The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-26

upon Mr.. st. Ledger, which he did.
He found him occupying one very small
room, which served him for bed and sitting
room, in a small cottage upon the outskirts
of the little secluded town of Briarwood
He looked extremely i'll; his beautiful
countenance was preternaturally pale; his
large eyes far too bright and large; his form
attenuated; and his voice so faint, husky,
and low that it was with difficulty he
could make himself heard at least for any
length of time together.
The expression of his countenance how.
ever, was rather grave than sad; resigned
than melancholy. He was serious but per.
fectly composed; nay, there was even a
chastened cheerfulness in his manner. He
looked like one who had accepted the cup
presented to him; had already exhausted
most of the bitter potion, and was calmly
prepared to drain it to the dregs.
And so it had been.
No man was ever more exquisitely con-
stituted to suffer from circumstances so
agoni2ing than he. But his mind was of a
lofty stamp; he had not sunk under his
sutlerings. He had timely considered the
reality of these things. He had learned to
connect, really, truthfully, faithfully, the
trials and SORROWS of this world with the
retributions of another. He had accepted
the part allotted to him in the mysterious
scheme; had played it as best he could, and
was now prepared for its impending close.
1t is consollng to know one thing. In his
character of minister of the holy word of
God he had been allowed the privilege of
attending the last illness of both mother
and sister, both so deeply, deeply, yet
silently, beloved in spite of all; and,
through these blessed means, the full value
and mercy of which, perhaps, such grie-
vous sinners are alone able to entirely esti-
mate, he had reconciled them, as he had
trusted, with that God "who forgiveth all
our iniquities and healeth all our diseases. {"
Having been allowed to do this, he felt as
if it would be the basest ingratitude to
murmur because his services in the pulpit
were suddenly arrested by the disease in
his chest, and with it stop put to further
usefulness, and even to the supply of his
daily bread.
He was calmly expecting to die in the re-
ceipt of parish relief: for he had not pen
ny beyond his curate's salary; and it was
impossible to allow Mr.. Thomas, who was a
poor man himself, to continue that, now
the hope of restoration to usefulness
seemed at an end. 1t was not likely, in
deed, that he should, upon the spare her
mit's diet which mis- scanty means allowed,
recover from a complaint of which weak
ness was the foundation.
He ha1 tried to maintain himself by his
pen, but the complaint which prevented
his preaching was equally against the posi-
ton when writing. He could do so little
in this way that it would not furnish him
with loaf week. A ray Of genuine pleas
ure, however, shot to his eye, and faint
but beautiful flush mounted to his cheek,
when Edgar entered and cordially held out
his hand.
He was such dear, warm-hearted fellow,
was Edgar. st. Ledger had loved him so
entirely at school; and those days were not
so very long since The impression old Time
had not even yet attempted with his busy
fingers to eftace.
Il am so glad to have found you out, my
dear fellow" Edgar began. "Who would
have thought Of meeting you of all people
in the world here, esconced in such quiet
nook of this busy island place where the
noise and hustle and stir of the Great
Babylon can not even be heard. But what
are you doing in this place? for you look
i'll, must say and you seem to be left tc
yourself without a human being to look
after you"
Much so. You know am quite alone
in the world"
"a dismal position that, and am come
to put an end to it. My wife insists upor
making your acquaintance, and scutDled
me off this morning without giving me
time to eat my breakfast though, to owl
the truth, | was ready enough myself TO Sc
out. The General desired me to bring mi
card; he is too intirm to go out himself, ant
he and Mrs. Melwyn request the favor o
your company at dinner tomorrow at sil
O. clock"
81 should be very happy, but" and ht
hesitated.
''lll come and fetch you in the dog-car
about five, and drive you down again in th
evening It's a mere step by Hatherwa.
Lane which is quite passable at this tim
Of year, whatever it may be in winter"
To BE Continued