Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-02-24

burdened with thoughts and cares, and
hours OF pain, whose meanings she
dare not understand, but which drives
her fevered, craving heart the closer to
J him and he, all unconscious Of the
teeming, surging fancies, all unknowing
Of those sorrowful, heavy hours, Won
ders at the inequality of her spirits,
and her many eSactions, while he
loves her none the less nor neglects his
duties a whit the more.
You might call them, at this stage of
the Idyl, Snow and Fire, and wonder
little at the sequel.
1t was close on Sunday morning when
the pastor put away his work and
thought of rest. Never mind, it was
good sermon, and before leaving his
study he prayed humbly that he might
| be blessed to some among his flock,
perhaps even to his own eve lamb.
Laurette had not yet retired. Foolish
girl, she must be sitting alone down
stairs waiting for him.
The gas was not lit in the parlor, but
at the sound of his steps in the hall the
housekeeper an elderly woman with
peculiarly cold eye came up from the
kitchen region IA note III her hand.
mis- Haslem has gone out, sir and
she told me not to disturb YOU on no
account till you had come down, and
to give you this note. | expect sir"
said the woman demurely smoothing
down her apron,as her stealthy eye
watched her masters face, "she's gone
to spend the evening at some of them
friends of hers and wants you to 60 for
her. It's a rainy night for you to go
out after your work, sir,-hel he,-
you'll not get the comfort with young
wife that you had when you was your
own MASTER
But Mr.. Haslem was deaf to old
Martha's words of wisdom.
He had torn open the note, and read
what turned him cold and blind rs
stone.
This from his own little wife.
| am going away-out of your hte forever,
Beranger. | have thought 1t all over and 1t is
best. After awhile marry again, for | shall be
dead; and don't make such another mistake. Take
her you should have taken but for me. Oh, my
love, never blamed you
LAuRErrE.
"The Lord is your sun and shield,
and He will watch over her you mourn
and will preserve her from harm" said
good Elder Crayton, when a week
later, he bent over his young pastors
pillow, and held his burning hand IN
his. and perhaps this viii be blessed
to the hayward child and ordered for
her and your more lasting happiness,
BE not disquietcd; nothing is suspected
rs yet among the people, and we must
keep her name spotless. They think
you took her 10 her home to see some
sick relative, and | will explain her
continued absence"
| So this wise friend stood between the
crushed minister and the cruel darts Of
slander-told all inquirers that Mrs.
Haslem had been sent by the Lord
to fulfill Il mission elsewhere" and,
meanwhile, prayed hard for good to
come out OF the great evil.
But six months passed away and Be
ranger Haslem was still desolate.
1t was vaguely reported that Mrs.
Haslem was nursing some dying rela-
tive, perhaps with Il cloud over his or
her name, hence the pastors relicence
and sadness, The truth was never
once suspected, and, be it said to poor
Laurette,s credit, none, even the most
slauderous, dreamed of associating
wrong with her.
Six months, and Christmas eve Mr.,
HaslCm is once more III his study,
working ut his Christmas sermon, with
care and weary sadness in his pale face
IA heart fighting for truth amid much
despair within.
The room had not that bright, dainty
air it wore six months ago, though old
Martha prided herself on taking the
fire burned dimly, half smothered in
ashes; the books were piled anyhow;
the little sewing chair waited on the
heart waited still
Suddenly the door was opened wide,
but silently, and Laurctte stood there,
| the SNOW ON her poor garments,
great quiyering light growing ON her
white face. And i'll her outStretched
arms, while her lips moved specchless-
| ~ and her hollow eyes appealed, she
held a sleeping babe
Was it phantom?
He sprang up, scattering books and
manuscript, and faced her, trembling
and wondering-afraid that she might
vanish away.
"Beranger p breathed Laurette, tim
idly, Eve brought you Il Christmas
gitt-our child -
My God 20 calculated Mr., Haslem,
lis this possible"
lie put his arm around them, and,
scarce conscious, drew them to the