The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-04

but Robert Harrell's days were all yesterdays.
His wtvering. uncertain course was run, and
before that tribunal from which there is no APP
peal, he had met Ruth Are.
AS the fever flush faded from his face, death
set its sgnet of mysterious beauty upon the
married visage. Time had silvered the chestnut
curls and craven deep lines upon the fair, broad
brow, but his lips as proudly curved, and
the long lashes rested as lightly upon his cheek
as years ago. when in the guise of a wandering
artist, he sought the shelter of the old farm
house. A few months of fancied happiness,
from which she was reused by the discovery of
his love for the dainty Ruth. Then he had gone
away, leaving a burden of shame to be borne for
years by innocent hearts, and she had thought
the world was not wide enough for her and this
man. Now she sat gazing upon his dead face,
forgetful of all but her early love. Forgive
me, Ruth" she nurmured, chatting his cold
hands. "but loved him once, and surely it is
not wrong to be at peace with the dead
Jakes voice startled her. he stood in the door
way gazing upon the scene and trembling as if
with the palsy. miss Betsey, is it himl' at last
he inquired in a sacred whisper.
Eyes, Jake, it's him. was the reply.
"Ihe ways of Providence is wonderful" eX-
claimed the negro. 81 thought it would come
home to him, but never lowed that you'd tend
on him"
He told me while he was dying that he was
married to Miss Ruth and that he came back
for her after his father died, but her face was so
Scared by the smallpox that he couldn't carry
her back among his fine folks
Uncle Jakes eyes flashed. 'Humphi l won
der if old Master will let him in among his
angels with that swollen face of his. Bless the
Lord, was always good to Miss Ruth. Many
the day she'd come and set down in the cabin
with Dnah and me, and cry till our hearts
ached over her. But it's all right now whGr
she's gone"
An hour after, Miss Betsy standing in the
doorway, saw a crowd of men approaching with
lighted torches and barrels of tar. Calling to
no. 10 A1,,h 0,, nod fhnTY
tention of burning the house without removing
the body. They were wild with terror, and a
man would have quaied before such mob, but
Aunt Bet drew her tall figure to its full height
saying in her quietest tones:
There's going to be no heather funeral
around Topacoa while Betsey Aires living I
don't move step out of this house till me and
Jake carry the body out to give it Christian
burial. If you are scared of a dead man, I'll
wait till tonight and you go in your houses
and shut your doors and windows, and we'll bury
him bV tOrchlight.n
She waited not for their reply but disappeared
in the house, and after brief consultation the
men disappeared
AS the shadows of night wrapped the world in
darkness, Aunt Bet and Jake carried the body
to its lonely grave in the pine forest, for the
simple villagers would not grant it burial with
their dead. AS soon as the coffin was removed
a torch was applied to the house, and the tongues
of fire tapping round the dry logs shed lurid
glare upon the two lonely figures with their
CHASTITY burden. Bats and owls, startled by the
flames, crcled above their heads, while fright
ened rabbits darted across their pathway, and
the dry grass rustled with the sinuous move
ment of rattlesnake.
Lord have mercy upon u.s.! muttered Uncle
Jake; 'the curse follows him even to the grave"
I'VE are not the Judges of that solemny re-
sponded his mistress, for there's more mercy
where he's gone than we have for one another;
and think he meant to do right"
How good Aunt Bets got to be lately said
Nansie to Uncle Jake one day, as he was weed
ing the flower-garden given her by her aunt.
Miss Betsey was always good oman" was
his reply; but tell you, chile she's had sight
more to stan than you'll ever know about
When Gabriel blows his trumpet 1 only want to
be alongside of ole Miss, and this nieger's shore
of good place, for she's one of EN- as has been
through the fire here.