The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-07-26
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT.
A Novel: By DR.. j. A. Houser.

earth, were In almost darkness. Inc Diue-
flowers got sleepy. The birds slowly. and
in measured notes, twitted themselves 10
sleep. Away from the narrow roa ot,r alIs
guarding the approach of night The
cunning fox across the way glanced
tangled vines The great owl swept past,
and his wings almost Tanned sparkle
cheek. His call from the dead ana leai1 LESS
tree seemed almost like warning Inc
low. musical tinkling of the bell from the
distant fold, seemed to say that some
up to the falling dew, and the FREELY gave
forth his. little CLEAN to signal the stors.
Glow worms coiled in the grass beside the
more visible. The lowing of the herd
from the far distant hills. came softened
and chastened by the night air IKE a
moan of grief or a wall of pity, and all
was still. Alone in the woods at night,
and what night. Above all the sparkling
gems of the measureless deep of infintty
had marshalled upon the walls of heaven
to hold their everlasting torches to- light
man from the darkness in the woods of
Oh. Night! Thou mother of crime Thy
darkness covers the darkest deeds.
A rustic in the leaves startled Sparkle
she leaned toward her companion. 1t was
but some animal Of prey going forth, as
he did nightly, for his victim. She, seek
danger. How timid the girl seemed now.
in the light she was brave; in the night
she covers. Fear comes with ten thou
f Brando rOr he sugseted the rejection Of
his arm. and in low voice said:
Don't be afraid, Sparkle
He pressed her closely. The confidence
asleep. Scarcely shrinking from his en-
circling arm, really leaning closer, as II
to get as far as possible from the black
woods whose leaves she could almost
T TST n ReypE Upon b she ne ens
there TO hear, she would speak in the low
est whisper, and he would answer in the
same way. Her beautiful and bright face
was now Swallowed, but still beautiful
With the shadows came a sensual express
son that a face never has in sunlight. Her
when they were while talking along the
way before shutdown A kiss then would
have been but the chastened touch of the
that again called forth that flame which
burns only TO consume, never to refine,
and its residue is the ashes of misspent
with delirium that soon sweeps into the
whirlpool of frenzy that carries all down.
Upon the first kiss Sparkle Brooke shud-
dered, but human nature is impossible.
Even where the white banner of
I purity waves the scarlet badge Is
not uncommon. Though beautiful, though
pure, she but human In better light
I her face would have been seen as crimson
with emotion she trembled from head to
foot. and once more was amidst the awful
conflict of human temptation. Once more
her spirit whispered, shall he be saved, or
Z L be lOStE Again, clear as the night be-
fore, she heard the voice, "A life of good
cannot undo one wrong" Leaping as If by
magic from the arms of Carl Brandon,
and from the buggy into the road. with a
low scream. The motion and noise so
frightened the spirited horse that he made
one bound and disappeared in the dark
ness. She could hear the sound Of his
! feet as they struck the hard path. On and
] on the steed flew. AS she stood listening,
she could hear the horse still going with
great speed. Frightened at Carts danger,
for withal, the thought of his danger was
most terrible to her, she loved him with all
mis- faults. She called, but her weak voice
was not heard. She knew the road well.
While II was a gloomy one, il was the
road leading homeward and they would
have soon been there had they proceeded.
4 Just TO the right was a precipice, and the
least turn would carry horse buggy and
man over steep embankment. Poor girl
hurry on, and this she did as best she
could, TO learn his fate. She advanced but
a few steps when she heard crash, then
all was still. Breathless overcome with
fright. she hurried and called. but no an
swer came back. Passing further where
the foliage was less dense, the goddess OF
night beamed out in all that exquisite love
illness of full moon in summer time A
Hood OF silver interlacing among the trees
The road was plain and level. but she could
I see nothing. She knew instinctively that
some serious accident had happened. She
thought he was killed and her rashness
{ the cause or H. Her grief was too much
overcome, she paused a moment, held heI
hand over her beating heart-a heart OF
anguish. Alas poor. frail humanity hap
ment helpless and wretched.
Qulckenlng her steps she came to the
turn that left the woods beyond. Here was
I the embankment. She feared that in his
great speed. the horse had not kent
the road but had gone straight on and
over the precipice. In the moonlight the
road was clear. Nature serene regard
less of mans woes. BY that sense thai
women have far beyond the Judgment OF
men, she seemed to anticipate the worst
and, as common with her sex in little af
, fairs they are weak and give way Il
weeping, but in awful affairs they are in
Gertrude Vanderwart fingered all nigh
I upon the battle field to soothe her hus
band, and Gained his last moments bN
! the serenity and benignity OF her love
When the faggots burned about Joan OF
arc her brave spirit returned and tn.
Maid of Orleans passed out of the gloon
{ Drawer than ever man waved the banner
on the battlefield. That fascinating ham,
/ OF fire, Cleopatra, bravely barred her fail
/ bosom TO the asp and went to sleep
| Now with a woman's better heart
| Sparkle Brooke was brave and calm ann
approached the steep embankment &
look down where the moonbeams LIGHTED
all the awful scene. Hail way IN m,
bank, caught upon a rock was tn,
wrecked, broken buggy; lying far below
was the motionless body of the horse an,
| beside him was the still. upturned face q
the driver. A gasp. the girls strength
| weakened, she reeled and fell ali wa
IT is day. She is child. A voice comes
the frightened animal sweeps on and sh
IS IN the presence of wreck The stron,
woman comes back, and she is now read
for duty: There is grief beyond tears
there Is danger beyond fright.