The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-12-18
SOMERSET, PA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1a 1se5

aloud before, but have been deeply
impressed with IL from childhood and
weak and sinful and undeserving as l
am, believe it TO be true,-true. How
could it be otherwise? Other people
have had terrible trials and troubles"
"And so have you p burst forth the
girl impetuously.
Miss Yarwood turned meditative eyes
upon her. "Oh, yes, of course there
have been clouds and rainy days, but
God has kept his sun shining steadily
for me behind them. Always, l have
been specially protected and guarded
and shielded from harm. Tonight,
for very thankfulness, l can't be dumb.
Let me tell you, Nora, had a sweet
heart once"
Nora sat alert.
81 was very young. l hardly knew
him, for he was stranger i'm our town,
but loved him desperately-I think /
really did. We were engaged to be
married. My clothes were made
what pleasure L took i'm them and
the day set But just week before it,
an officer came and-arrested James.
Nora, that handsome young sweet
heart of mine was as cold blooded a viii
lain as ever lived He had robbed his
own father, gambled away his mon
cyl can't tell you all the story of his
sins What want you to see is that
the Lord himself was watching me to
keep me from becoming the miserable
wife of that wicked man."
Nora sat, speechless skeptic, as the
sweet voice went on: "Of course it
hurt for long time. But after awhile
l was helped past il till all the pain
was gone, and in strange, sweet way,
it seemed to me that bitter experience
helped me to appreciate the really
grand, good man / later learned to
love"
"And he ?" Miss Nora leaned for
ward as she asked the question and
held her breath.
ale taught me how truly fine and
pure mans life may be, how all en-
nobling his love. / honored him so en-
tirely that when he afterward found he
had been mistaken in his love for me,
l could only admire the consideration,
the real nobility of character, that
prompted him to frankly to tell me So"
The girl by the fireside gave little
gulp and looked away but if the faint
est shadow crossed the fair face of the
elder woman there lurked no trace of
bitterness within it.
81 love children, Nora,-yOu know
that. And | used to dream day-drea ms
of babies lisping about my own knees,
babies with Roberts fine, white brow,
and Roberts clustering curls. But
even this lack in my life is compensat-
ed to me. There isn't a child in this
whole neighborhood that doesn't love
to come to Auntie Alice's. On all
sides, you see, find love and tender
ness. And then this beautiful gift OF
mine What il, like many poor soul,
/ had to eke out miserable existence
with a poorly paid needle or doing
work too heavy for my strength ~
''Oh, yoa'd do it, and shout praises
over your machine or your wash-tub."
Miss Yarwood laughed little joyous
laugh. "What a tease you are, Nora.
One would almost think you didn't be-
lieve in my talent or my-my secret"
"I'll tell you what believe" said
Nora, seriously. 81 believe you have
the sunniest disposition woman was
ever blessed with ~
"Yes, have that, too ~ beamed Miss
Yarwood, with the naivete of
child. "There isn't anything kindly
Providence hasn't given me-"
Nora looked at the rebound best
dress, at the thin little figure, the tired
but smiling eyes, and forebore to speak.
al wonder what she'd do with half
the blessings most women have?n she
thought.