The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04

voice:
81 believe in you, Mark You've got your
chance now. God bless you, laddie"
The words still were present in his mind when
the conductor told him hour later that this
was Greenve, and he must leave the cars The
boy stood at the waysde station looking about
him, forlornly> enough. But suddenly buggy
drew up beside the platform, and the driver
burly, kndly-looking farmer called to Mark to
jump in, the horses would not stand. AS
Mark obeyed scrambling clumsily over the Wheel
he stared half-frightened at his new master.
Cousin Joe returned the stare with interest GER
tainly not prepossessed by the lads sullen
beetling brow, and tight shut lips. He asked
few questions receiving almost inaudible answers.
Mark, nervous and inwardly excited, showed to
poor advantage. This his first peep at the
country at Nature in spring. He did not under
stand his own strange feelings as he breathed the
fragrant air At home in liquor saloon, or even
within prison walls, here under the canopy of
heaven with the carpet of flowers the rustling
bushes and trees about him, he was hopelessly at
Mr.. Burns let him alone. eff he don't feel like
talking why, he needn't to-" he thought So he
drove on, whistlng cheerily, calling greetings to
passers-by, and keeping up a fire of reproofs to
his skttish horses
You amt got grain of sense, Jimmy Blaine,
to jump at shadder. Amt you 'shamed?"
Mark laughed, then, frightened at his own voice
colored, confused. Would the farmer be angry?
$50 you laugh? Good Wait till you see
Christ He's the greatest Teller to laugh and sing!"
Marks beetle brows unbent as he looked up.
Mr.. Burns looked into his dark ha1f-puzzled eyes
He remained silent after this, immersed in
thought. At length he spoke, pointing to a home
stead distant hillside
MARK" said he, chats my house UP there on
the hill-your home, too, if you do we'll by me
from I've got something to say as I
want you to put into your mind Trust me- If
you go wrong and want to get Strengthened out
come to first thing I could forgive lad
most anything if I knew he trusted me, and I
heard from his lips the very worst as he'd
done"
Mark looked straight ahead, his lips squeezed
closely together, for there was a strange craving
at his heart to burt out:
GIVE been thief-I've stole whenever I got
the chance"
He shuddered as he thought how near he had
been to speaking. The farmer didn't mean he'd
forgive sneak thief-surely notl He rubbed his
hand across his brow, which broke out in sweat
as though fearing the brand of his crime must be
visible then. Though he felt he had no place IN
this strange land still he longed to remain. He
glanced sidelong at Mr. Burns his sullen face
darkenng with his resolve never to breathe
word of his former life. The kindly glance that
met his eyes almost disarmed him
Trust my word boy for don't know how to
lie" said Mr. Burns
Still Mark closed his lips more afraid than ever
of shutting himself out of this foreign atmosphere
which was genial so different from anything
he had ever experienced heretofore. He drew a
long breath of pure air. listened to the song of the
birds, the lowing of cattle in the meadows his
eyes widening almost with alright as he thought
how nearly he had lost tiff he had spoken The
horses galloped up the hill to the homestead A
pretty young stood in the porch waving
greetings, and chubby boy of three years ran
to meet them, his yellow curls blowing in the
wind. Mark had never seen child so pure and
fair in all his existence
"Pick him up" said Mr.. Burns, stopping the
horses. Mark obeyed half afraid to touch this
creature, all white and clean. Then, as the child
made friendly overtures, he took refuge in sullen