The daily gazette., 1879-08-07
FIRST EDITION.
ESTHER'S TRIALS
BY d. II. MELROsE.

all things work together for good to them
that love him."
With these words, the little woman
folded the letter which she had Just read,
and laid it upon..the mantel-shelf with
trembling hand.
Poor Esther!
Her father had died after three days of
Inconsistencies, leaving his family in
volved in pecuniary difficulties.
Her mother, who had been bediidden
for number of years, did not long SUI
vive the Ceath of her husband.
With her head bent upon her knees,
Esther pondered over the contents of the
letter, and her slight form shook with a
tremor of deep emotion.
At length she arose, and tying on her
bonnet, went out into the orchard.
Leaving her for few moments, we
will take a peep at the letter on the
mantel-shelf.
"MY DEAR FRIEND: suppose you
are aware that, some time before his
death, your father borrowed from me
sum Of money, giving me as security
mortgage upon his farm. l saw your
broti er few doys ago and told him that
| was pressed Tor money, and would be
obliged to sell the m 'rtgage If he was
unable to redeem it. He told me that
he was not only unable but unwilling to
comply with my request; and certain
circumstances, over which had no con-
troll have compelled me to dispose of
the mortgage to young man of my ac-
qnaintance for ready money. Hearing
that this pers n intends settling on the
farm Immediately, feel it my duty to
notify you of the fact, and at the same
time Offer you home in my family until
you are able to procure suitable situa-
tion. "Yours, with respect,
"CHARLEs ELY"
Over the orchard Into the meadow
slow ly walked Esther.
She was thinking of the olden days
the days of happy childhood-when she
and Roger had scampered over that very
meadow, and sat under the shade of
yonder chestnut tree and she wondered
how Roger could have changed so much;
and how few years. residence In the
city could have blotted out all of the
sunny memories that were now rushing
back into her heart, and with all the
yearning love OF sister for an only bro
ther, she exclaimed:
"Oh, Roger, Rogerw
She thought, too, of Tom Wilson, the
companion of all their rambles, the sharer
Of all fun and frolic.
What Of Tom?
Had he, too, forgotten?
Tom, who, in later years, had tighten
ed for her many a household burden |;
wirv had vowed and won .sr, And whoss
wife she had promised TO be In the golden
years that were to come.
Surely he had not forgotten the past
although years ago he had gone out from
her pi essence with ffown upon his brow
because she cauld not, dare not, leave
her sick mother, and accompany him.
She would have followed him to the
end of the earth but for the sacred charge
that had been committed to her trust.
And she had never regretted the step
she had taken.
Roger had been led away by evil COM
panions; he had been lured by them in-
to a course of extravaganza and dissipa-
ton that ruined himself, burdened his
father, and which was now turning his
only sister homeless and psnniless upon
the world.
But Tom was proud-spirited and high
minded.
He would never stoop to be the slave
of his associat S.
Perchance, even now he was thinking
of her, and deeply repenting Of the hasty
step which had divided them, perhaps
forever. ....-
Thus thought and reasoned Esther as
she wandered from tield to field, con-
stantly discovering something that
brought another pang to her heart; and
onf a ttA~ ~I,a.I
ows of evening were shrOuding the land
scape, that she thought Of turning her
steps toward home.
Home 1t was know home OF hers now
She had no place on earth toscall by that
sweet name.
Henceforth strangers would gather
round the old beartbstone, and strang
voic esiwo ould ring throughthe old cottage
that had shielded and sheltered her in
fancy
Thus soliloquizing, Esther did not
observe stranger who had been watch
ing ber for some time, and who, on see
ing her come toward the orchard, had
carefully let down the bars of the gate,
and now stood waiting her approah.
With an exclamation Of surprise, she
started back and gazed full on the in
truder.
"Esther. don't you know me?"
An yes, tneeded not the b ,oai lllre
of day to tell Ester who stood there.
"Oh, Tomp
This was all she could utter.
He took her hand and led her to the
seat under the old pear-tree
He told her how long and how bitterly
he had repented of his conduct toward
her; how utterly he had despised himself
for his selfishness, and how shame and
pride had so long kept him from ac-
knowledging his fault and begging for
her forgiveness.
He told her Of all his wanderings, and
how her spirit had followed him and
watch ed over him, and streng thened him.
| How he had strugg ed and toiled and
saved only for her, aud now returned to
cast himself upon her mercy, hunbly
and truly peDltent.
And Esther was satisfied.
She spoke of all her trials and sorrows
during these long years.
or those who had been laid side by
side in the little graveyard on the hill; of
Rogers neglect and want of sympathy
with her in all her deep Affections.
Finally, she told him of the letter that
had broken the last link Of her earthly
associations, AMI that she had just re-
turned from bidding silent farewell to
the dear familiar haunts of childhood
and youth. -,
Tom drew paper from his pocket,
and laid II upon her lap.
In the deepening twilight 1t was very
difficult for Esther to make out Its im.
port, but she read enough to learn that
It was the mortgage which her father had
given to MIR. Ely, and he whole truth
flashed across her mind.
Sand SO 1t Is yours nowI" sne said.