The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-04
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER Nv.
I doubt whether, if / tried, I could
describe at length the weeks and
months that followed. Like one who
was dead, but possessing still the power
of motion, I pursued my lonely way
All through the first night Of my de-
lparture / walked till the first faint
streak of light heralded the coming
day. I must have walked fast and
mechanically in a direction in which
Il should not be recognized, for when
L looked about me knew not where
4 was. 1t suited me that ] had reached
q place / did not know. An humble
wayside inn was near; entered it, and
asked for q room. There I remained
during the day, and when night fell
Il went out again, and walked ON and
On, through fields and villages, taking
my track that promised to lead me
farther and farther away from familiar
scenes. I must have adopted some
cunning method of concsalment that
70 one accosted me aid inquired
whittier I was going. When day
dawned was in wood, and there
lay unobserved, and pretended to be
asleep when I heard footsteps ap-
proa ching. At night again I continued
my flight, and so, day after day, night
after night passed, until / felt that
u was lost-and safe. kept no count
Of the days, and only knew when it
was Sunday by the ringing OF the
church bells. I entered no church;
did not pray; I strove not to think;
all that I wished was that time would
pass swiftly. I spoke to no man unless
i was spoken to; never laid my hand
with tenderness upon the form Of child
or animal. My heart was turning into
stone, and / set myself steadfastly to
the task of banishing from my mind
every gentle sentiment that strove to
find lodgment there. OF my wife and
Haughter I would not think-I would
not, / would not! There was between
them and me q barrier which believed
to be eternal. I never looked at newS'
paper or printed page; the worlds DO
ings interested me 10 longer.
Not only was my heart turning into
stone, but began to regard with aver
sion all living things.
One Sabbath I was sitting in a
ehurchyard; was tired and faint, and
my feet were blistered with walking
over rough roads. 1t belonged to my
mood to choose ever the stony paths.
They were singing in the church,
quaint old church covered with ivy, in
what part Of England know not.
derived savage pleasure in keeping
myself purposely ignorant Of the places
through which travelled. Worn with
fatigue, my eyelids closed, and 4 light
slumber overlook me. 1t could have
TASTED but short time, for when
opened my eyes heard the singing still
within the church. What specially
aroused me was the voice Of one Oh
the singers. My wife had just such &
voice; it's note of familiar sweetness
startled me. listened in wonder
The singing ceased, and soon after
ward the congregation issued from
the church. I scanned them eagerly as
they came forth; for brief space my
sterner spirit did not assert itself.
! I had no fear that I should be recog
aized, supposing that voice which hat
Impressed me was that of my wife
] had seen my face and form OCCASION
ally in clear water when l stopped Il
drink, and I knew that had grown
out of all likeness Of myself. From thu
night 1 left my home had not shaved
my matted hair, my wild eyes, my
ragged garments, placed me beyond the
pale of recognition. So, without fear
/ gazed at the faces of the worshipers
Ny wife was not among them. In
little while the church was emptiec
of the throng, and I was, l thought
alone again in the churchyard. But
was mistaken. A man stood by my
side.
He was of middle age; his face wa:
benignant, his voice was gentle. A!
he moved and spoke, he seemed to b.
attended by spirit of charity.
"You seem to be in trouble" he said
"Can l help you in any way?'
rose, cast a wrathful glance at him
and walked away from him. die
not turn to see, but knew that he wa
looking after me-
Near the churchyard was a tight!
timbcred wood. 1'hither I wandered
encompassed by silence, and threw my
self upon the ground at the foot Of
tree. Taking some bread from m!
pocket, ate it to keep life within me.
Ordinarily when I was sccosted by
stranger my chief anxiety was to Fl.
from the neighborhooG: but sonethin:
chained me to this spot. 1t may haV'
been the voice singing in the church
which I wished 10 hear again; 1t ma.
have been the manifest kiDdnnss Of fh