The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-12-11
repress shrek Of alarm, as Just at that
moment q heavy knock was heard at the
outer door, aud resounded through the

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moment heavy knock was heard at the
outer door, aud resounded through the
house. a
But Elsie's only thought was OF, q
summons to some sick or dying bed,
for in that q let neighborhood people
were seldom abroad at night on less ur.
gent errands; SO, smiling at her cause
less alarm, and still trembling in spite
of her bravery, she undid the fasten-
ings of the door, and threw it open.
A tall man, wrapped in long, dark
riding-cloak, stood upon the threshold.
By the light of the faring candle Elsie
held she could not distinguish his face.
She only saw the strange, eager look of
pair Of very bright eyes, as the stran-
ger bowed in answer to her salutation.
Madam" he said, g ] am benighted,
as you see, and in trying to reach the
next village have lost my way. I am
drenched to the skin, and my horse is
too weary to go farther through these
miry roads, and, seeing light here, I
have ventured to crave shelter for him
and myself for the remainder of the
night. assure you that you will find
me no ungrateful guest"
Sir" Elsie resumed, simply, athe
doors Of Raymond farm have never
been closed to the weary wayfarer.
Enter, and servant will care for your
horse"
The stranger bowed again, end passed
her silently, as she held back the broad
leaf of the door. What was it that at
the sight of the tall mufded form caused
her heart to beat SO wildly? She put up
the bar that secured the door and then
preceded her guest to the apartment she
had left.
She stirred the smoldering emberh
and threw on fresh wood, which caught
the flames, that soon leaped cheerily up
the broad chimney. Leaving the
stranger covering over the blaze, she
went and called the gardener to take
charge of the horse that was neighing
impatiently at the outer gate.
When she came back she busted her
self, silently, in preparing refreshment
for the stranger, who still sat beside the
hearth casting curious glances at her as
she moved about. Thrill after thrill
shot through Elsie's frame as she met
those bright, strange glances. She had
begun to feel almost frightened at his
singular manner, when he suddenly adj
dressed her. IS
Madam. he said, pointing to the
row of little shoes, and the overfowing
basket of toys, II see that, lonely as is
this house, it is not entirely desolate.
Human flowers, that brighten so many
homes, bloom here. You have little
children, beautiful and loving, and,
doubtless, a good husband. Pardon me,
madam" he added, observing Elsie's
emotion; 3we who are wanderers up
and down the world are won't to notice,
with somewhat of jealousy, the tokens
of domestic happiness that are denied
to us"
He was silent, as if waiting for an an
swer, and Elsie, considering her emo
tion, answered quietly:
There are children here, but not
mine. I have neither husband nor
children and a faint sigh struggled
up from her heart, as she thought what
hight have been.
Just then the gardener came stamp
ing in at the kitchen door and showed
himself, shaking the water from his gar
ments. Elsie turned to the stranger.
Your meal is prepared" she said;
when you have partaken the servant
will show you to your ROOM El
And, bidding her guest goodnight,
she went away to her room and lay down
upon her bed, but not to sleep. Through
the long hours, until the late autumn
dawn, she tossed restlessly upon her
couch, thinking much of the strange
guest, and marveling why his image
mingled 80 continually with her vision
of the past.
The next morning, when the break
fast hour was passed, the stranger spoke
of his departure.
Before I go, madam" he said, II
ought to inform you who I am, that you
may at least know you have not be-
slowed your kindness on one unworthy.
For twenty years have been
wanderer in other lands, sad, lonely,
disappointed man. Yet I have ever
kept one hope bright and vigorous
the hope to return to my native shores
and the scenes of my early happiness.
II was born and lived till manhood
IN the midst OF region much like this
In winch your nome Is situated. was
an orphan' out ! had q small compe-
tence ana many friends. MY guardian
had daughter whom loved, and who
acknowledged that my love was re-
turned. We were betrothed, by the
consent of her parents, and our we'd
ding day was very near, when strange
misfortunes overwhelmed my Alice.
Her father died a horrible death; then
her mother dropped beneath the
blow and quickly followed. leaving to
Alice the care OF the younger children,
and e1acting from her a promise that
she would never leave them until they
were all provided for. would willingly
nave shared the heavy burdens that
now feu upon Alice, but she refused to
bind me to her Life OF toll and self
sacrlfice. she laid her love and ell her
bright hopes upon the altar OF duty !;
and l, appalled, py the sac1hce and mad
with DISAPPOINTMENT, ned from the
country and became Wanderer IN other
lands.
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