The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-01-17

from my window as you were stepping
about, and have noted your going to
meeting every time the bell rang,
and, somehow, feel better acquaint-
ed with you than 1 have before in all
these years. l want to ask you now
why you go to meeting so persistently
in all sorts of weather, even when you
must be very tired?"
Il love to CO." she said, land it rests
me, body and soul" She spoke now
with enthusiasm. "As believer it is
my business to go. 1t is one way in
which l can show my allegiance to my
Maker. 1t reminds me of and prepares
me for the life to come, and that is
the only thing in all our journeying
through this world of which we are
absolutely sure. We know nothing of
tomorrow or this evening, but we
know there is life beyond the grave
toward which we are all fastening"
Il am a believer" he said but | am
following afar off. l was thinking
this afternoon of that revival when
dear old Pastor Ives was here, and l.
went to sleep and dreamed it all over
! again and saw you as you were then,
young girl in a white gown and straw
GYPSY"
That was a long time ago." she
said; land yet it does not seem so very
long, for l never have passed one
| moment in darkness or doubt since
! that time, but have gone on, in faith,
doing always the duty that came
nearest. You repented and believed,
but never sought for faith to help you
to take the next step. So there you
have been and there you will remain
with no broader vision until you obey
the next step in His command. Oh,
wish you would go on now"
AS the golden light of the afternoon
sun hickered through the tender
leaves of the old elms and fell upon
her face the sick man thought it
shone like the face of an angel.
She had spoken with unwonted
earnestness, and as he watched her
crossing the lawn he saw that she was
wiping the tears from her still plump
cheeks with her pocket handkerchief.
What dainty little creature she
ISL he thought, "and what a brave
soul! Although in her girlhood she
was as shy as a wild wood bird. OF
course she is half frightened now at
her temerity and is wondering if her
words will be of any avail
He could see her again now; she was
within the little sewing room and had
knelt moment by the stand that
held the Bible before removing her
hat and gloves.
"She is praying for me!' said the in
valid, and the thought brought a hope
into his heart so strong that it created
anew the faith wrecked long years
agone.
The next time the little seamstress
passed he, we'll wrapped, was sitting
upon the porch and called to her, in
viting her to come and look at his
pansy beds and to gather a nosegay.
} As she stood by his side at last with
her hands full of the bright, fragrant
early blossoms, he said:
1--WE have been neighbors good
--l ;i-- r sondar &c that will -w9------'
my asking a very great favor of you
now?"
81 will do anything in my power, y
and she regarded him questlonlngly. &
"Will you let me go to meeting with
you every time the bell clangs forth its
summons from this time on while we
both shall live? l think l shall be
able to hobble to church by Sunday"
She looked surprised and puzzled.
Several times she essayed to speak,
and paused as if she feared the right
dc bo nCt haar frivar,
The man was not quizzing, she was
sure of that; he was too much of a
gentleman; and besides, there was a