Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-09-12

lain so smooth and plain before her
that she might have walked in it blind
folded. If this was lost piece of sill
yer was it not she who had lost it but
what if it were the masters, precious
to His heart and careless hand had
dropped 1t, and left it to lie in the dust ?
And what if He bade her to seek it and
find it for Him? Should she dare re-
fuse +? On this very day, when she need
ed so sorely the help which she had
looked for in vain, had not this woman
been sent to her very door. and was it
not plain leading of Providence? 1t
is blessed thing for US that We are
usually driven to act first and theorize
afterwards, even thoug h the afterthought
sometimes brings repentance. The
bread was ready for the oven and the
wood-bo was empty.
"You may fetch in some woods said
Mary Rogers. and the woman promptly
obeyed, filling the box with one load of
her sinewy arms. and then stood dumb
ly waiting. Hetty came into the kitch-
en- and began to clear the table, but
her mother took the dishes from her
hands.
$50 up stairs and fetch big apron
and one of your sweeping caps, and then
you may get at your sewing and see if
you can finish up your dress"
Away went Hetty, her light heart
bounding with unexpected release, and
her mother turned again to the woman,
furnished her with coarse towel and
sent her to the wash-house for a thor
ough publication. Half an hour after
ward, with her hair hidden in the mus
lin cap, her whole figure enveloped in
the clean calico apron, comely woman
was silently engaged in household tasks
doing her work with such rapid skill
that the critical housewife drew sigh
of relief.
There's a hae'ful of towels and
coarse clothes left from the ironing
you might put the iron on, Mary, and
smooth 'em OUT
The woman turned q startled face
upon her, and then went quickly for the
clothes, but something-was it tear
rolled down the swarthy cheek, and
mingled with the bright drops she
sprinkled over them. When had she
ever been called Mary When had she
ever heard any name but Moll? Not
since away among the New Hampshire
hills pale woman had laid her hand
upon the tangled curls of her little
daughter. and prayed that from the
strange world to which she was speed
ing. she might be allowed to watch ovel
these wayward feet lest they should g
astray. Had she watched did she
know? Moll hoped not; it made be-
shudder to think of it. What would
heaven be worth if she could see ant
know and yet. what did she hea
about joy in heaven over one slime
that repented? If there was JOY i
must be that they knew; or perhap
only good news was carried there.
That night Hetty sang again at he
sewing by the lamp, and from the atti
window, far above her head. the wan
derer leaned out into the dark to listen
The little chamber was bare of orna
ments there was not picture on tn
cleanly whitewashed walls, and tn
straight curtain was for decency, no
; drapery but it seemed to this lost on
very chamber of peace. The grea
! Norway pine almost brushed her chez
with its resinous plumes, blamy wit
, moist night air. and bird hidden som
where among its branches, sent out
5 startled. half-awake cry, and then drol
ped off to sleep again. There was
| pale young moon low in the wester
f sky, with black clouds scudding acros
1t, and the dull, steady sound of th
river. pouring over the great dam in th
: valley, seemed to come nearer and nea
er like the tramp of feet Martha Ros
r ers went out to the milk room and stoo
D for moment in the door, shading tt
? Pickering candle in her hand. She wa
: only taking housewifely observatio
upon the gathering storm, but it SCENE
to the wanderer that she might we'll
woman who had lighted a candle
search for the lost piece of silver, an
o with dim comprehension of love Q
0 earth and joy in heaven she tried
: pray and tell asleep.
: Silas Rogers listened to the days st
: ry as he sat mending bit of harne
a with clumsy fingers. He may be fo
J. given if his thoughts sometimes wande
e ed to the hay so fortunately secure
}, from the storm, or ran over the grist
u be sent to the mill in the morning if
e proved wet day. or speculated curiou
ly ON the superhuman knowledge of a
7. manac men but, on the whole he VI
n tolerably attentive. and certainly gras
t ed the idea that his wife had secured
valuable and much-needed helper.
A alt seems risk to run" said Martl