South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-06-01
seA Rodaacy. 1tshSshire County, West Va, 1888

Il
daily visits o her her new friend as
the indispensable consolation Of her
waning existence.
On this day Ruth Markham had
cent a special request to Susan for n
call after school. and 80, taking little
Mabel Burt by the hand, the teacher
walked briskly to the house of herin.
valid friend. The latter. confined to
her bed now, and only too evidently
fas. nearing the unseen shore. greeted
her visitor with glad smile as she
came to the bed-ide.
1T Is 80 good of you to como and
see me- She said. clasping the extend
ed hand with beth her oW n thin ones.
L know it is selfish of me to claim SO
much of your time; but l shall not he
with you long, and did want to see
you Tonight. want to tell you how
happy l am to day, tor all Is bright
and am resigned to the Lords Will
You know it has seemed hard I'd nue.
to give up life while l am so young,
and it seemed as though there was SO
much to live for, and everything to
make me comfortable aud happy
But see clearly now, and ii it is tho
Lord 8 will l am rcadyr
The Saviour said, Not my will, but
thine, o Father, be done,' returned
Susan gently. Il have learned TO
trust him aud to live, when il would
have been sweet to die!
Long and earnestly tie two friends
conversed Of that better life which to
both was a matter not of speculation
anu hope, merely, bat Of earnes, aud
unwavering belief and trust. Of what
else, indeed, could they speak, when
the foot OF one already pressed The
threshold of the unseen Mansion?
The evening meal in tho farmers
home was over, and the suns golden
disk touched the tree.tops, but the
pale girl still held the hand o. her visi.
tor. Finally she said, almost in a
Whisper
Susan. you have sympatl,ized with
me, and helped me to bear my trial,
until | have become strong, and can
trust everything with my heavenly
Father. But you have never conlid.
ed your trials 10 me, 80 that l could
return your sympathy For know
that you have grown strong through
suffering. Am not right2'
les. you are right Miss Rodgers
said. and then she paused. But pre-.
scntly she added, Il did not think to
ever speak OF my grief, Tor have tri-
ed TO bury and forget it; bot l will
conhde III you, since you desire it.
Years ago | met aud loved noble
young man. l loved him with my
whole heart, an | he was equally de-
voted to me. The day was fixed for
our union, but before it came an evil
fate overlook him. His good name
was not enough to save him from the
forces OF clrcumstantial evidence, and
nc was sent to prison-yes, to prison
charged with an infamous crime!
But no was not guilty! ] know that
he could not be guilty, and over and
over again he has assured me that he
was wholly innocent But, Oh, that in,
nocence cannot be proved, aud be is
suffering for another's crime, while
both our lives are blighted; for
though | shall ever love and trust
INN, and remain true to him.a though
L were indeed his wife, vet even were
he free, he would never consent to
give to me q name that was not jus.i.
fed before all the world. That is the
sorrow that l bear ever in my heart.
and lis only alienation comes through
the little happiness | may be able to
shed on other human hearts that
suffer-
and surely God will bless you, as
pray that he may said the pale
sufferer, as she kissed the hand of her
now weeping friend
oh Miss Rodgers y exclaimed little
Mabel, when they were at lea 9Th rea-
dy to set out for the latter's home.
It's most dark, and Uncle Jake's
~oods will be dretful lonesome =
'Shan't | go with you?' asked Mr..
Markham. las the child says, it'll
be pretty dark through the woods
ooh, no, thank you = returned Su.
san cheerily there isnothing 70 fear,
l am sure
NO, | don't suppose there is any
thing TO be ofraid Of. We amt law.
less set in this neigLborhood only
there might be cattle or something
out
But Susan walked briskly away,
Mabel trotting at her side, aud as the
sturdy farmer gazed after her in ad.
miration, he sail to himself, more
thar TO those within hearing,-
well, | never saw the like OF our
teacher, never =
1t was quite dark when Miss Rodgers
aid her young companion reached
the edge OF the forest, and within its
dreary stretch, where the .overarching
trees shut out the possibility of a ray
OF starlight,-the only light of the
world without,-tbe gloom wac ia,
tense