Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-21
CHAPTER vi.


The morrow brought the perfection of win
ter day, clear, crisp, sparkling. The Feather
snow" still dulled the glare, and though the
roads were well broken, the track was like vel
vet under the horses hoofs. The school bell
was just ringing for the 9 O'Clock assembly when
drove up to the gate and found Miss Sadie
waiting for me. wondered if she had been as
impatient as 1. In truth sleep had hardly WIS.,
tied my eyelids during the night, or il it did
the visions it brought were SO full of glad an
tcipation that fcould not distinguish between
them and my waking thoughts.
What pen shall describe a lovers first ride
with his sweetheart. especially on such day!
Never shall mine attempt it, Yet it lives in
memory still. l have only to close my eyes to
see the mellow light that bathed the world hear
the soft yielding snow creak beneath the run
ners, feel the warm presence by my side, to live
over again, in Short the rapture of that ecstatic
hour.
We did not go through Hardinsville. as did
not wish Mr.. Harmon to see us until our return
So our way took us through long. deep CANYON.
lined on either side with evergreens bowed
down and decorated i'm all fantastic ways with
clinging puffs Of snow. Never this side Of the
pearly gates shall my eyes again behold any,
thing SO beautiful as that snow gorge! As the
horses waded along the unbroken track. tossing
aside the feathery particles, every instant
brought to light some new beauty. Even the
little stream that ran bright and steaming
along its rocky bed at the bottom of the glen
was thing of rare loveliness. Every rock
each bit of anchor ice and every bush along its
bank was hidden with cushions of clinging
snow. Some of the forms were Of singular
beauty, while others were of quaint and laugh
able grOtesqueness. How sweet il was to note
the curious resemblances We found and call
them to each others attention! And when we
were climbing the opposite bank. how pleasant
to hear our voices so softly echoed up and down
the chasm. while the snow upon the overhang-
ing branches, loosened by our laughter, came
rafting down shower of silver spray upon our
heads.
1t was just noon when We arrived at our desti-
nation, the ''Old Gedney Place" The spacious
front yard was all upgrown with neglected ever
green's upon which the snow Law in soft light
masses undisturbed. The path to the front
door was guarded by the interlocked arms of
two great balsams on either side. No one had
passed along it in a dozen years. l drove
through the side gate to door. which was evil
IDENTITY the one most in use. A pretty shepherd
dog sitting on the Threshold eyed us wonder
lngly. retreated u few steps and then came
crOuching to my side for recognition. word
and caress made him my friend. l tied the
steaming horses to a convenient post. threw the
blanket over them and, az the path was not a
good one between the sleigh and the door,
lifted my companion out and carried her pro-
testinGly to the doorstep where carefully sat
her down. taking pay for my gallantry before
knocked for admission There was no response.
knocked again. All was still. l stepped back
and examined the house with care. The shut
tiers on two of the windows were open, the 9TH
ers closed. A light curl Of smoke rose lazily
from the chimney.
once more raped, louder than before.
perhaps he will not admit us?" my COM
panion suggested.
"Pshaw!' 1 answered scornfully. "How will
he keep us out?''
The bravest man on earth is the young lover
in the presence of his mistress who speaks of
imaginary danger. Nevertheless, my heart
stood still, when after moments waiting the
door before us swung open and We looked into
an empty room. At the same time the dog at
our feet set up prolonged and mournful howl.
As soon as We could get the snOwlight out
OF our eyes and realize that the room was really
without an occupant we saw door at the other
side. toward which I went walking softly, for
no reason that could give. and Sadie following
me, think, because she did not wish to remain
alone. knocked. and we waited with beating
hearts. There was no reply. raped again,
more emphatically. The dog howled once more
while We waited for a response. / glanced at
the outer door. The sun was shining brightly
without.
"Pshssx!' said impatiently. whats the
sense of this! The man is either a boor or not
at home"
lifted the old-fashioned latch and entered
room, warm, bright, cheerful. common
opposite the door. window full of Towering
plants let in the southern sunlight. A big old
fashioned clock pointed both hands to II and
with Its solemn tick seemed to warn us not to
break the silence. We had closed the door be-
fore we saw that there was any one within.
I M Twin
tie with high back, which at first had screened
him from our sight. A table stood beside the
stove with dishes yet upon it. He had probably
eaten. laid down and fallen in doze.
Il beg your pardon. Mr.. Pike l said, ad-
vancing toward the couch. He did not speak
or stir. His small white hands were folded on
his breast and fancied could see them rise
and fall with his breathing.
Mr.. Pike 1 repeated.
Still he did not move. I put my hand on his
forehead. 1t was cold.
I'VE have come too late" said to my COM
panion. HE is dead"
She came to my side and looked down upon
the peaceful face. After moment she fell
upon her knees kissed the cold brow and muir
mured through her tears:
poor Joel Pike.
Mr.. Harmon uttered the same exclamation
when an hour afterward / informed him of his
clients death. Every one reiterated it when
it was learned that he had left his estate to
''Sadie Lois Gedney. usually known as Sadie
Lois Harrington" When finally it was re-
vealed that the marriage of Susan Gedney had
been void because of the previous marriage of
Harrington. that her father sold his farm to
prevent the exposure, and that this was the
reason Joel Pike had bought it. people ex-
claimed with regretful emphasis, Poor Joel
Pike" And when it was known that Susan
Gedney. learning of these things on her death
bed, had named Joel Pike as her daughters
guardian. that because that young lady had re-
jected all friendly overtures he had planned the
whipping to induce her to accept his bounty
without revealing her fathers guilt a note of
mingled with their reference to the
man who had been so long condemned, and
people sighed in wonder of his consistency as
they exclaimed, Poor Joel Pike!' Sadie fool
ishly thinks he was a hero, but every one knows
that there are no heroes in these realistic
days. it, indeed. there ever were any. So he
could not have been hero. or perhaps even a
lover but just foolish litigious accident whom
we can only call Poor Joel Pike"
The Last of the Chartisfa.