The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-08-27
CHAPTER Nv.

|
By the old oak tree Edna Deane lin.
| gered until the silence of midnight had
fallen over the scene.
She took no note OF time; she was
only vaguely conscious Of her sur
roundings.
| Here she hal loved and trusted, here
her heart had lroken, and the cruelty
OF a treacherous friend, the faithless-
ness OF a plighted lover, had crushed
all the Joy and hope out OF her fresh
young life.
Those silent, anguished hours, how
ever, could not endure forever. Like
on ordeal OF fire, they tried her soul,
but 1t tainted not. The rare purity of
her sweet nature kept her from utter
despair. She was crushed, but duty lay
still before her.
A barren path the future, but she
must tread 1t alone. She must make
no sign as the cruel thorns pierced her
tender heart; she must drain to the
dregs the cup His hands had rendered,
without sigh or moan.
Looking upon the blurred fabric of
her girlhood's love-dream as q shat
tered stately palace, hoping that fate
would lead her to the father whose love
and sympathy she so craved In those
hours of darkness and gloom, she arose
at last, and with set, silent face, turned
her steps away from Hopedale, she be-
lieved, for the last time and forever.
She reached the railroad town across
country, and took the first train for
home. Home! Yes, her heart thrilled at
the name. Home was where loving
hearts encompassed quiet, even duties.
There she would be welcome. Mr.. and
Mrs. Blake would receive her as a
friend, as daughter, and some day she
might tell the kind hearted farmers
wife her sad, bitter story, and learn
from her lips how to bear her cruel bur-
den and suffer In silence.
She did not try to comprehend how
oil that had transpired had come to
pass. The one glazing fact confronted
and appalled, her-she had arrived at
HOpedale to see her lover we'd another.
No excuse Of time, of absence could
condone such speedy transfer of affec-
ton. He was shallow hearted, disloyal,
insincere, and she, Beatrice, schem-
ing siren. :.
Mercy, child! how white and fright
ened you look. But, never mind. Thank
heaven you have come back. John
has been SO lonesome for another sight
OF your bonnie face, that he hasn't eat,
slept or smiled since you went away"
That was Mrs. Blake's CHEEKY well |
come, and it warmed and comforted the |
homeless wanderer.
They asked no questions. but the |
keen motherly eye of the farmers wife |
seemed to intuitively take in a true con- |
ception or shrewd guess of the true
state of Affairs, and without actually in |
truding on Ednas grief, she spoke many |
a quiet, effective word of consolation, |
tried to lead her guests thoughts to
other themes, as the days went by.
/. Thus it was that in less than week |
Edna had settled down into life peace
full, happy, indescribably so, only when
that dark shadow of the past haunted /
her heart Ike pail
Her new friends had talked plainly to
her. They liked her; she filled dead
place in their hearts. She
was welcome to remain with them as
guest or adopted child as long as she
chose.
The little household duties she en-
gagged in busted her thoughts. She saw
4 new mission in life in making the de-
,linmg years OF these two friends hap
by with her presence, her aid and her
smiles.
Indulgent Farmer John brought her
lew dresses, trained his best pony for
Ter use in riding and driving. and in
sisted that she try to WOO back thea
'oses to her wan cheeks by scamper
,ver the moors and down the river path
very day.
The first fierce snow of autumn had
Melted beneath the warm sun, and
November seemed like May. only for
he red fallen leaves and tho crisp,
,racing air.
One afternoon Edna set forth in the
title phaeton for drive over the hills.
The gentle pony answered to the light
at direction Of the lines; the carriage