The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-06-27

nature save pity and reverence. Hagar,
however, strongly disapproyed of femi-
nine charms, especially when the owner
endeavored to add to them in frivolity
of dress and -demeanor. The poorlady,
who felt that she owed, perhaps, her
very life to these good peoples care and
skill, opened her. heart to Hagar, and
told her all about her long journey from
the Pacific coast, where she had lost her
husband many years since, and had
longed to come home to the East, but
dreaded, as we'll as she might, the dreary
waste of miles between. Hagar knitted
sstolidly on, and listened-apparently
she listened, but not with that active,
tender, absorbed interest that the minis
ter gave to the story of the traveller.
Mrs. Delplaine was too i'll to be left
long alone, and Hagar had her house
hold duties to attend to, SO that the min
lister was often compelled to bring his
book, and make the siek-room his study.
This chamber, which had been somewhat
bare and desolate, suddenly became
glowing and warm, and made a sharp
contrast with the room on the lower floor,
lined with moth-eaten volumes, and
choking with accommodating dust. Mrs.
Delplaine had begged that few sticks
might be lighted on. the hearth,
and had pleaded that quantity OF
light wraps and shawls should be
taken from her trunks to soften the glare
at the windows, to add to the scanty GOV.
ering of her bed, to throw over the grim
.leathern back of her chair; and as Mrs
Delplaine's favorite color seemed to be
Of the faint warm tint Of the rose, the
whole atmosphere of the room took this
soft coloring, and the hungry soul of the
Reverend Paul delighted therein with
out knowing why. @ sa's Hi lol
He was walking Just now in the big
gloomy room below, the seant tails of his
threadbare coat Tapping in the chill all
of March, but his soul was warm with
the memory of the last hours he had
spent in that room above. ,7a .,...
And Mrs. Delplaine, poor Mrs. Del
plaine, having nothing else to think Of
in this queer, picturesque region, being
somewhat appalled, by the big sterile
hills and the gray gloomy sky, which
her crimson shawls could not altogether
shut out. having nothing else to think OF
but the tender interest this haggard but
handsome recluse of a parson took in her
misfortunes, and feeling that if he had
been as hard-hearted as his housekeepe1
she might notno be alive, and finding
life ever SO sweet in her languid canva.
.escence, she was constrained to asksoi
this comely but stern negro woman
something of her master. "Was he
long in the world? Had he no kindred p
Hagar looked up from her knitting
SO stolidly that Mrs. Delplaine added
e Father or mother, wifeor childrenF'
Hagar deliberately turned she, heel ol
her stocking before she fully satisfied
the curiosity of the convalescent. Then
she youchsafed to say hewas quite alone
no father, nor mother, nor chn,en, al
fur as she knowed. There used to be
wife-a poor, sickly creetur-but she
was done gone South years ago and never
come back. - p '--ls'--
Did the poor lady die there?"' said
Mrs. Delplaine.
Hagar hesitated minute. Then she
said, "Yes, she died there, sure enough
And how many years has he lived il
this desslate region, friendless anG
alone % said Mrs. Delplaine. Il
Hagar reckoned it was q considerable
time, but gave it as her opinion tha
some peoples room was better'n theil
company; and adding that Mrs. Del
plaine was talking too much, and tina
she had better go to- sleep, Hagar wen
out of the room.
No sooner had she gone ! than Mr.
Hume entered. 1t had been CUSTOMARY
! for him to relieve Hagar's duties in thI
sick-room. Unconsciously, perhaps, b,
had beenlistening for Hagar's retreat
ing footsteps. Who can govern thes,
vague yearnings that sometimes bese
the strongest human heart2 ,As-he en-
tered the room his face frightened; tht
cavernous burrows in. his brow seemed II
straighten out into joyous benignity
the very angles Of his nature, sharpenet
by theh0pelt IS loneliness of his life, be
! came smooth, and took comfortable
rounded shapes to, themselves; and b,
greeted the pale pretty woman in tn,
straight lacked chair with a peculia
and charming tenderness of tone ant
manner, born of this new experience
that would have frightened and aston
ished himself had he been a looker-on
But Mrs. Delplsine was neither fright
eiled nor astonished. She was still s
week that Hagar's harsh and abrupt re
plies had brought foolish tears to he
eyes, which still hung upon her lashe
as she smiled upon Mr.. Hume. Sh
gave herself up to the sweet relief an
comfort of his presence. She began t
believe that destiny had determine
this remarkable event in her life, an
/ felt an irresistible desire to ofurthert th
designs of fate. She had never in he
i life seen any one 50 noble and majestic
4 vet SO gentle and tender, as this preacher
She felt. that she would much rathe
] dwell with him in the midst of alarm
than reign in this horrible place." bu
anything was better than to part wit
i him. -. - 80
al am glad you have come," sh
said :" have something to say to you.
A strange, wistful, discounted look
his face disquieted her, and she adde'
gently, g You will not despise q little az
vice and remonstrance of mine p
"Tcould despise nothing with whic
you were associated" he said. te ,
4 "Then listen to me-" she continued
4 !" sit here bymy side and listen to me.
am getting quite strong and we'll. 70
4 have savedsmy ylife, yon and your goc
Hagar, and the worst of it is that now
must 90 away.Y Here she paused, al
enjoyed the sudden wincing in his fac
and resolved more andnore to spare hi
the pang of parting. 81 am going
coax you away from nere," she sal
"lndeed, indeed, Mr.. Hume May
call you Paul ?"
(" Yes." he replied, but began to gro
pale.
Indeed you are qnite thrown avs
in this place. 1t would be so sweet
me to see you admired and edited al
a bowed down to, as the world qout yend
does to men like you. They love aesilv
+o,o,,o do 4ba,,,aor1a W,lI xyn1, 1at !,