The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1905-03-02

: tie Bethle aem. and thought. with a slul
der. OF my marriage dly. Then | en-
tered the town. AMI took the street that
} led me past the old Abbey ruins. haC
never seen them since that October
niShtl stopped at the old Norman gate
way. and peered into its shadows. almost
expecting 10 encounter the sweet. pale
face sgain. But all was silent and
deserted-not a soul was in sight.
Whittier was l going? | was going 10
Martha. had carefully preserved her
note. | knew she would give me a shell
ter until l could obtain some kind OF
employment When | reached the rext
town ! would sell the bundle OF clothes.
and the money would provide me with
food and lodging on the way. l had no
conception OF the road. but l resolved
that | would take the one down which
| had seen her disappear She said tLat
she understood that 10 be the right one.
| would follow in her steps
The day was just dawning when
came upon a large. old-fashioned village.
/ Unused 10 violent exercise. and exhaust
ed for want OF food. for had eaten
nothing since dinner time the day before.
my steps began to dag. ! looked round
some place to rest; there was no sign
OF lie in any OF the houses-all seemed
buried in sleep. walked slowly on
until came TO little swing gate. which
led TO the village church-an ancient
looking building. embossed in trees.
Here, l thought. is a quiet spot whore
| can rest little while. | opened the
gate. and passed through.
IL was a pretty. quiet spot. / could
nor have found a better for an hours
rest There vas a heavy dew upon the
long grass. so stretched myself upon a
high. fiat tombstone. and placed my bun
die beneath my head. l was very weary.
and in spite Of the cold air OF the dawn,
thar made me shiyer. l fell fast asleep.
with the twittering OF the waking birds
sounding in my ears.
When | awoke the sun was shining
brightly, and the birds were in full song.
For Il moment l could not comprehend
MY position. l sat up and looked round.
hut my doubts were only OF a second.
Then | knelt down against my stone
bed and offered up a thanksgiving FOR
my deiiverance. and fervent prayer
for my future safety.
When l rose from my knees l became
conscious that I was not alone. Seated
upon a tomb a little distance from me.
aud attenrively watching me. was an
old gentleman dressed like respecta-
bic farmer.
Good morning, young man. he said.
in a CHEEKY voice; you've had rather a
cold bed. I'm thinking I suppose you've
been travelling all night7"
Yes. sir" / answered. Prom Bury
why. that isn't more than ten miles,
You should have had a 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 20 |
to sleep in the dew. You don't look |
very strong. either. Wherever you're
going. you won't get on now till you've
had a bit OF breakfast"
colored up at the mention OF break
fast. had not a farthing Of money.
and until l could dispose Of the con-
tents Of my bundle. l could not procure
a mouthful- l thanked him. took up my
bundle, wished him good morning and
stop. stop. come here a minute" he
ralled out
l advanced few steps nearer to him
He scrutinized me more carefully than
ever, with the expression Of a man who
was about to make proposition of
doubtful prudence.
Here. here, you shall come and break
last with me-" he said. after Minutes
pause. Il like the look Of you. and
lOn't think you're a tramp"
| thanked him very much for his kind
less. which. under the circumstances. |
certainly had not strength OF mind
.nough to decline. We left the church
ard and proceeded down a lovely green
ane canopied with trees.
Il always rise at FIVE" said the old
Gentleman, as we walked along; "and.
Inless it is very bad weather, take. a
walk as far as the churchyard. It's /
cen my custom for many years. and, / !
oppose, will continue to be so until some
Forming / am carried there. never to
ONE back again. Nothing Ike exercise,
owever. and the early morning air.
, delay that little event; but not sleep
~ on tombstones," he added, with s
ugh.
After about ten minutes walk we u
topped before a dor in a high garden | Z
all, which my conductor opened with a .
ey. and facing us at the end Of a gar :,
en- path was the prettiest cottage had
yer seen. very old-fashioned. and Gu
rely covered Win roses ana NOOQDfnes, | -
at loaded the whole air with delicious 5
srfume. The garden was beautifully j
id out in flower beds; on one side vas Is
grape house. on the other conserva- II
ny. filed with the most brilliant col !,
ed plants. The rays Of the morning :,
m we're slanting brightly across the : !,
enc. ard imparting 20 it the most .
yOusly cheerful air. j.
How different to the house / have al
st lefty' I thought. v
pretty place, isn't it?' said the old II
ntleman. m
'Sweetly pretty" ! murmured ri
He led the way into a little low =,
ofed room. darkened by the overlang- -
2 blossoms that hung thickly over the -
lticed window. II was comfortably. III
deed. Handsomely, furnished. The table 81
rs laid for breakfast. A second cup III
d saucer and plate were soon produced
a kind-looking, middle-aged woman,
d was soon sitting before substan-
Il meal Of eggs and bacon, and cold nj
ef, to be washed down by plenty Of
rong coffee. Never had food been so q,
ateful to me before, and / certainly
] ample justice to it. could per- ..
i've that my host every now and then -
st a curious glance at me. as though ]