Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-12-19


in there. What should l do there?"
And she walked quickly away, keeping
close to the houses.
Mrs. Ventnor was thoroughly en- rap
port with her surroundings now. This
was Zola outside the yellow covers of q
novel. She looked after the woman, and
plying chuckle left her lips.
Poor devil! Did You ever see such
face? Upon my word, if it were not for
the smells, this adventure would be
more risque and entertaining than q
French ball from behind mask. Eh,
Marian?"
"It's horrible" said Marian clearly,
and Hugh, who knew all her moods SO
well, saw the cynicism that panied him
stealing over her. "These people do not
seem human.
PITY them-pity them" Mark whis-
pered, with soft vehemence, as he went
up the steps beside her.
II can wonder at and shrink from
them, but can't pity them, for don't
believe they know how wrotched they
are"
Don't you think there may be roses
even in this mire? Yes, though they
look only fit for the mire, little fra
GRANGE still turks in some of them
around the folded inner heart But only
those who can pity will ever find it out. "
Marian felt the fatherly reproof in
the words, but there was not time to
say more, for his friend had come into
the hall and was vigorously shaking
them all by the hand.
"Follow me, and I'll give the ladies
seats at the sides kept for visitors But
! wish, Thorne, that you and DR.. Lar
remore would come on the platform.
We have mighty poor showing there
tonight" "
He ushered them into a narrow, low
ceiled room, with benches down the
center, aud to corner where row of
chairs were raised above these. But
there was no room for Hugh, and, obey
ing gesture from Mark, he found linn
self on a small platform, gag rc at ths
preachers back as he stood up facing
the congregation, and with wave of
his hands inviting them all to pray
Mrs. Larromore bowed her head with
the air of q ,1oyotee. Mrs. VeMnor half
covered her eyes with her gloved fingers
and slyly peered through them. Marian
alone made no feint at praying. She
lowered her head little, her deep, dark
eyes sweeping thoughtfully over the
place and lingering on every detail. 1t
was scene she was never to forget.
Those Of the women who were inmates
of the mission sat in front. They were
bareheaded and wore clean white
aprons, while those who had strayed in
that night in their rags and misery kept
near the door. Here and there among
the crowd figure abjectly kneeling
could be seen.
A hymn was sung, and during it
Mark and the preacher went among the
crowd and talked to the newcomers,
who for the most part answered them
only in sullen whispers.
One woman who sat just below Mari
an soon attracted her attention wholly.
She was young and decently dressed,
pretty, too, in dark, bold style, de-
spite the sinister lines on her face Pres
emily Mark found his way to her. She
listened to his whispered admonition,
thdE slowly turned her bright eyes on
him and shook her head.
TITS too late, mister.
''Kneel down and let us pray togeth-
er"
"Quit prayin for me. It's an old
story. 'Tain't any use, she said dis
tinctly in harsh voice that still had
trace of culture lingering in it. "It's
too late for prayer, tell you.
'But it's not too late," pleaded
Mark, "since you come here It's never
too late if you feel the need''-
And if you don't feel the need?"
came to Marian's ears in the same level
tones. '(If you try to and can't and
wonder why you can't, what are you
going to do thenf"
1t was an unansworable question.
Even Mark was silent. When he went
back to the platform, he prayed aloud |
and fervently for that woman, and the
outcast, listening, smiled.
Marian lad watched this failure close
ly. Fer the first time strenuous feel
ing stirred her heart in a new way. The
women, knceling in their rags, sending
up choking prayers, had held no mean
ing for her beyond the revolving picture
they presented, but this woman, who
felt nothing, who knew her vileness,
yet could summon up no shadow of re-
eret for =. she s3a.,9ehc-7 .~niarr.ood.
Children Cry for
Ditch ArSe Hae%neso