The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-09-04

lighted on the hearth, and had pleaded
that a quantity of light raps and shawls
be taken from her trunks to soften
the glare al 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 coloring, and the hungry soul
of the Reverend Paul delighted 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. .5
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 ifhe 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 kindred2' ~
Hagar looked up from her knitting so
stolidly that Mrs. Delplaine added, ga
ther, mother, wife or childrens"
+ Hagar 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 chiPen,
as far as she knowed. There used to be
a wife-a poor, sick creature-but she was
done gone south years ago, and never
come back. .a'
"Did the poor lady die theres" said
Mrs. Delplaine. '.." .:@.f
Hagar hesitated minute. Then she
said, ayes, she died there sure enough
"And how many years has he lived in
this desolate region, friendless and
alone" said Mrs. Delplaine.
Hagar rechoned it was a 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 go to sleep, Hagsr went out of the
room.
Nosooner had she gone than Mr.. Hume
entered. It had been customary for him
to relieve Hagar's duties in the sick
room. Unconsciously, perhaps, he hac
been listening far Hagar's retreatine
footsteps. Who can govern these
vague yearnings that sometimes bese1
the strongest human heart? A:
! he entered the room his face bright
ened; the cavernous burrows in hi
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 il
the:straight-back chair with a peculia,
tenderness of tone end manner, born Of
this new experience, that would have
frightened and astonsshed himself had he
! beena locker. on. But Mrs. Delplaine wa;
neither frightened nor astonihsed. Sht
| was still so weak that Hagar's harsh ani
abruptreplies brought foolish tears to be-
eyes, which still hung upon her lashes a!
she smiled upon Mr.. Hume. She gave
herself up to the sweet relief and comfor
OF his presence. She began to believ,
that destiny had determined this remark
able event in her lite, and felt an irresis
tlble desire to further the design of fete
She had never in her life seen any one s.
noble and majestic, yet so gentle ant
TENDER as the preacher She felt tina
she would much rather dwell with hin
Gin the midst Of alarms that reign in thi
horrible place." but anything was bette
than to part with hien.
Il am glad you have come" she sait
II have something to say to you.' /
strange, wistful, discounted look liz hi
face disquieted her and she added gentl,
"You will not despise little advice, ant
remonstrance ofmine?"
could despise nothing with which
you were associated,1 he said.
'Thea listen to me, she continued
sit here by my side and listen to zne.. /.
am getting quite strong and we'll. 70,
have saved my life, you and your gooc
Hagar, and the worst of it is that now
must 60 away"
| Here she paused, aad injoyed the sud
den wineing in his face, and resolved
more and more to spare him the pang O
parting. ''' l am going to coax you ava,
from hcre," she said. "Indeed. MI
Hume-Nay I call you Paul?"
Yes" he replied, hut began to groz
| pale.
"Indeed, you are quite thrown ava,
| in this place. It would be so sweet t:
me to see you you admired and deifei
and bowed down to, as the world on
yonder does to men like you They love
q silver tongue, do the people. Will 70,
let me manage it for you? 1 promise
you, if you will, our parting shall be
bsiet. have considerable influence
which l 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 az
she uttered his name, but THAT of the
preacher grew peler and paler.