Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-30

He Fell ON His Knees.
plucked from the burning" And before I
could speak or attempt to hinder him he
stepped swiftly across the pathway and en-
tered the tavern. 1, seeing nothing else
that 1 could do. followed him straightway
and as fast as I could.
I was in maze Of feeling. The night
before l had reasoned with myself and
schooled my Maynard passion to resolve
neither to see nor speak with her. Re
sc eminent at the shame she had brought on
me aided by stubbornness, and helped me to
forget that had been shamed because she
had remembered me. But now I followed
Phineas Tate For be memory ever SO keen
and clear. yes. though it seem able to
bring every feature, every shade and every
pose before mans eyes in absolute ffdel-
fty, yet how poor and weak a thing it is
beside the vivid sight Of bodily eyes; that
paints the faded picture all afresh in hot
and glowing colors, and the man who babe
defiance OF the Dersuasions of his recol-
lection, falls, beaten down by the fierce
force Of present vision. followed Phin-
cas- Tate, perhaps using some excuse with
myself-indeed, I feared that he would at
tack rudely and be cruelty plain with her
yet knowing in my heart that went be-
cause 1 could do nothing else. and that
when she called every atom of life in me
answered to her summons So I went, to
find Phineas standing bolt upright in the
parior of the tavern, turning the leaves of
sought some text that was in his mind.
passed by him and leant against the wall
by the window; SO we awaited her, each of
US eager, but with passions most unlike.
She came, daintily dressed now, although
still negligently She put her head round
the corner Of the door, radiant with smiles,
and with no more shame or embarrassment
than if our meeting in this way were the
most ordinary thing. Then she caught sight
Of Phineas Tate and cried pouting "But I
m my
dear Simon"
Phfneas caught the cue her words gave
him with Derverse readiness.
alone with him. yes he cried. But
with God?'
"AlaST said she, coming in and seating
herself at the table, lis there more still?
Indeed, I thought you had said all your
end it."
He advanced to the table and stood d.
rectly opposite to her, stretching his arm
toward her, while she sat with her chin
on her hands watching with eyes half
amused, half apprehensfve.
You who live IN open sim he began;
before he could say more I was by his
elbow.
Hold your tongue I said. What is
it to your
Let him go on. Simon" said she.
And go on he did, telling alias l prayed.
more than all-the truth, while she heard
him patiently. Yet now and then she gave
herself a little shake, as though to get
rid of something that threatened to stick.
Then he fell on his knees and prayed fer
vently, she still sitting quiet and 1 stand
irg awkwardly near. He finished his
prayer, and, rising again. looked earnestly
at her. Her eyes met his in good nature,
almost in friendliness.s He stretched out
his hand to her again. saying:
Child, cannot you understand? Alas,
your heart is hardened! 1 pray Christ our
Lord to open your eyes and change your
heart, that at the last your soul may be
saved"
Nelly examined the pink nails Of her
right hand with curious attention
Il don't know that I'm more of sinner
than many Others" said she. Go to court
and preach, sir"
A sudden fury seemed to come over him,
and he lost the gentleness with which he
had last addressed her.
The word shall be heard at the court"
he cried, Tin louder accents than mine.
Their cup Is full the measure of their
iniQuity is pressed down and running. over
All who live shall see.''
Like enough" said Nell, as though the
matter were grown very tedious, and she
yawned just a little, but, as she glanced
at me- a merry light cleaned in her eyes.
asked.
He turned on me with start, seeming to
have forgotten my presence:
f,,l no 9,t TINS young MANI he asked. looking
"
est; If he choose his friends well, he may
do WELL"
Il am one of his friends" said Nell. land
l defy any man on earth to have given the
lie to such claim SO made"
ana Tor you. may the Lord soften your
heart said Phineas to her.
Nell. o'"
You will see me again." said he to her.
ana moved toward the door. But once
more he faced me before he went, and
looked very fntently at me. Then he pass
ed out, leaving US alone.
AT his going Nell sighed for relief,
slretched out her arms and let them fall
on the table in front of her: then she
sprang up and ran to me, catching hold Of
my hand.
And how goes all at pretty Hatch
drew back. releasing my hands from
hers. and spoke 10 her stiffly.
Madame, said ], this Is not HATCH
stead, nor do you seem the lady whom I
knew at Hatchstead''
Indeed. you seem very like the gentle-
man ! knew. and knew we'll. there she
retorted. -
And you. very unlike the lady
Nay. not so unlike as you think But
are you also going to preach 70 me-
Madame" said i, In cold courtesy 81
have to thank you for good remembrance
OF me and for your Kindness In doing me
a service; assure you prize It none the
less because may not accept it,
You may not accept fty' she cried
"What! You may not accept the COM
mo. madame said I. bowling low. Her
face was like pretty child.s in disappoInt-
ment.
.And your arm7 How came vn,, to ~