Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-20
8 Bound by a Spell

tie Bethlehem, and thought, with a shud-
der. of my marriage day. Then | en-
tered the town, and took the street that
led me past the old Abbey ruins. | had
never seen them since that October
night | stopped at the old Norman gate
way. and peered into it's shadows. almost
expecting to encounter the sweet, pale
face again. But all was silent and
deserted-not a soul was in sight.
Whittier was | going? l was going to
Martha. | had carefully preserved her
note. | knew she would give me a shell
ter until | could obtain some kind Of
employment. When | reached the next
town | would sell the bundle Of clothes,
and the money would provide me with
| food and lodging on the way. | had no
conception of the road, but l resolved
that would take the one down which
had seen her disappear She said that
she understood that to be the right one
| would follow in her steps.
The day was just dawning when
came upon a large odfashioned village
| Unused to violent exercise, and exhaust
ed for want Of food. for 4 had eaten
nothing since dinner time the day before.
my steps began to flag. l looked round
some place to rest; there was no sign
of life in any of the houses-all seemed
buried in sleep. | walked slowly OIL
until came to little swing gate, which
led to the village church-an ant i"nt
looking building. embossed in trees.
Here, | thought. is quiet spot whore
| can rest little while | opened the
gate. and passed through.
1t was a pretty. quiet spot. ! could
! 70 &c
rest There was a heavy dew upon the
long grass. so | stretched myself upon
high. fiat tombstone. and placed my bun
die beneath my head. ! was very weary.
and in spite of the cold air Of the dawn,
that made me SILVER, | fell fast asleep.
with the twttering of the waking birds
sounding in my ears.
When l awoke the sun was shining
brightly, and the birds were in full song
For moment | could not comprehend
my position. | sat up and looked round.
but my doubts were only of second.
Then l knelt down against my stone
bed and offered up thanksgiving for
my deliverance. and fervent prayer
for my future safety.
When | rose from my knees l became
conscious that | was not alone Seated
upon tomb little distance from me,
and attentively watching me, was an
old gentleman dressed like a respecta-
BILE farmer.
Good morning, young man." he said.
in a CHEEKY voice; you've had rather n
cold bed. I'm thinking. suppose you've
been travelling all night?"
YES. Sir" answered. "From Bury"
"Why. that isn't more than ten miles.
You should have had little more sleep
| in your bed. my lad. and have started
about this time. Enough to give you
your death Of cold to lie out here and go
to sleep in the dew. You don't look
very strong. either Wherever your
going, you won't get on now till you've
had bit of breakfast"
| colored up at the mention Of break
fast. had not a farthing Of money.
and until | could dispose Of the con-
tents of my bundle. l could not procure
a mouthful. | thanked him. took up my
bundle, wished him good morning and
turned to go.
stop stop. come here a minute" he
called out.
| advanced few steps nearer to him.
He scrutinized me more carefully than
was about to make proposition of
doubtful prudence.
Here, here. you shall come and break
fast with me-" he said, after a minutes
pause. II like the look Of you, and |
don't think you're a tramp"
| thanked him very much for his Lind
ness which. under the circumstances. ]
certainly had not strength Of mind
Iaft 81,
yard and proceeded down lovely green
lane canopied with trees.
Il always rise at FIVE" said the old
gentleman, as we walked along; "and
unless it is very bad weather, take
walk ms far as the churchyard It's
been my custom for many years. and,
suppose. will continue to be so until some
morning | am carried there, never to
come back again. Nothing like exercise
however, and the early morning air
to delay that little event; but not sleep
ing on tombstones," he added, with
laugh.
After about ten minutes walk we
stopped before dor in high garden
WALL which my conductor opened with
key. and facing us at the end of gar
den path was the prettiest cottage | had
ever Sttli, very -ldSIllonPu, ana ell
tirely covered with roses and woodbines.
that loaded the whole air with delicious
perfume. The garden was beautifully
laid out in flower beds; on one side was
grape house. on the other n conserva-
tory, filled with the most brilliant col
ored plants. The rays of the morning
sun were slanting brightly across the
scene. and imparting to it the most
joyously cheerful air.
How different to the house l have
just left" | thought.
Pretty place. isn't it?" said the old
gentleman.
"Sweetly pretty" murmured.
lie led the way into a little low
rocfed room. darkened by the overhang-
ing blossoms that hung thickly over the
!atticed window. 1t was comfortably,
indeed. handsomely. furnished. The table
was laid for breakfast. A second cup
and saucer and plate were soon produced
by kind-looking. middle-aged woman,
and | was soon sitting before a substan
tial meal of eggs and bacon, and cold
beef. to be washed down by plenty of
strong coffee Never had food been so
grateful to me before. and l certainly
lid ample justice to it. l could per-
Give that my host every now and then
EAST curious glance at me. as though l