Smyrna times., 1889-07-10
THE HAND OF FATE.

THE HAND OF FATE.
On cold, clustering night in March
young girl, apparently not more than 16
years of age, slowly wended her way
along a country road, situated about five
miles from tho little village of Oa1dale.
Her appearance betokened extreme pow
erty. She was dressed in an i'll fitting
suit of rusty black, and her shabby black
bonnet was drawn tightly over a thin,
pallid face, which was lighted up by
pair of piercing black eyes that seemed
to penetrate the darkness with almost
supernatural brilliancy. Her long black
hair had become unfastened by the fierce
ness of the storm and hung in frozen
strands almost to her waist Everything
around her seemed to be touched with
the winters frost, and the snow lay piled
in huge masses as far as the eye could
reach. As she pursued her journey her
heart sank within her, her head reeled
as if in q drunken stupor, her weary
limbs began to fail, and at last nature
refused to do its work, and she sue
cumbed to the pitiless cold and sank in
an exhausted and unconscious condition
to the ground.
Down the road with rapid strides came
farmer Hawkins and his dog Nero, and
as he hurried along he stumbled over
the PROSTATE form. In an instant he
was on his feet trying to arouse the mo-
81, Icf IL,
barked vociferously as if imploring aid.
In a few moments q lantern was seen in
the distance, and a rough voice called
out, "Who's there?" "'Tis I, your
MASTER" responded the farmer, as he
recognized the voice Of his hired man,
"and for Gods sake make haste, or it
will be too late" Fritz approached, to-
gether they lifted the inanimate form and
in a few minutes arrived at the old farm
house. 1t was long past tho usual hour
for supper, and Ruth Hawkins, being
alarmed at her husbands protracted alb
sence, was seated in her old fashioned
rocker by the side of the open fireplace
in the comfortable kitchen of the old
homestead knitting, while every now
and then she would cast furtive glances
! toward the window, and strain her ears
to listen if she could catch the WELCOME
sound of her husbands s footsteps.
The logs burned merrily and crao led
and spluttered on the irons, and threw q
CHEEKY reflection in all directions about
the room. The table was still set, and
with a bountiful supply of food. The
delicious home made bread, the print
golden of butter, the ruby ounces and
quivering custards and the pretty blue
and white china offered an inviting
prospect to the two men as they passed
the window on their way to the sitting
room door.
''MIercy's sake, father, what have you
there?" exclaimed Ruth, as she sprane
from her seat, and, opening the door
saw the men with their unconscious bur
den. ''Do not waste any time in asking
questions, wife, but bring some brandy
as soon as possible" he replied. Will
careful hands they deposited their un
hidden guest upon the settee and drew i
in front of the fire. Hastily divestinl
himself of his outer garments, the farmel
endeavored to resuscitate the young girl
Meanwhile Ruth had returned to tn,
room with the brandy, and with kindly
hands moistened the lips of the younl
girl, and succeeded in forcing a few
drops down her throat, while the farme
was busily engaged in rubbing and slap
ping her hands. At first all their at
tempts to bring the girl back to conscious
ness seemed fruitless, but at last fain
flush overspread her features, she opene,
her eyes, and in pjtiful tones begged tina
she might remain during the night. TIL
farmer had scarcely noticed the girl, bu
now he looked anxiously at her. ''W
shall keep her, shan't we, father" aske,
Mrs. Hawkins. "Of course, wife, o
course; did you ever know me to turl
any one from my door2 Saint or sinner
rich or poor, they are welcome to stay
but how goes the supper, wife? 1 am a
hungry as a wolf" Gan ready, father,
: was the reply, and as she spoke sh
, placed the steaming coffee urn upon th
table. "What shall call your" aske
Mrs. Hawkins as she placed a saucer {
q custard upon a chair by the side Of th
! settee. "Call me Lena" replied the gir
as she tried to partake of the food tha
was offered to her.
. The hospitable couple watched th
n stranger curiously, trying to solve th
mystery that hung around her. Thos
white hands had never scrubbed {
II secured, and there was a certain grac
4 about every movement which impresse
one with the idea that she vas of gent
birth, girl whom no ordinary sorro7
:, had made homeless wanderer. Th
clock struck s and then 0, and still the
sat gazing at the girl as she lay quietl,
When the clock struck 10, and its la
v chimes had died away, the girl timidl
] inquired if she was keeping them frol
their rest. "Do not mind me-" she sal,
IL can sleep here very comfortably"
st It had been aquery with Mrs. Hawkil
l. where to put the new conner ever stint
she had asked to stay. The garret WI
first thought Of, then the west room; bI
= now, lighting fresh candle, Mrs. HaV
Il kins led her guest into the parlor al
through it into the best spare room-.ar
turning down the lavender scented shee
n and shaking the downy pillows of Il
OF tented bedstead, she said in mother
tones; "Sleep here" and going back
the kitchen murmured dreamily; "F'
n in so doing you may entertain angC
pr unawares."
About midnight the storm, which III
been gathering all its forces during Il
40 evening, burst violently forth. The o
farm house fairly rocked with the wi
gusts of wind, while the snow fell ia
and furious II was no wonder that q
N. poor girl hid her head beneath the bla
ug kets and thanked God for the shelter s.
ss had found; and when, after hours hi
W passed, the storm gradually abated, S
,ci osi foil into a refreshing slumber. The ne
rs. morning she was awakened by a tappi
no no ut the door, and the voice Of Mrs Ha
tie kins innlirinr if sha MIGHT Gonna in