Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-06-05

peaFe0 from the nelghDOrhOOd
without a farewell 10 any who had
known him
After time a letter came "a the
parish clergyman to tell that he
was safe, and about to sail for
foreign land, and from that hour
for all those twenty years, no It'd
ings of John Francis fell upon FL
sieRaymond's ears. When sh e
knew that he WAS gone and would
not return, she carefully gathered
together every little memento of
the happy season of her love, and
locked them in the casket he had
given her, thenceforth to be the
shrine of her affections. Then
sternly and uncomplainingly she
tdrned TO her life task.
Year after year rolled on. Elsie
spun and wove. and directed her
maidens and her farm laborers,
and taught and nursed her BROTH
ers and sisters, and in all things
strove to supply to them the place
OF the parents they had lost.
In time the wounds of her heart
healed, at least they ceased to bleed
at every touch, and learned to find
solace in the affection of her chill
dren, as she called them, while
habit made her duties light and
pleasant.
The midnight hour had already
passed when Elsie rose TO retire.
Her long. lonely vigil had lnade
her timid and nervous, and she
could hardly repress shrek of
alarm, as just at that moment a
heavy knock was heard at the
outer door, and resounded through
the house. ~
But Elsie's only thought was of
a summons TO some sick or dying
bed, for in that quiet neighbour
hood, people were seldom abroad
at night on less urgent errands; SO
smiling at her causeless alarm and
still trembling In spite of her
bravery, she undid the fastenings
of the door and threw it open.
A tall man, wrapped in q long,
dark riding cloak. stood upon the
threshold. By the light of the
flaring candle Elsie held, she
could not distinguish his face.
She only saw the strange, eager
look of pair of very bright eyes,
as the stranger bowed in answer
to her SALVATION.
MADAM" he said, 81 am be-
nighted, as you see, and la trying
to reach the next village have lost
my way. / am drenched to the
skin, and my horse is too weary
to go further through these miry
roads, and seeing light here. ]
have ventured to crave a shelter
for him and myself for the re-
mainder of the night. / assure
you that you will find me no I'M
grateful guest"
Sir Elsie resumed. simply,
"the doors of Raymond farm have
never been closed to the weary
wayfarer. Enter, and servant
will care for your horse.'
The stranger bowed again, and
passed her silently, as she held
back the broad leaf of the door.
What was it that. at the sight OF
that tall muffied 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 en-
bers, 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
aud called the gardner 10 take
charge of the horse that was neigh
ing impatiently at the outer gate.
| When she came back she busted
herself silently, in preparing re-
| freshments for the stranger, who
still sat beside the hearth casting
curious glances at her as she NOV
ed about. Thrill after thrill shot
through Elsie's frame as she met
those bright, strange glances. She
had begun to feel almost frighten-
ed at his singular manner, when
he suddenly addressed her. --a
! MADAM" he said, pointing to
the row of little shoes, and the
OVERLOOKING basket of toys, 81 see
lonely as is this house, it is not
desolate. Human flowers, that
brighten so many homes, bloom
here. You have little children,
beautiful and loving, and doubt
less good husband. Pardon me,
madam, he added, observing Ell
sizes emotion, I'VE who are wan
derers up and down the world are
wont TO notice with somewhat
of Jealousy the tokens of domestic
happiness that are denied to u.s."
He was silent as If waiting for
an answer, and Elsie, conquering
her emotion. answered uuietly.