Catoctin clarion., 1897-03-11


among the redeemed. Alice, sho knew,
would be mad about it, SO would her
mother, but neether of them would
dare take her to task while the revival
lasted. They would fear what she
might tell to the church folk, especial
ly Mrs. Talbot And afterward-thst
was long way off-no matter what
came then, Ninn felt that to be the her
oine of a night like this paid for very
many snubs and much reviling in the
bosom of her family.
As Teddy saw her and grippcd hor
hands he shouted louder than ever. A
contagious thrill ran through the ex-
cited throng. Old Brother Baxter, who
had raised the tunes for half q century,
struck up in his deepest bass:
"Savel Savcl Save, Lordi
Send converting power Gownl
Save, my dear 1Iordl'
Instantly the simple monochord swell
ed from every throat. Three more pcni-
tents sprang up shouting aloud in the
Joy of new hope. Friends and klnfolk
crowded in to embrace them and wiring
the hands of the Christians about. Other
penitents half ran, half fell, up the
choked aisle. Tho air seemed to pulse
with electric feeling. Brother Walton
prayed without censing, now at this
bowed head. now at that Brother Green
did not stir from his chosen penitent, o
big, rough fellow, who had come to the
altar as though dragged by invisible
hands.
He was Matt Taylor. tho blacksmith,
famed the countryside through for
strength skill and wickedress. He had
not moved from tho spot where be fell
rather than knclt upon first reaching
the altar Strong, slow sobs shook him
from head to foot. His hand was c|inch-
ed hard upon that of the minister. Now
and again he spoke thick word CT
hopeless supplication
"Lord,' came Cry and eas2inI. Il
ain't-wuth savin! YCu know that
you-know--every .thin2-al-I had CT
good-motherl She was good-mighty
good! I-ain't never bcen-no credit ter
her-but she said-it was her last word
YOU loved me-hcttcr'n she did. l
tried ter fcrgt-but-.t staid with me
1T fetched mc-here! Lord, save me
Of you choose-ef you do lovo me-like
she said! M-you don't-l'm lest
world without--eud. Save mel Save
mel Jesus Christ. savc mel
Amen and amen arose Oh every hand,
though the good people had Lot heard
his halting words. None but the all
hearing car indeed might have disen-
tangled them from the massod cCnfu-
sion Of sound about. The blacksmith's
wife sat amazed in fear and trembling
hope He was not actively uNkind to
her when he was sober. That was about
one day In seven. The ether six she spent
in making fair weather for his uncer-
tain temper, and often got blows us
reward Of her endoavCrs. She had been
q church member wsrl she married
him, but since he had refused steadfast-
ly to give her HoEcy for church dues
she had kept away from services until
she was hardly counted Methodist
1t had almost taken her breath when
he bade her get ready to come with him
to Bethel tonight. She did not know
how for weeks some thing Brother Green
had said had been ringing i'll her hus-
band s. mind. The minister's horse cast
a shoe one Sunday rs he was riding past.
Ho had routed out the smith to save tho
beast from going lame. Matt had boast
ed ever since he was grown that every
minister thereabout was afraid to face
him and name religion. Brother Green
did not name it, but at parting he said:
"Thanky, Matt, for an excellent job.
I've heard Of you all around here-how
we'll you know your buSiness-ycs, and
some other things. One is that you new.
er take dare. Now, dare you to come
and zee if know my trade as we'll AS
you do yours. -
Matt had dared, with this result. His
wife, trembling and crying in stifled,
hopeless fashion, longed inexpressibly
to 20 to her beloved tyrant, but feared
him too much to make u forward step.
He might repulse, might even strike,
her. She sat close, quite hidden in tho
mass Of standing people. A sudden
great shout made her start electrically.
She knew; she understood. AS he had
reviled him, her husband was praising
God in the fullness Of his great strength,
in the face Of all men. If only she might
reach himl But how could she move?
She sat down limp. half senseless. when
some one parted tho throng about her,
some one slim and light of foot, who
took her hand in warm clasp and led
her, unresisting, up to the place OF
praise.
Somehow way was made for them,
and at last the throng parted to let tho
sobbing woman come face to face with
her husband. The next minute she lay
against his breast, with his tears rain
ing over her face.
"Thank you, Miss Rob, an help me
thank God," he said to her convoy.
"Men an brethren, hear me tell it. Only
God knows what this here pore little
creeter has had ter bar All suffer fer
me. Eff ever Imistreats her ag'in, may
the good God that has jest been shown
me his love fling me back furder AL
wusser'n ever inter the dark I've lef'
behind. -
Rob McGregor had firm nerves. She
turned from the pair with the first
choke in her throat she had known in
all that wonderful night.