The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-26

S' VP''So aug, He OTH toteeIs Uo
Work.
The Covenanter's Daughter.
1t was beautiful evening in October.
The setting sun bathed the waters of the
Highland loch in food of golden light,
and the tiny wavelets leaped and danced
like little flames. A few heecy clouds
sailed across the deep blue sky, and the
shadows chased each other over the
heather-covered mountains Creeping
cautiously down the precipitious pathway
was little Scotch girl who had num-
bered some twelve summers. Carefully
and noiselessly she glides along, half con-
cealing herself in the shadow of the tan
gled brushwood till she comes to clump
OF trees where, puttingtaside the hanging
boughs, she enters a cave so carefully
concealed that person unaceuainted
with the hiding-place would have sought
for it in vain. A man was lying on a
heap of straw, deeply engaged in perusing
a well worn Bible.
Father
My child !" and the dark eyes lighted
up with pleasure as he heheld his little
visitor and drew her toward him. my
child my only treasure were it not for
thee l could willingly leave this earth
beautiful though it is. Death would but
introduce me to better. Listen, my
loved onel Our Master says, In my
Fathers house are many mansions :
There shall be no night there : God
will wipe away tears from off all faces.
O, child, shall life, shall death separate
us from Christ? No; in all these things
we are more than conquerors. Yet o,
my lonely church, my beloved flock who
will minister to you now who will show
you the way to heaven?"
" O father, God watches over us. He
will be our guide
Yes said the minister; he shall
feed his flock like shepherd. 1 will
trust him to the end. But Mary, my
child, 1 fear for you to be alone at night
Leave me now while tits yet light. God
bless thee, my only earthly treasure, and
grant that, if we meet no more on earth
we may meet in heaven.
Slowly and sadly Mary turned toward
the village. Would God forget to be
gracious? Would her beloved father
never stand again in the pulpit of his
little church and invite the people to the
Lamb of God who taketh away the sins
of the world ? Would
A loud shout fell on her ear. and the
tramp of horses came nearer and nearer.
Three soldiers, their carbines flashing in
the sun, were squirting up the hill, and
In few moments would reach the spot
where she stood. Shall she fly? She
cannot; she seems rooted to the ground.
Happen what may she will not betray her
fathers hiding-place. The brutal Claver-
house is one of the party.
All u laughs he, 1--WE shall uneartb
the old fox now. "Tell me, girl, where
is your father hid You have been to
him now. We saw you leave the wood
ten minutes ago."
II cannot tell you where he is"
"You cannot? You will not tell p
cried the Infatuated Claverhouse. al
VOW that in five minutes you shall die il
you will not"
Mary dropped on her kne es 4" o God
receive my spirit Bless my father, and
keep him from the hands of these cruel
men"
"stop your nonsense, grill Will you
tell ?"
"No."
"Then die !" and he drew pistol from
his holster and fred
Poor Mary fell on the grass, her life
blood staining it crimson, and with a
gentle sigh her spirit returned to God
who gave it. The troopers rode off to
continue their search, leaving her body
lying on the turf, where it was found
later in the evening by some villagers
who came to seek her. A simple stone,
with the initials an. H." marks the
spot where May Harvie chose death
rather than betray her father. Whether
the old mans hiding place was ever dis
covered know not but long ere this
father and child have been reunited in
the mansions of that God whom they both
loved while on earth.
Blessed are they which are perse-
cuted for righteousness sake" Matt V.
I0.)-Children s Friend.