Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-10-12
let me see her face agaln7"

let me see her lace agalnV
There was pathos in the tremb-
ling tones which prevented the
boys from disturbing Jim with
further q nestions.
A few days later the two friends
vi,ited the hermits abode. He
was not there, but the door was
open and they walked in. 1t did
not take long to satisfy their curl
Osity. The hut, hoyel, it can be
called, hal no floor, and on the
ground were scattered the wretch.
ed belongings, consisting of a small
rusty stove in one corner, few
cooking utensils, an ak, piles OF
wood, dlapidated wearing ap.
parel, and miscellaneous articles OF
small value. Slung from two big
hooks was the hammock in which
the hermit slept. Tne dirt AMI flte
disgusted the boys, and they were
about to leave when Thomas saw
on The only shelf in the one apart
ment a small B'ble which had
evidently been placed there with
care. He opened the book and
read on an imprinted page next to
the title page these words "James
a. Symlngton. From his friend
Mabel e. ConrOy." Thomas turned
pale and started at The words. read
ing them several times as If he
were sprll.bOund. He put the
book back on the shelf and cOn.
uOlllDg with difficulty the intense
excitement under which BE- labOred,
joined his companion. Tue two
walked into the open air, and soon
we're beyond the borders of the
forest.
Th Imls went to the home of bis
grand other, Mrs. Harrington,
which was large and handsome
house about three miles distant
from the abode of Crazy jim. Mis-.
Harrington was a widow, aged
sixty. five years. She bad not liv
ed happily with her husband, and
af er his death han retired to the
couutry residence jus5 mentioned,
there to spend, far from the city
friends with whom she had been
long intimate, the remainder of
disappointed life. She possessed
striking cOuntenancP, bOrdered
with snow.white hair, and in her
youth must have been very hand
some. 3 1t her severe trials, aided
by the inroads of age, had caused
her face TO assume a stern and
wunk!ed aspec'. TIE bdbituAI ex
preston in her eyes was serious
and melancholy. AS might he ex-
pec;ed, her temper had not been
improved by her unpleasantrxpe;i
euces, and for the most part sue
was not particularly agreeable
companion. Nevertheless, she
was woman district integrity and
of honorable purpose, and cap pIble
of strong attachments, 30 that bad
ber lot in life been happy she
would have enjoyed a serene and
beautiful old age. AS it was the
arrival of Themas Berkins, her
fayorlte grandson, had cheered her
somewhat, and she was glad to
have him spend the summer days
with her until it was necessary for
him to return to school in the city
where his parents lived.
Thomas had plenty Of leisure
time for rambling about the cOun.
try, aud visited the hut OF the her
nit frequently. at first the old
man WAS shy and distant, but the
tricndl, manner of the boy finally
won bis confidence, and the rels-
tlous between the two became very
cordial Jim was sometime quite
rational, and told interesting
stories concerning his travels IN
his younger days, but he Was Often
/ laney and melancholy, and when
Thomas fonDd him IN that condition
he did not remain with him Ong.
' One day jim called at the home
t of Mrs. Harringt n To ascertai n
r whether Thomas was there. IL
+ was the first time be hal ever ap'
preached the residence, it hayinf
, been bis custom for many years on
t ly to stop at such houses as were
], occupied 10y the few old acquain
: tauces who gave him food.
1t happened that the seryan'
girl was out and Mrs. Harrington
herself came to the door.
IsTomas Berkinsln the housei'
asked the old man.
ono" answered Mrs. Harring
ton sharply, while she regarded th'
caller with suspicious eye,
p What do you want of hint"
y "I inst wanted TO see him q few