St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-06-27
Judgment in the eyes of Him who

down from the wall, stood at her side
with hands outstretched above her
while she repeated softly:
There is no death, the flowers say;
| In faith we hide our souls away
! While tempests desolate the earth,
And patient wait the promised birth.
| The Southwind chants, there is no death
1 come and Winter is breath;
Against his falling walls set
| The snowdrop and the violet.
| Glad prophets Of thedlife to be!
| A kindred spark abides in thee,
| That, like the wind no tether knows,
1 And yet Is comrade to the rose.
The earth thy mother Is, her breast
Thy comfort, shield and final rest.
There sheltered from the storms thou'll
I bide
The coming of thy Easter tide.
It was morning when Marie awoke
and the air was filled with the chimes
| of many bells. The dream was still
| vivid in her mind and, inyoluHtarily
she glanced at the wall where the pic
ture of the Madonna hung. It was in
its place, but she could not escape the
thought that the scene which was SO
vivid in her mind had really been en-
acted. The hour for morning! serv-
ice was approaching and she felt sud-
den desire to sit once more with the
congregation in the holy silence, to
join in the responses, and to hear the
music of the familiar songs For
months she had not entered the church
doors, but her talk with Sister Cecilia
and the vision of the Madonna had
decided her 10 try once more the con-
ISOLATION of religion.
When Marie came out upon the street
that bright Easter morning she found
Sister Cecilia already at the door.
II came for you," said the Sister,
simply.
II am ready, Sister Cecilia, replied
Marie with equal simplicity. II had
such beautiful dream last night, and
think-yes, know I had already de-
cided-"
ITO go to church?'
Eyes"
TT must have been good dream,
indeed"
"Itwas a message from the Madonna.
She told me that which made me un-
derstand.'
They were walking rapidly toward
the church. As they were about to turn
corner of the street that led up to the
edifice a hearty voice cried out:
.'Marie! Why do you run away from
me?" and turning they saw Pierre hur-
rying to overtake them.
Pierre! Pierre!" murmured the
girl, pale and trembling.
Pierre, that was, Jim Bradford that
is. Don't be frightened at the change,
little sweetheart. A sombrero,
corduroy jacket and the privilege Of
knocking man down without the fear
of having to apologize for sailing under
false colors suits me better than play
ing the role of an artist. But the praise
was worth the trouble thousand
times over. Give me your hands, little
girl, and say that you forgive me-.
Marie would have thrown herself
into the arms of her lover, but Sister
Cecilia interposed. "Tell me-" she
said, before you lead this poor child
into deeper trouble; how can you be so
bold and heartless. You acknowledge
to having won her affections under
false name, you left her for weeks to
the scorn of her associates, weeping
her heart out for love of you, and then
come back expectir 6 her to believe you
henest."
Cali in time, good Sister. You see
had plainsman's dread of being loved
for my few miles square of pasture, and
the cattle that kept the grass trimmed,
rather than for myself. So became
a poor artist and went seeking wife.
1 believed I had found her in Marie,
but there was one more test; how far
would her trust in me go. vert away,
but not so far that could not keep
track of what was going on here. She
has proved herself an angel. II wrung
nv heart to see her sorrow, but for
every moment of anguish have caused
her she shall have a Thousand glad
ones. What do you say, little girl; am
I to be forgiven?"
ST have never doubted you. as the
good Sister here will tell you. Besides,
you know it is Easter morning. Don't
you hear the bells over there ringing
out the proclamation? Tamthe resur-
rection and the life, and whosoever be- |
lieveth on me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live again. believed in you,
and here you are"
She gave him her hands. For mo-
ment they stood looking into each
others eyes. Then with the Sister |
walking with bowed head before them |
they entered the door of the church.