The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
AT THE GATE.

II was bright day in early November,
with clear skies and keen breeze rust
haC the few many-cOlored leaves cling
ing TO the trees along the streets of the
fine oh country town. A very quiet,
grnterl- Hooking street, lined with hand
SINE residences. il Was; and from the
handsmnest of them all, lady came
forth W tn a slow step, as II her only OBJ
j.st vas 10 enjoy as much as possible Of
tie bright sunshine and the clear,
j althy air. She was young, and quite
reity with attractive, resolute features,
and blue eyes dazzling beautiful. Her
f. II complexion was in perfect harmony
W w.th the rosette Of blue velvet on the
front Of her round hat; and her walking
Cress Of gray silk was neatly fitting and
s-yhsh. The lady was Agnes Carroll,
Il e niece and heiress of the wealthy
solicitor, Mr.. John Carroll, who lived
IN the stately mansion she had just
quilted.
She came down the long garden walk
slowly AMI thoughtfully, and paused at
The gate, leaning over II with an eEcla-
nation of surprise. On the foot-pAth
nan was living; his face was turned
a.vav. and h was 50 mutionless that
! gnes faucied lie Was dead: and, hun
reilv uncloslng the gate, she hEstened
to him.
Evidently he hal fallen headlong, for
b clothes were in great disorder, and
lis hat crushed under the side of his
head, which lay against the garden
{ nee. His face Was pale and thin; his
lair and lorg unkempt beard were
bright brown; and his garments, though
much the worse for wear AMI very H.
fitting, hid once beck of the finest ma
trial lis shoes were old and much
worn. and Agnes could see that he bad
m socks. As she gazed at the wretched
oIteast, a tear trent led IN her eye upon
the haggard face over which she was
b,sndiug; and then Agnes walked back to
the house and sent some Of the servants
ont to bring him under shelter.
The stable boy said he was drunk,
hit Agnes felt quite sure he was mis-
taken; the stranger could not be inebri-
a.ed, she said, and orlered them 10
CRY him in and give him comfortable
bed.
When the doctor for whom she had
sent had arrived he said Miss Carroll
was right. The man was not intoxicated;
Int IN the last stages OF starvation, AMI
lid fallen in the road out OF pure ina
lility to take another step. When Mr..
Carroll came, Agnes told him of the
occurrence. and made him promise that
the poor man need not leave the house
until fully recovered; and that, if he
,uId, he would assist him TO some bet
ter way of Life than that which had
brought him - their gate.
Having gained her uncle's promise,
which she knew would be kept. Agnes
again dressed, and set out for her long
delayed walk. Before she had gone far,
sie was met bv young gentlemen, who
s'opped when he saw her, and remarked,
Il was IN nv way to cali on you, Miss
Carroll, - walking along by her side.
How is your mother to-day, Mr..
l:ell ?" asked Agnes, as they walked
GlonR.
"Qlite well, thank you. We are ex-
pecting nv sister home from school, and
hhe is all excitement.
Fanny viii be quite an addition to
olr circle this winter"
"Yes. BY the way, Miss Carroll, will
v1u lend yonr assistance in getting mp
those ttbleaux for our fancy fair?"
81 am sorry, Mr.. Bell but my time
so fully occupied there, | cannot I'M
dertake to be anything more than a
spectator"
Mr. Bell was disappointed evidently,
and left Agnes at her gate with parting
, quest that she would call when she
heard of Fanny Bells arrival.
Agnes when she entered the house,
inquired after the strange man. He was
still in a stupor, she was told, and they
we're afraid that he would die. Agnes
tole up to the room where he lay, above
the servants hall and her heart gave a
reat throh of pain and pity as she gazed
% the white face and shrunken fingers
ot the poor fellow. His old garments
Lad been replaced by clean and COM
f)rtable dressing-gown. and the room
was warm and sunshiny; but it mattered
tile to the unconscious waif over whom
he bent. Agnes had not always been
the rich and petted heiress time was
when she, too, had known want, and care,
and toll. and had been friendle and
forsaken Of all but God. This was all
ended years ago but the sight of the
stranger carried her back to her girl
hood, and the friends OF whom she had
lost sight when her uncle found her and
bore her away to his stately home.
There was one she remembered most
fall, poorstruggling law-student, half
starved, and half-clothed, who supported
an invalid mother from the miserable
pittance earnedas copyist but not all
The penury and want which was his daily
portion could disguise the fact that he
was true and honorable man. and that
he had talent, and would Iise in the
world if ts,e laborious life he was lealing
lid not kill him and in Agnes Carrolls
ewes he was hero to be worshiped at a
distance. They had been friends-noth-
ing more. The blue eyes and prema-
turely-old face of the young girl had
found no entrance to the frozen heart OF
Harry Morton. He was kind, 40 he was