The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-06-25

when Satan enters mans heart, it is
through sin of course" he said.
"What kind of sin ?" asked Mr.. Garnet in
thick tipsy voice.
MANY. Murder, theft, lying and drunken
ness amongst others" said Robin
Look here, young man" said Mr.. Garnet,
trying to rise, 1--WE got plenty of cider
aboard, know Now if Satan is in me drive
him out. | want to see him. Come now
go at it. Pm good Methbyterian."
VI think | had better take my leave. Miss
Garnet" said Robin.
But before the words were out of his
lips the door OF the store-c closet opened softly.
The lamp was suddenly blown out, II smell
of birthstone filled the room, and an awful
figure stood before them. Silas had possessed
himself of a box of matches, dampened the
ends, and rubbed them over his face and
hands, and with two more punches blazing in
his hands stood before Mortified Mr.. Garnet,
bis head tied up in silk handkerchief and a
tablecoth drapng his shoulders
You want to see me, here am" he said
in hollow tones. "You reprobate, look at
me-"
"Margorie shrieked. Robin stood bewi-
dered ; old Mr.. Garnet sank on his knees.
"Oh, dominic, keep him away" he cried
ooh, what am | to do?"
Soften y our hard heart" said Silas. Don't
drink so much cider, and let your daughter
marry the man of her choice, or Pll come
and fetch you next Christmas" and flourish
ing the flaming matches, he dashed out of the
open door.
get up, Mr.. Garnet" said Robin. Get
up, sir; sit in the chair. Miss Garnet, will
you light the lamp? Be calm, be calm ~ and
he held the old mans hand in his.
Dominic" gasped Mr.. Garnet, you won't
raise him again There, don't speak listen ::
Why do you suppose he came?"
Robin was very wrong he confessed this
afterwards, but he was very young also, and
in love himself with girl in Boston, and
Sllas was his friend and instead of making
explanation of the facts he merely answered :
81 think he tod you himself why he
came"
81 know it isn't right to drink too much
I'll swear off" said Mr.. Garnet. But about
letting Margorie have Silas Weld, why his
grandfather and my father, they went to law
about the three acre meadow, and my mother
used to say she'd no opinion at all OF Mrs.
Weld, his ma"
"They are all dead, believe" said Robin ;
all gone to their account"
"Yes," said Mr.. Garnet "Yes-that's
true year-the old boy adhe'd fetch me
in year, il didn't let Silas have Margorie
Dominic, what's your opinion of Silas?"
He will be good to your daughter" said
Robin. I'LL"
Oh how wrong he was again. He repent
ed it afterwards in sackcloth and ashes but
he finished the sentence with: "lf were
you Mr. Garnet, after what you have seen l
would not tempt Satan"
A week from that day, Mr.. Garnet surpris-
ed the temperance lodge by taking the pledge
and shortly after Margorie and Silas were
married.
1t surely was not his fault but the young
minister's fame were greatly increased by a
report that he had driven Satan out of old
Mr. Garnet, and the temporary sojourn which
a Methodist minister makes in any place was
a pleasant one for Luckdam and for himself
Over and over again he had told himself
that he had been accessory to very disgrace
full sort ola trick, utterly unworthy his digni
ty; but Sias and Margorie were happy, and
old Mr.. Garnet was a temperance man, and
Robin never made q confession.