
late. too late" she walled IN tones
SO full of agony and despair that it
made metremble as listened to her
plteous means.
BE calm. my friend,"I said,
"You torture yourself with need
less fears. Light ana Eope are
near,r than YOU Think
If Won only knew" she sobbed,
''but how can | tell you:
You need not tell me. | know
or have surmised enough. Our
Heavenly Father never closes his
portals against the truly rcnergant.
Look up and be comforJe.."
Even though IA soul is stained
with crime::' she asked doubtful
ly.
Even though astronGer ~ill has
led You in dark forbidden paths.
Tell me only az much of }pCr his
tory as you would have IN know,
no more"