The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-05-05


rebellion to her authority, although he saw
how each day her face lost its color, aud more
than once her eyes were heavy with uushsd
tears nevertheless be had no idea a going
back on his word.
He had promised to oust her, and he meant
to do 1t but he grew impatient to have the
thing over. He had done some electioneeriug
among tho boys, and all hands came together
on Monday to give Daisy the coup do grace.
But it was not done on Monday, or the next
day, nor the next. Friday came and Daisy
was still mistress of the fort, although It was
with tattered flags and shattered walls, for
the sweet face had lost all its color and the
lips were pinched and drawn with suffering !;
and all appearance of order had disappeared
from the school. This day misery seemed to
have reached It's acme. There was scarcely
any attempt TO study on the part Of the scnol
ars. They whispered, laughed, changed seats,
threw paper pellets at each other, encouraged
by the smiling appreciation of Rob, who
smoked two segars during the afternoon while
he leisurely turned the pages of u dime novel.
1t seemed to Daisy the hours were intermn-
able. But the weariest day will ha' an end
at last"
The clock struck four and then one and
all, from Rob Fielding to the least rushed pei
mel from the school honse, not one staying to
help her sweep the school room, or close the
heavy paddock of thc-dcor. But she was
thankful they did not, for scarcely had their
footsteps left the threshold when, unable to
control herself longer, she burst into uncon-
trolable weeping. After the first burst of
grief was over, she swept up the room and
carefully put out the fire, while all the time
great tears rolled down her cheeks.
II must not go home to mother this way"
she sobbed " oh, what shall do !? How can
I teach longers And If don't what will be-
come of us ? F" Sinking down passionate
prayer leaped from her pale lips "Oh,
Heavenly Father change the heart of Rob
Fielding and make him a Christian
With her little hands clasped, aud her
streaming face uplifted she repeated again
and again that one petition.
Then she prayed for her poor suffering
mother and for herself that God would take
care of them in their troubles aud poverty,
and again she closed with that one feryent
cry, Change the heart of Rob Fielding and
make him Christian
Daisy had listener to that prayer that she
dreamed not of. just outside the door, which
was ajar, stood Rob. He had returned for
his skates, and hearing voice, paused near
the door, aud then 1t seemed as though he
was frozen to the spot.
| H. ba,,rd IL al hos xra x,or for IA 4, !. 4
her agonized CRY for support and strength
Daisy seemed to feel that her prayer would
be answered a sweet peace stole over her.
She bathed her face, pinned on her shawl,
tied on theiry veil, aud with dual look at the
fire and shutters went out.
She was met by Rob, who came walking
briskly up as though he had just arrived.
/" Excuse me, Miss ventnor," he said, @ I
left my skates in my desk, | will not detain
you but a moment"
He came out almost Immediately, took the
key from her hand, adjusted the heavy hasp,
locked the door, handed her back the key, and
lifting bis hat with respectful .good even-
ing,v walked away. The shadows were fall
ing before Daisy reached home, but her heart
was not so heavy. She seemed to have left
her burden behind her in the old school house
where she had knelt to pray.
Rob went home, ate his supper, and then
went out upon the river, where merry group
were skating and dancing in the glowing
light Of the full moon !; but all the time that
agonizing cry "Change the heart of Rob
Fielding and make him Christian haunted
him. He heard it above the shouts of mirth
and the sound of dancing feet. Finally he
left his companions, and skating down shin.
ing path to a clump of oaks whose dark
shadows promised cover from observers and
there on the ice he knelt and echoed Daisy's
prayer, .'Ob, Heavenly Father, change my
heart and make me Christiaui'
But the more he prayed the more distressed
lie became. His past life of ingratitude to
4 God passed before him, and his wicked con-
duct during the past weeks rose like an
avenging spirit, and filed his heart with re-
morse.
How had Daisy Ventnor injured him, that
he should take the very bread out Of her
mouth? All her patience, her fearful sweet
ness, came back to condemn him. just then
on the clear, still night came the sound OF the
church bell He recalled how Deacon Beach
had invited him to the anxious seat.
The Deacon was Christian professedly a
very devout one, and yet he had set him
about this business. Daisy had prayed that
Rob might be Christian then he would not
do SO.
How then could Deacon Beach be Christ
ian ? Then came mp that old dodge Of the
Evil One II the Deacon was Christian hs
did not want to be. Then suddenly pale
face bathed in tears, slender hands clasped in
supplication, and quivering voice asking for
strength to endure the bitter trial he was put
ting upon her, occurred to him, and again he
seemed to hear that fervent cry, "Change his
heart and make him Christian" No petit
tion for vengeance, no wish for retribution,
but pleading with God for his souls best
welfare.
Rob skated across the river, took. of his
x,c,,t t<,,.o 81 l,onso Failing hat ba