Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-01-06
HER ONE ERROR.
OR
THE FISHERMAN'S BRIDE.
CHAPTER XXV.-CoNTINUED.

deed by death they had been parted,
and of it's bony symbol now lying hid
away in the folds of her dress, where
with the ring, she had stitched the
skeleton hand, for security. But she
said nothing, though she now saw, as
in a. vision, the fresh obstacles that
she must encounter in this the rough
path she had chosen.
Her well-meaning friend continued
81 must hope thee will not think me
harsh; indeed, we pity thee-I and my
niece-very much, for this dear inno-
cent one yet the more, and would do
all we might to aid thee; and SO |
would gladly see the acting as beseems
a good woman and dutiful wife; for
who should man trust to in his need,
ay, even in his errors and shortcom-
ings, if not to her who is bone Of his
bone, and flesh Of his fesh?-to her
prayers, to her intercession, to her
healing words, and righteous consola-
ton? Bethink thee, my child, when [
saw thee lying yonder III distress,
would I stay to ask vert thou insin or
shame? vert thou Of the chosen of
Heaven, or but a castaway? Thou
vert in trouble and suffering, and we
succoured thee, and but did that we
should have done had crime been writ
ten on thy forehead. Then how much
more shall be expected to one who,
by her own lips, is pledged to love
and obey, and honor in all
things, second only to God? If she
quit man, even in his evil ways, who
shall follow him thither, to seek and
to save him?"
The unhappy wife wept on. The
dame, whose zeal had warmed into
an enthusiasm, and who feared, per-
haps that the sight of the younger
ones tears might move her to display
more OF weak human naturethan was
consistent with fit austerity, now rose;
and, taking the child from the weak
arms of it's mother, laid it upon the
bed, and tenderly covered it. Then
she quilted the room. But Nelly was
not left long to shed her tears in soil
tude On tiptoe, presently, stole in
the kind-hearted Rachael, who, setting
down beside her the basin of nicely
prepared food for the invalid's supper,
spoke soothingly, as she made little
arrangements for her comfort.
"Pray, don't thee cry" said the girl;
''nly aunt never means to vex you, or
any one; she only speaks for the best.
She is SO very good, it do seem hard
for ordinary folk to be like her. The
right do not seem always SO easy. |
am sure I know that, who have had
her teaching ever since [ can remem-
Der. But don't thee fret; and when
thee's a bit stronger thee will see
things more cheerful know thee will
so; and my aunt means thee to stay
till thee be strong and hearty"
Poor Nelly! here was anew difficulty
"a fresh penance to be superadded to
that accumulated burden she already
accepted as the lifelong expiration of
her first error!
At that moment she felt, heavy as.
was her debt Of gratitude, that she
could have turned from the house Of
her benefactor without a word, to
seek once more her fate; but with the
consciousness of incapability came
reflection. She was compelled to ac-
knowledge in her heart much of the
truth Of dame Tibbett's exhortation;
felt, too, how utterly impossible it
was for others to sympathize with or
understand her motives; felt that she
must hencefOrth be content to be con-
demned and scorned by her fellow
creatures, on a verdict against which,
though she might appeal to her own
conscience, she could elsewhere urge no
valid defence, and that submission
and resignation would be her sole
refuge.
A few more days passed. Shegained
strength, and urged her wish for de-
parture Ever since she had begun to
sit up, she had insisted on employing
her hands at some needlework-the
only means she had possessed of testi-
flying her gratitude; and the unusual
skill and beauty OF her work had graft
fed the old woman extremely.
From Rachael, Nelly had learned
the cause of the disturbance that had
so alarmed her, and, to herrelief, that
Saul had only inquired the road.
cit might have been Traveller, who
had lost his way: or it might have
been some evildisposed fellow" said
Rachael. ''Aunt thinks it was, as the
barking of the dogs seemed to have
scared him, for when we got to the up
per window, where we answer from, he
was gone. 1t would not do, thee
knows, to open the door to all at
night, and we but two lone women,
though the dogs are safeguard-that
is certain"
1t was a poor chance-the ventur-
ing forth again in uncertainty-and
Nelly felt it to be so; but she was
greatly restored, and her little daugh-
ter seemed almost to have forgotten
her share of their troubles in the
pleasant life she now led. Indeed,
Nelly dreaded a longer continuance Of
ease, and determined on at once set
ting forward.
She had already urged her wish,
and been always induced to delay by
the kind persuasion other newfriends;
now she announced her resolution
fixed.
Shew alone with the dame when she
said this: 1t was evening, and little Ida,
with the gentle Rachael, was enjoying
the delights of the small garden-the