The record-union., 1893-03-03

she brought the Bible and laid it on the
table. Then with closed eyes and bowed
head she whispered:
80 Lord-show me the ripht-for thv
names sake-amen.n
She opened the book, placed her finger
oiindIy on the page, and after moment
OF silent waiting, read aloud the words
that were to be her oracle:
And a little child shall lead them.n
Twice she read it over.
DON'T see what that means, seems IS
Ell II didn't help much" she thought. dis
appointed, and just then her puzzled gaze
lell upon the painted valentine lying for
gotten on the table.
"A little child shall lead them" The
meaning was plain to her in an instant.
on, it's beautiful! It's beautifulp'
crieo MISS Pamela, smiling with misty
eyes at the blue-robed cherub. "I'll send
IL Dack to him tonight after meetin', an
he'll git it to-morrer, same as | did thirty
years ago. Oh dear me SUI, 1 hope he'll
understand that amt jest bein' forward
his'n."
She searched until she found an envel-
ope to contain the old love token which
was TO pass once more between these two.
When 1t was sealed and directed, she laid
1t away with her best bonnet and shawl,
ready Tor the evening, and looked out at
the darkenlng landscape. Her face fell.
LIKES not he won't stir out eff it's
goln' to be bad night must look to
Inc west. his cough troubled him pretty
consider bic in sermon time this mornin'.
There's some draught by the window
where he sets. My pew's as warm as
toast"
ADashed at her own thought, Miss
famela hurried to the west door and
threw it open. The rain had ceased,
though drops still hung glittering from
every twlg. Far away toward the sunset
Snone level band of gold. All about
her the eager swallows darted, now close
to the ground, now high in air.
for 10, the winter is past, the rain is
over and gone; the flowers appear on the
earth; the time of the singing OF birds is
come" quoted Miss Pamela. uncon-
sclously. All her doubts and fears rolled
away and her heart was filled with the
golden promise of the west and the music
Evening meeting was over. The wo-
men adjusted their wraps as they gravely
followed the men down the narrow aisles.
Alter she had seen Abner Whitney in his
accustomed place. Miss Pamela had sat
one moment wishing the sermon over.
the next that it might never end, but no
idea OF giving up her project entered her
MIND. 1t was right to do, therefore it
must be done; and when the old man
passed her pew he found her waiting for
him with outstretched hand.
Good evenin', Abner," she said. 1t
seemed to her that he must hear her
heart beat. Her voice was dry and
husky yet she spoke out bravely. "Howdy
DO! en- get you to light my lantern?
hain't got no match.'
Abner Whitney was too surprised to
answer her. He took her hand a mo-
ment, an walked down the aisle at her
side.
"Yo GU won't need no lantern. Pamely.n
he said when they came out on the
porch; the stars is bright as buttons
after the rain. 'Twa'n't a long storm,
but twas considerable fierce while it
lasted" He glanced at her shyIy. "rl
walk with you's fur's tn corner. Pm
goin' up to Bradford's an borrysh Sum
day paper. He's good neighbor, Brad
ford is.''
$50 he is, certain ,"assented Miss Pamela
trying to collect her thoughts. Just as they
had walked together thirty years ago.
She wondered if he remembered it too.
She drew the valentine from under her
shawl. and as they neared the Postoffice
she said slowly and distinctly, like one
repeating lesson:
u wisht - you'd wait - fur me-a
minnit. l want t. malta letter."
The man looked at her curiously. It
seemed to MIN that he was living over
some dimly remembered experience. He
took the envelope out of her unresisting
hand. Jpn do it fur ye, II We like"
he said, and going up to the box
ne dropped 1t in. She thanked him
breathlessly, and thence in silence they
walked to the cross-road, clasped hands
once more, and parted.
80 Lord! 0 Lordv' gasped Miss Pa
mela, hurrying into the house, 1--WE
done it now for certain sure! AM 1 don't
believe he cares grain!'
For the first time in her life she Law
with understanding eyes while the long
night wore away and brought another ST.
Valentines Day.
tits beautiful day, but L guess L
won't begin my washin' this mornin',n
thought the mistress of the white House
Farm" over her early cup of coffee.
"Ther' a'in't no hefty reason why 1 |
should, or why shouldn't, for the matter
of that; but didn't sleep well las' night. |
Them sausages yes'day didn't set well, I |
guess"
That she had lain awake thinking of |
Abner Whitney was a thing not to be |
even to herself, in the |
cold light of day.
A long-drawn below from the barn in
terrupted her. For the lands sake. amt |
that Joe Nash fed them COWS yit? He |
gifts later N later every mornin'. Poor |
critters, Pill tend to 'em myself this |
minnit. Good fur nothin' little scampr, |
So the old shawl came down from its |
nail again, and Miss Pamela went out to |
give her hungry servants their breakfa |
While they ate she stood meditatively |
looking about her. How warm the air |
was for February, and how good the hay |
smelt. Suddenly she heard footstep at |
The door.
Here, Joe," she called, 1--WE done |
some O. your chores already, but amt
you kinder 'shamed ter be SO law?
Why, Abner-Abner Whitney, how you
scairt me! II thought twas Joe Nash |
he's dretful troublesome lately-I-'
Abner Whitney came close to her and |
aid his hand upon her arm.
Never mind the boy, Pamely,u he
said. Look at this" He held out the |
faded valentine.
1t was very still in the barn. Miss Pa
mela's cat slid down from the haymow
where she slept, and rubbed against |
them, arching her back and purring.
Presently the man spoke again. II was
passin' TIL office early this mornin', an
Bates he stopped me, an Civ me letter. |
'Mebbe it's valentine, Abner, he says,
an he laughed, an so did L. You know |
what it was, Pamely, for you sent it to |
me. Say tit amt a joke is it? wouldn't |
wanter think you'd try ter make fool
o. me. Pve ben turrible proud am hard
Pamely. L thought l was adoin' right by
you, but I've ben lonesum fur ye, dret-
full lonesome. Eff you didn't mean it, L |
dunno but I'd ruther drop right down |
ded where be-" His voice choked.
Miss Pamela put her hands before her |
face and sobbed. 1T amt joke, Abner;
don't ye know me better'n that. I've ben |
lonesome too, an I've waited so long, am |
you never said a. word, an thought !
nebbe eff sent back my valentine you'd |
that L meant everything, |
Abner!''
In and out at the barn door the hens |
walked with leisurely steps, enjoying the |