The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-29
llnounting, he rode away with his jaded

s-~0ah1h 81 Nv ASAS WAsh hiS JouSu
beast
But she was at the cabin almost as
soon as he, eagerly and efficiently help
tul despite the agony of sorrow and
helplessness which possessed her as she
saw how little science and love could
prevail against the relentless death that
was lighting for possession Of the poor,
old black bodies she loved so well. Fol-
it was in vain that he expended all his
kno wledge and she all her tender care;
the second morning, with last, faithful
loving look from his dim eyes, and las,
gentle murmur OF "Good-by, little Mis-.
sey; don't cry for me-" Uncle Jake had
fallen asleep, and few hours later, ole
nanny, too, had passed away.
i That evening Ellen Ev-estt stood be
lfore four graves. two Of them freshly
made, for she had lain the bodies of tn,
old blacks here, "beside her other par
ents," as she said. In the utter stiffness
which, falls with the setting of the SUI
she could hear, far down the road, tn,
departing footsteps and voices of th'
men who had borne her only friends Il
their resting place at her feet. She lie
tened 10 them until they had fa1ed away
aud then stood listening still for on,
more sound. No, they were gone, ant
she was alone, alone, alone forever.
So she cried wildly as she threw her
self down among the graves, casting t.
the winds the self control that had neve
wavered until now.
But she was not alone, for hand
stronger than her own took them ant
held them 10 a close grasp. and, In .
frightened glance she saw the strons
sympathy in the manly face which sh,
had learned to trust and turn to In ths
last two days. AS naturally and thank
fully as child she accepted it, and lay
ing her face upon his arm, wept out the
iirst bitterness of her grief. 1t was no
long before she had wept herself quiet
but she did not raise her head for some
time, and when she did 80 perceived thai
night had almost fallen.
Gently disengaging her hands from
his she rose to her feet, then again ex.
tending them to him as be stood by her
side. "Good night" she said. "You
can not know how l thank and bless
you. Good night"
..Oh! child" he cried, retaining her as
she would have turned away, II cannot
leave you here. l cannot let you go
back to that lonely cabin alone"
Il must" she said sadly; 81 have no
where else that can CO."
"Nell," he said eagerly, "if you will
have it so you need never return there
you and need never part, if you will
be my wife, Nell"
She uttered a low cry, and drawing
her hands away buried her face in them,
and turned from him. "Oh!' she cried
bitterly, "you say that because you pity
me. You would never have said it else.' y
II say it because love you. l would
never have said it else"
"But you are so wise, aud good, and
"And yon are so brave, and beautiful,
and true. You asked me the other nj sht
to forgive you How can I, if you
trample on my heart and make of it such
a wreck of weeds and desolatlon as the
Northern soldiers never made of that
field below there? How can II you
refuse the prayer that mans heart new.
er but once makes to a woman-a prayer
for the complement to his heing which
her love alone can give7 Nell, there is
but one chance OF happiness in this
world for me, and it is that which I am
asking of you."
He saw her face in The clear light of
the rising moon as she turned it toward
him, aud it gave him all the answer that
any mans heart should have required.
But be waited for her words.
s.There is nothing OF which nv life
has been deprived" she said, slowly,
'.of which it is possible to read in those
wasted fields or in these graves before
US that yonr words have not repaid me
a hundredfold. And IL give you all
have to give you; l love you."