Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-04-07
Forgiveness.

4 short winter afternoon was fast deep
ening into twilight, and the snow, that had
been threatening all day, was beginning to
toss about the first of its white favors, as a
lady stood at large easement anxiously
gazing across the valley on the cedar
fringed mountain road opposite.
She was apparently about twenty
years of age, with soft gray eyes and clear
though pale complexion. Could she have
been transported to Chestnut Street or
Broadway. with the accomplishments OF
crimpS, rats, turban and pheasant wing, she
might have passed for scarcely twenty; but
here al home, in her soft lavender dress
which harmonized so well with the shining
biown hair plainly braided back from her
face, and the tiny blue bow at her throat,
the five years seemed rather TO be CT the
ether side But her countenance was not
dependent for its charm on either youth or
beauty; but one of those quiet home faces,
which as the years pass along, gather by
the side of sick-beds, over cradles-and 1t
may be over graves-a beauty which the
evanescent glow of youth rarely equals. So
a, least thought Dr. Ashley. when three
wears before, he took her from the village
school. and the tuition of rough miner
children, TO be the light and comfort OF his
home.
Ii is for him that she is straining her
ewes with looking into the darkness, and a
glad smile rises 10 her face az something
moves among the cedars, clatters across the
bridge in the valley where the village lights
are already twinkling, and moment later
the well-known gig rattles up to the door.
He was only rough old country doctor,
this husband of Lucy Ashley, but TO her he
was a ero-demigod-the representative OF
all that is noble and good in manhood.
And, indeed, we might make heroes OF
worse material than of some OF those
bronzed and weather-beaten disciples OF the
healing art, who, regardless alike of heat OF
cold, day or night, spend their lives in at
tending suffering humanity.
"Wa,ehing, Lucy:" cried the CHEEKY
voice, as having shaken off the feaihery
snowaakes the doctor entered the easement
which she held open for him.
1t was a very plain room; deriving the
most of its charm from the white curtains,
fragrant plants, and neatly arranged tea
table, yet pervaded by an air of comfort
which in more luxurious apartments /:
eftcn lacking.
After the pleasant tea was over and the
doctor established in dressing gown and
slippers by the fireside Ia position he migh'
possibly hold throughout the evening, bu
from whence 1t was more probably that ht
would soon be called TO drive SIX or eigh
miles over the mountains), Lucy brought
her low chair and her knitting and sat be
side him. Evidently she had something @
importance to say, for her work progressec
fitfully, till at last throwing it down in des
peration, and raising her eyes, she ex
claimed, hurriedly, as though the subjec
was Gisagreeable and must be gottel
through quickly:
sRobert, another letter came today from
Mrs Hervey.'
.'ro youf"
"Yes; at least addressed to me, though
of course il concerns you moro nearly. III
bring it.
NO" said he, OBTAINING her. Il don
care TO see it. l suppose it is only a areas
sertion of her husbands innocenee!
Yes, principally; she says that his las
/ words were, ask Cousin Robert TO forgiv'
/ me for these years of estrangement, and tel
him. on the word of dying man, that
know nothing of the deed which ha
caused, all the trouble
sTye heard all that before. Had the wo
man sent the deed il would have made
difference; but as she won't, why Shoui'
she presume to trouble you shout ii :"
IL suppose she thought that could plea
her cause better than herself, and indee'
Robert, cannot help thinking that ther
NAV have been some mistake. Anothe
reason is, she says, that she is herself sink
ing rapidly, that she has no relations in tn
world, and asks us to receive her It'll
boy. who Is your namesake. She add
that if she only could get your forgiveness
to carry 10 her husband, she woul
he willing TO travel on foot lay her bab
in my arms, and die.
"Nonsense !" exclaimed the doctor. Sh
need do nothing more melodramatic tina
sending on the deed. And as for her hui
band, il he has Gods forgiveness he doc
no. need mine. tell you, Lucy, that ma
injured me more than you can understand
but for him, might now be in possess,c
of lucrative city practice, instead OF drat
eing out beggarly existence among the'
hills"
..But would never have known yo'
them" said Lucy, laying her clasped han'
on bis knee.
(which means, l suppose, he re1oane'
smiling and smoothing back a stray tre
| from her face, that ] would never ha'