Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-08-31
TIE HAND OF FATE.


 EounC girl, apparently not more than l6 years of age, slowly wended her way along q country road, situated about five miles from the little village of Oakdale. Her appearance betokened extreme pov- erty. She was dressed in an i'll fitting suit of rusty black, and her shabby black bonnet was drawn tightly over Q thin, pallid face, which was lighted up by a 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 l 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 a drunken stupor, her weary limbs began to fail, and at last nature refused to do it's work, and she sue cumbcd to the pitiless cold and sank ln 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 ke stumbled over the prostrate form. h an instant he was on his feet trying to arouse the mo- tionless object before him, while the dog l parked vociferously as if imploring aid. In few moments lantern was seen in the distance, and rough voice called ont. "Who's there?" "'Tis 1, your
 oA aG recognized the voice of his hired man, "and for Gods sake make haste, or 1t will be too latc." Fritz approached, to- cether they lifted the inanimate form and in few minutes arrived at the old farm house. It was long past the usual hour for supper, and Ruth Hawkins, being alarmed at her husbands protracted ab sence, was seated in her old fashioned rocker by the side of the open fireplace in the comfortable kitchen of the olC homestead knitting, while every TOW i and then she would cast furtive glance toward the window, and strain her ear to listen if she could catch the welcom 7 sound of her husbands footsteps.
 ! The logs burned merrily and cracke and spluttered on the irons, and threw
 cheery reflection in all directions abou the room. The table was still set, an
 with a bountiful supply of food. Tn
 delicious home made bread. the prir a golden of butter, the ruby quinces an P quivering custards and the pretty blu ,e and white china offered an invitir .ldi prospect to the two men as they passe ]. the window on their way to the sittir ,d room door.
 q, "Mercy's sake, father, what have yt
 there?" exclaimed Ruth, as she spraI
 from her seat, and, opening the doc
 saw the men with their unconscious bu o. den. DO not waste any time in askil Pi, questions, wife, but bring some bran' } %, as soon as possible" he replied. Wi t tn a careful hands they deposited their u m, hidden guest upon the settee and drew eff eff in front of the fire. Hastily divesti eft himself of his outer garments, the farm v,m nm endcavored to resuscitate the young gi )Id Meanwhile Ruth had returned to sG room with the brandy, and with kinC
 hands moistened the lips of the you
 girl, and succeeded in forcing a f
 drops down her throat, while the farr or. was busily engaged in rubbing and sl ,, 9, ping her hands. At first all their ann an1 telnpts to bring the girl back to consclc tile ness seemed fruitless, but at last ia dTr {, flush ovcrspread her features, she ope cal her eyes, and in pitiful tones begged ht Git she might remain during the night.
 farmer had scarcely noticed the girl,
 now he looked anxiously at her. '' ebo f0fhprs"
 Mrs. Hawkins "Of course, wife, TOT course; did you ever know me to way any one from my door? Saint or sin g. zen en rich or poor. they are welcome to s tocl but how goes the supper, wife? ] al e It It hungry us d wolf" "All ready, fatf ame was tho reply, and as she spoke
 placed the steaming coffee urn upon - table. "What shall call your al NY Mrs. Hawkins az she placed a sauce cuo custard upon chair by the side of niles settee. "Call me Lena," replied the ,ilif, Vile as she tried to partake of the food Flor was offered to her.
 owns The hospitable couple watched VEN. stranger curiously, trying to solve
 mystery that hung around her I
 white hands had never scrubbe'
 secured, and there was certain z
 about every movement which impr'
 one with the idea that she was Of s S birth, girl whom no ordinary so
 had made a homeless wanderer.
 clock struck and then 9. and still lOOr sat gazing at the girl as she lay qu
 WheT the clock struck 10, and it's
 chimes had died away, the girl tir
 inquired if she was keeping them
 their rest. Do not mind me" she
 Il can sleep here very comfortably
 It had been a query with Mrs. Ha'
 where to put the new comer ever
 sic fad asked to stay. The gaIre ,rC, first thought of, then the west room
 now, lighting fresh candle, Mrs.
 kins Ied lieT guest into the parlo , sf5iis 5is through it Into the best spare roon 'S1 turning down tie lavender scented
 and shaking the downy pillows ssrya,I ,7eyaa tented bedstead, she said in mo a ia,Hra NSTa tones: "Sleep here," and going ba sss5zy ass5sy the kitchen murmured dreamily: ssgsSs in so doing you may entertain szA,S1 .unawares."
 About midnight the storm, whic
 i.een gathering all it's forces durl vop evening, burst violently forth. l ,tg had farm house fairly rocked with tn . lagds gusts of wind, while the snow t' D D. afai, and furious. It was no wonder U W. J. poor girl hid her head beneath rh