Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-07-21
THE HAND OF FATE.

On cold. clustering night in March a
young girl, apparently not more than lG
years of age, slowly wendell her way
along a country road, situated about five
miles from the little village of Oakdale
Her appearance betokened extreme pow
erty She was dressed in an ill fitting
suit of rusty black, and her shabby black
bonnet was drawn tightly over a 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 10y 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 a 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 lie stumbled over
the PROSTATE form. In an instant he
was on his feet trying to arouse the mo.
tionless object before him, while the dog
barked vociferously as if imploring aid
In few moments lantern was seen in
the distance, and a rough voice called
out who's there?" "'Tis |, 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 Il few minutes arrived at the old farm
house. 1t was long past the usual hour
for supper, and Ruth Hawkins, being
alarmed at her husbands protractcd alb
sence, was seated in her old fashioned
rocker by the side of tile open fireplace
in the comfortable kitchen of the old
homestead knitting, while every now
and then she would cast furtive chances
toward the window, and strain her ears
to listen if she could catch the welcome
sound of her husbands footsteps
The logs burned mcrrily and cracked
and spIuttered on the irons, and threw
CHEEKY reflection in all directions about
the room The table was still set, and
with bountful supply of food The
delicious home made bread the print
golden of butter, the ruby ounces aud
quiverng 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
"Mercys sake, father, what have you
there exclaimed Ruth, az she sprang
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 With
careful hands they deposited their I'm.
hidden guest upon the settee and drew ii
in front of the fire Hastily divestng
himself of his outer garments, the farmer
endeavored To resuscitate the young girl
Meanwhile Ruth had returned to the
room with the brandy, and with kindly
hands moistened the lips of the young
girl, and succeeded in forcing Il few
drops down her throat, while the farmer
was busily engaged in rubbing and slap.
ping her hands. At first all their at
tenpts to bring the girl back to conscious
ness seemed fruitless, but at last "a faint
flush ovcrspread her features, she opened
her eyes and in pitiful tones begged that
she might remain during the night The
a., \ / 81,
now he looked auxiuusly at her 1--WE
shall keep her shan't we, father asked
Mrs Hawkins "Of course, wife. OF
course, did you ever know me to turn
any one from my door, Saint or sinner
rich or poor, they are welcome to stay
but how goes the supper. wife? am as
hungry as Il wolf. IAN ready, father,
was the reply, and as she spoke she
placed the steaming coffee urn upon the
table. what shall call you3 asked
Mrs Hawkins as she placed saucer of
custard upon chair by the side of the
settee. "Call me Lena, replied the girl
as she tried to partake OF the food that
was offered To her
The hospitable couple watched the
stranger curiotsly trying to solve the
mystery that hung around her Those
white hands had never scrubbed or
secured and there was certain grace
about every movement which impressed
one with the idea that she was of gentle
birth, a girl whom no ordinary sorrow
had made homeless wandcrer The
clock struck $ and then o and still they