St. Landry democrat., 1885-07-04

the pavement and the brick walls.
And everything smells so sweet here. F."
''And yet you want to go away"
"There isn't anything to love here, "
said the child, imply. 81 wanted to
play with the big dog, and the pretty
calves out yonder, but the man
wouldn't let me Mother said wasn't
to be troublesome, and II think !
trouble you. thought the gentleman
meant something nice when he said
was to be your guest. didn't know
Just what he meant. ="
':And you are my guest" said Miss
Winchester, so solemnly that the boy
looked startled. But she held out her
hand gently, and led him into the break
fast-room.
Every word of the PASTORS appeal,
aye, and the Saviour's command was
ringing in her ears How had she
given cup Of cold water to this little
stranger? Grudgingly, even out of her
abundance; unkindly, exposing the
sensitive spirit, trained by some gentle,
ladY-like mother, to coarse company
and rude ieers. The Master, whom she
professed to serve after the straightest
sect, had asked favor at her hands
for one of the least of His. She had
turned her back upon him at the first,
and then kept back "part of the price. "
another place, Lizzie, y she said to
the surprised waiting-maid. .'Little
Edgar will sit with me hereafter.
But while the boy, won from his
grief and loneliness, prattled merrily
through the meal, Miss Winchester alto
the bread of bitterness in self-searching
and condemnation.
Although the mistress of Evergreens
disliked sudden propositions pressed on
her by others, she was quick to act
upon motives of her own. A half-hour
after breakfast found her giving orders
to Lizzie as to the arrangement of one
of the many pretty bed-chambers of the
mansion. Shortly after she stood on
| the front portico, clad in a gray linen
ulster Little Edgar watched at the
gate for the carriage in which he was to
ride with miss Henrietta.
ITO the station, John, and drive rap
idly. We have not too much time.
:.She's going to take the little chap
back" thought John.
/
asked Miss Henrietta, smiling into the
sunny face opposite her.
s'No, ma am, but it's nice ride, y
said Edgar, contentedly.
81 am going to take you to show me
the way to your mother. And then we
will bring her back to Evergreens and
she shall be my guest, too.
''Oh, are you in earnest? Do you
really mean to have mother and me,
too?' exclaimed the boy, rising in his
excitement.
ssYes, you and your mother, too
81 do like you. Please" he said
timidly, ''may l kiss your
It was rather shy kiss given and re-
ceived, for Miss Henrietta was so I'M
used to children. But some bright
drops fell upon the curly head.
A pale but sweet-faced little woman
returned with them to Evergreens.
How mother and son gained health and
strength and color in the pure breezes
and sunshine, in the generous fare and
quiet pleasures provided by their host
ess! How Cloverville wondered and
specialized as to ''what had come over
Miss Winchester, when she ushered
Mrs. Clark and the bright-eyed boy in
to the pew so long held by herself in
solitary satisfaction! And Cloverville
wondered more when Miss Winchester
discovered that the lady.like 1nob.
trusive widow was the very person tc
assume the office of housekeeper al
Eyergreens!
| She told Mr.. Dale of his mistake lone
after that eventful summer when little
Edgar became her guest.
II can not thank you enough" sht
said, with deep emotion. 81 was one
of those offending many Of His little
ones, and Divine pity turned your very
natural mistake into means to save
me from the threatened and meritec
punishment. ~ Chicago Interior