Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-07-18
The restless look wandered about, and
her thin fingers twisted together ner-

her thin fingers twisted together ner-
vously. e ~, ',. 4
Good Mrs. Lee was as successful in
finding out anything about their guest as
her husband had been. The poor old
woman answered all questions freely
save those which touched on her destina-
ton, but they seemed to excite and dis.
tress her. .....
"You can talk about your child dyin',
honey" she said, "but dyin' and dead
means eternal life. She's a-waitin' fer
you and, as I'll get there first, I'll give
her message for you. | won't forget
it" and the bright, happy look came
back. "You've been good to me and
I'll not forget it," -.-r..
Every now and then moods of deep
thought came upon the woman and she
seemed lost to all consciousness of her
surroundings. When little Emily knelt
at her side for her evening prayer, she
said, solemnly: .
"Pray God, dearie, we may soon get
home"
The ola woman looked at her with
vague trouble in her eyes. She seemed
trying to find some clew to something IN
her mind which evadsd her.
The next morning, after an early
breakfast, the old woman in her gentle
way thanked her kind entertainers and
prepared to go.
"H's coming on to snow or freeze,
mother" said the farmer, as he walked
10 the gate with her. you'd better
stop here with us to-day. In fact"
looking up at the sky, 81 don't think L
can let you go. Pll keep you until the
weather clears"
ooh. know the way. It's straight
]. ahead and no turnin' to left nor right. L
couldnt miss the way" She took the
child's hand and trembling in every
limb. started off. But when she had
gone few steps she returned to MIR. Lee
, who was watching her with troubled
eyes.
said, .I'll tell you where I'm going
Eend down and let me whisper 1T II
f your ear. Honey, Pm going to my
children-there!" and then in pursu
ance of her idea to turn neither ID left ol
right. she travelled straight before her OF
! long unused road, which led them int
thorn bushes, and at last into a drearI
, wood.
, "There isn't a mile-post nor sign
; hoard. dearie," the cid woman muttered
.sbut I'm sure TO be on the right road.
/. reckon this is the Valley of the Shad
ow., and He promised to be with me-"
> al don't see nobC dy," the child said
/, shivering. "And, oh, grannie, Pm s
J. coldp
"Come, let's sit under this tree
i dearie, and I'll wrap you up till you ge
]. warm. No, you don't see nobody, an
:. can't see neither"
"Tm so cold, grannie," murmured tn
e child.
"Can YOU walk on, dearie ?" she sait
= "NO.n sobbed the child, my fee
% hurt. and Pm SO tired. Let me get int
: your lap, grannie, and 60 to sleep"
Tenderiy the old woman wrapped th
10 child in her own cloak, leaving herse
20 exposed to the cold, which was increa
i inc. and chafed her cold hands, until tn
little one fell into a profound slee
a 1--WE always heard say" she muttere
~ cts darker and more stormy the hoI
m before you get there. Perhaps WEI
'. very near now, and when the sun shin
r we'll see it.
W "I see the jasper walls alight,
II Through cloud and storm of comm nlgf
- Oh / blessed home the way is long,
70 But hope is clear, and faith is strong.
"a Two men found her late that afte
n, noon. One was Mr.. Lee, the other
We tall, middle aged man with a carewc
in face.
ed AMY God! here she is" said the farm'
4 "and we lost SO much precious TIL
,is poin' down the other road"
The other threw his arms around t
mt insenslble form, and the moveme
ed awakened the child, who opened h
MT ewes and stared at him. But he 81
if nothing but the face which now rest
nd on ais bosom.
Itb "Speak to me, mother" he crie1:" L
he come back to you, your own Iom.
nt. Her eyelids quivered, and with dt
ed sigh she opened her eyes. Its
ar Tom" she cried, in tones Of costa
VAS "And Pve got there at last? Oh! tn
me they all are. Pm there at last"
he she was there at last. She had g
to home. Youths Companion.