Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-02-10
8 Bound by a Spell 81

1 cast one farewell glance upon the only
home l had ever known and wall ed
swiftly onward.
l made towards Bury. I passed Lit
tie Bethlehem, and thought, with shud-
der, of my marriage day. Then l en-
tered the town, and took the street that
led me past the old Abbey ruins. l had
never seen them since that October
night. l stopped at the old Norman gate
way, and peered into its shadows, almost
expecting to encounter the sweet, pale
face again. But all was silent and
deserted-not a soul was in sight.
Whittier was I going? l was going to
Martha. 1 had carefully preserved her
note. | knew she would give me shell
ter until l could obtain some kind of
employment When l reached the next
town 1 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 1 would take the one down which
1 had seen her disappear. She said that
she understood that to be the right one.
l would follow in her steps.
The day was just dawning when 1
came upon large, old-fashioned village.
ed for want of food, for 1 had eaten
nothing since dinner time the day before,
my steps began to flag. 1 looked round
some place to rest; there was no sign
of life in any of the houses-all seemed
buried in sleep. 1 walked slowly OIL
until came to little swing gate, which
led to the village church-an ancient
looking building, embossed in trees.
Here, 1 thought, is a quiet spot where
1 can rest little while. l opened the
gate. and passed through.
1t was pretty, quiet spot. l could
not have found a better for an hours
rest. There was heavy dew upon the
long grass, so 1 stretched myself upon a
high, fiat tombstone, and placed my bum
die beneath my head. l was very weary,
and in spite of the cold air of the dawn,
that made me shiver, 1 fell fast asleep,
with the twittering 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 I could not comprehend
my position. l sat up and looked round,
but my doubts were only of a second.
Then l knelt down against my stone
bed and offered up a thanksgiving for
my deliverance, and fervent prayer
for my future safety.
When l 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 CHEEKY voice; you've had rather a
cold bed. I'm thinking. 1 suppose you've
been travelling all night?"
Eyes, 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 &c
| 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 bit of breakfast"
l colored up at the mention of break
fast. I had not farthing of money
| and until I could dispose of the con
tents of my bundle, I could not procure
| mouthful. I thanked him, took up my
| bundle, wished him good morning anG
| turned to go.
stop, stop! come here a minute" ht
called out.
l advanced a few steps nearer to him
He scrutinized me more carefully thar
ever, with the expression of man WHIT
| was about to make a proposition O.
doubtful prudence.
Here, here! you shall come and break
/ fast with me-" he said, after minute
pause. Il like the look of you, and
don't think you're tramp"
| l thanked him very much for his kind
ness, which, under the circumstances.
| certainly had not strength of min,
enough to decline. We left the church
yard and proceeded down lovely gree
lane canopied with trees.
/ 81 always rise at five," said the oil
gentleman, as we walked along: land
unless it is very bad weather, take
| walk as far as the churchyard. It
been my custom for many years, and,
suppose. will continue to be so until som
morning l am carried there, never t
come back again. Nothing like exercise
however, and the early morning all
to delay that little event; but not sleeI
ing on tombstones,' he added, with
laugh.
| After about ten minutes walk W
stopped before a dor in high garde
wall, which my conductor opened with
key and facing us at the end of gal
den path was the prettiest cottage ha
ever seen, very old-fashioned. and cl
tirely covered, with roses and woodbine
that loaded the whole air with deliciou
perfume. The garden was beautiful
laid out in flower beds; on one side we
grape house, on the other conservi
, tory, filed with the most brilliant co
ored plants. The rays of the mornin
sun were slanting brightly across ii
scene, and i1nparting to it the mo
joyously cheerful air.
[ How different to the house l ha,
t just leftv / thought.
t Pretty place, isn't it?' said the O
: gentleman.
r ''Sweetly pretty" murmured.
, He led the way into a little loy
rooted room. darkened by the overhan
| ing blossoms that hung thickly over IL
0 latticed window. 1t was comfortabl
i indeed. handsomely, furnished. The tab
: was laid for breakfast. A second CT
e and saucer and plate were soon produc,
i by a kind-looking. niiddie-aged Woma