Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-01
had begged that few sticks might be
lighted on the hearth, and had pleaded

had begged that a few sticks might be
lighted on the hearth, and had pleaded
that quantity of light raps and shawls
be taken from her trunks to soften
the glare at the windows, to add to the
scanty covering 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 coioring, and the hungry soul
of the Reverend Paul deli ghted therein
without knowing why. He was walking
Just now in the big gloomy room below,
the scant tails Of his threadbare coat
tapping in the chill air of March, but his
soul was warm with the memory of the
last hours he had spent in that room
above.
And Mrs. Delplaine-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 that
this haggard but handsome recluse of a
parson took in her misfortunes and feel
ing if he had been as hard-hearted as his
housekeeper she might not now be alive,
and finding life ever SO sweet in her Ian
quid convalescence-was constrained to
ask of this comely but stern negro wom-
an something of her master Was he
alone in the world? Had he no kindred9"
Hagar looked up from her knitting so
stolidly that Mrs. Delplaine added, ga
ther, mother, wife or children?"
nagar deliberately turned the heel of
her stocking before she fully satisfied
the curiosity Of the convalescent. Then
she vouchesafed to say that he was quite
alone; no father, nor mother, nor chil'en,
as far as she knowed There used to be
wife-a poor,sck creature-but she was
done gone south years ago, and never
come back.
did the poor lady die there2" said
Mrs. Delplaine
Hagar hesitated minute. Then she
said, Eyes, she died there sure enough"
'And how many years has he lived in
this desolate region, friendless and
alone" said Mrs. Delplaine.
Hagar recnoned 1t was considerable
time, but gave it as her opinion that
some peoples, room was better'n their
company; and adding that Mrs. Delplaine
was talking too much, and that she had
better 60 to sleep, Hagar went out of the
room.
Nosooner had she gone than Mr.. Hume
entered. 1t had been customary for him
to relieve Hagars duties in the sick
room. Unconsciously, perhaps, he had
been listening far Hagar's retreating
footsteps Who can govern these
vague yearnings that sometimes beset
the strongest human heart? AS
he entered the room his face bright
cned; the cavernous burrows in his
brow seemed to straighten out into JOY
Gus benignity, the very angles of his ma
ture, sharpened by the hopeless loneliness
of his life, became smooth, and took COM
Portable rounded shapes to themselves:
and he greeted the pale, pretty woman in
the straightforward chair with peculiar
tenderness of tone and manner. born OF
this new experience, that would have
! frightened and astonsshed himself had he
been locker on. But Mrs. Delplaine was
neither frightened nor astonihsed. She
was still so weak that Hagar's harsh and
abrupt replies brought foolish tears to her
eyes, which still hung upon her lashes as
she smiled upon Mr.. Hume. She gave
herself up to the sweet relief and comfort
of his presence. She began to believe
that destiny had determined this remark
able event in her life, and felt an irresis-
tible desire to further the design of fate.
She had never in her life seen any one so
noble and majestic, yet so gentle and
tender, as the preacher. She felt that
she would much rather dwell with him
sin the midst of alarms that reign in this
horrible place. but anything was better
than to part with him.
~ am glad you have come" she said
II have something to say to YOU" A
strange, wistful, discounted look in his
face disquieted her and she added gently
"You will not despise little advice, and
remonstrance ofmine?'
could despise nothing with which
you were associated" he said.
"Then listen to me, she continued -
"sit here by my side and listen to me.
am getting quite strong and we'll You
have saved my lite, you and your good
Hagar, and the worst Of it is that now
must go away"
Here she paused, and injoyed the sud
den wincing in his face, and resolved
more and more to spare him the pang Of
parting. II am going to coax you away
from here" she said. "Indeed, Mr.
Hume--May I call you Paul9"
"Yes,' he replied, but began to grow
pale.
Indeed, you are quite thrown away
in this place. 1t would be so sweet t.
me to see you you admired and deifed
and bowed down to, as the world out
yonder does to men like you. They love
a silver tongue, do the people. Win yor
let me manage it for your promise
you, if you will, our parting shall be
brief. l have considerable influence
which will WELD in your behalf. You
have but to be known to be appreciated
See the good you might do, Paul." she
added, coaxingly. Her face took fire a.
she uttered his name, but that of thu