Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-02-12

Ms Ai<ia sr<<-1nd 70 wonder ~ Llltr
Il reckon I'm eoin Shore" he saii
fsshly. II newer was half decent.
never kno~sd how: bat, jim with
Iitltal. pleading look. If you see Mrs.
Buck Topper. visit you'd ,ell her--
tAsf--f tried
fthp3 GIT tAef tie experience Of rhess
ml,nth< had eflectualiy hardene,i mssbnt
ths MAS too much. A<d ca - pretebss
Of ~iadng - rshev~ HAs49 kft ths
room
Ii was not until was alone with The
woman TIA, looked al her. Then was
trsnsfiaed with astonishment As tke
sat there. the lamphgkt falling on her
cold, rigid face. il needed DO second
glance 10 convince ne that she was tbs
original If Bucks picture.
This then Was the angel Of purity ~
whose shrine the poor fellow had been
wosshir;ng!
Ny drrt thought was he must never
know. And yet reflected how much IL
would mean 10 HIM 60 but see her face.
Going over 10 where shs at ] hurriediy
told her the whole story.
And you want me 70 90 10 himY' B~r
face was cold and unfeeling, but there
was singular sweetness In her voice.
.yes, oni, that be thinks you are
Il understand" with faint smile.
After explaining matters 10 O'Flaherty
l led her 10 tho bedside Of the dying man
and left them alone together.
When returned some minutes later.
she sat beside him, and he was holding
her hand.
A change that could not describe had
come over hsr countenance. There was
subdued light that only tears can give
10 womans face.
You'll make little prA'r for me. hc
was saying pleadlngly.
IL can'tr'
EYES, little one" very tendcrly. IL
low You do feel broke M, but never
Jest knowed how. an the angels'd hear
such as you"
The woman turned hunted look upon
the rest Of rs, and then slipping from
her chair dropped upon her knees:
NOW lay me down TO sleep;
l pray the Lord my soul 10 keep.
II should die before wake.
Ipray the Lord ny soul TO take"
At first the words seem TO choke her,
but there was something 50 solemn about
it all that do not think IL occurred TO
one of US that there was anything incon-
gruous in the repetition Of the childish
prayer at this moment.
Buck repeated the last words over after
her:
Il pray the Lord my soul to take.
Eyes, How no will" and he was
gone.
OF course we could not think now of
dealing with our prisoner, so, after a
hurried consultation, we put her on
Bucks pony. and Harper and rode out
70 the trail with her, and the last We saw
Of Mrs. Buck Upper she was vanishing
down tho gorge in the gray morning
mist.
The following summer l returned to
Boston, and as the years slipped away
my western experience became gradual
/ ~ an uncertain memory.
One evening late in December as
was walking up Duane street my atten-
ton was arrested by the sound Of music
that came from the Salvation Army bar
racks across the street
Ihave q friend in Jesus;
He's everything 70 me-:
| He's the fairest Of ten thousand 10 my soul
crossed over and stood for q moment
| in the crowd that surged about the door,
The singing had ceased, and n woman
was speaking. I could not see her face.
but her voice was q singularly musical
falsetto.
Though your sins be as scarlet-do
you hear that" she was saying. Scarlet
that means blood--an the Bible saws
no murderer cnn enter the kingdom But
he can wash the murder out of your
heart, bless his name, He says, I viii
make them white as snow"
Seized with sudden curiosity, /
mounted one of the benches TO get a
glimpse Of the speakers face. A pale
face, with clear. gray eyes and waving.
brown hair-wherc had seen il before
What was the vague memory that for a
moment seemed only TO tantalirc me? ]
had gone back through the years and
the same faco--only younger and fuller
was looking at me from the smoked
wall above the chimney piece.
Mrs. Buck Tuppcrl" Involuntarily
the words came 10 my bps. At this mo-
ment the woInan's eyes met my own. A
confused look oversprcad her face. and
she faltered in her speech Could il he
that she knew mef No. but she had
seen the look Of recognition In my face.
and recognition to q woman with such q
past must be always disturbing. ] re-
fccted. as stepped down and joined the
crowd outside.
WHO is she,~ l questioned Of strap
ping fellow with flaming badge upon
his breast.
That's Captain Mildred.- speaking
enthusiastically. Tho devil hates that
woman. ten you, Why. she'd 60
through anything 10 get . poor wretch
out If his clutches. Why. she's a.
But dsd not wait 10 hear tho rest.
Here. mus< |. wa TT sequel 10 poor
Bucks lore story. and IS walked ava,
the Song f'osted out again. clear and tn
usnphsnt:
Ard s~>~yfrz NJ - sloyy.
To 80 he eiss~~d face.
where rivers Of delight srr~~er rc'i.
Hes the ltly IL the valley
The bright and morning star.
Hes The fsir~Ef q ten theasant 10 mr.
scsi
--Nattie u. Boteler In Cincinnati Post.
Accommodating.