Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-12-31
8. Barring GOULD

3
wandering fires fared, glowed, and
went out. Was it not a picture Of
the contrast between life on earth and
| life in the settled celestial habita-
! tons? Barbara was not a girl with
much fancy, but some such a thought
came into her mind, and might have
taken form had not she at the moment
seen a dark figure issue from the
lane.
who goes there?' she called, i'm
/ periously.
The figure stopped, and after mo-
ment answered: oh, miss, you have a.
given me a turn. 1t be me, Jane
And pray said Barbara, what
brings you here at night? Whittier are
you going?'
The girl hesltated, and CROPPED in her
mind for an excuse. Then she said: 4
want, miss, to go to Tavistock.'
To Tavistock 1t is too late. Go
/ home to bed
I must go, Miss Barbara. I'm sure l
don't want to. I'm scared of my life,
but the master have sent me, and
what can l do? He've a-told me to go
to Joseph Woodman.'
1t is impossible, at this time. 1t
must not be-
But, Miss, / promised I'd go, and
sure enough, l don't half like it, over
those downs at night and nobody
knows what one may meet. l would
not be caught by the Whilst Hounds
and Black COpplestone, not for'-the
girls Imagination was limited so she
concluded, we'll Miss, not for no
thing
Barbara considered a. moment, and
then said, L have no fear. I will ac-
/ company you over the Down, till you
come TO habitations. l am not afraid
Of returning home alone
Thank you, Miss Barbara, you be
wonderfully good
The girl was, indeed, very grateful
for her company. She had had her
nerves sore.y shaken by the encounter
with Watt, and now in the fulness of
her thankfulness she cOnfided to her
mistress what Mr.. Jordand had said
concluding with her opinion that prob
ably it was naught but fancy of the
Squire; he do have fancies at times.
/ HowsOmever, us must humor m
Jasper also had gone forth. In his
/ breast also was trouble, and a sharp
pain, that had come with a spasm
when Barbara tod him how she hated
him.
But Jasper did not go to Morwell
Down. He went towards the Raven
Rock that lay on the farther side Of
the house. He also desired to be
alone and under the calm sky. He
was stifed by the air of a house, de-
| pressed by the ceiling.
| The words of Barbara had wounded
| him rather than stung him. She had
| not only tod him that she hated him.
but had given the best proof of her
sincerity by betraying him Suspect
! ing him of carrying on an unworthy
! intrigue with Eve, she had sacrificed
| him to save her sister. He could not
| blame her, her first duty was to-
! wards Eve. One comfort he had
that, though Barbara had betrayed
him, she did not seek his punishment
she sought only his Punishment from
MOrwell
Once-just once-he had half
| opened her heart, looked in, and
! fancied he had discovered a tender
regard for him lurking in its bottom.
Since then Barbara had sought every
opportunity of disabusing his mind OF
such an idea. And now, this night, she
had poured out her heart at his feet,
and shown him hatred, not love.
Jasper's life had been one of self
/ denial There had been little JOY in
it, Anxieties had beset him from
| early childhood; soicitude for his
brother, care not to offend his father.
| BY nature he had a very loving heart,
but he had grown up with none to love
| save his brother, who had cruelty
abused his love A joyous manhood
never ensues a joyless boyhood. Jas
per was Away sensible of an inner
| sadness, even when he was happy.
His brightest joys were painted on a
somber background, but then, how
much brighter they seemed by the
cOntrast-alas, only. that they were
so few. The circumstances of his
rearing had driven him upon himself
so that he lived an inner life, which
he shared with no one, and which was
unperceived by all. Now, as he stood
on the rock, with an ache at his heart
Jasper uncovered his head, and looked
into the softly lighted vault, set with
few faint stars. And as he stood thus
with his hands folded over his hat
and looked westward at the clear, cold
silvery sky behind and over the Corn
ish moors. an unutterable yearning
strained his heart. He said no word
he thought no thought. He simply
stood uncovered under the summer
night sky. and from his heart his pain
exhaled.
Did he surmise that at that same
time Barbara was standing on the
moor, also looking away beyond the
horizon, also suffering, yearning, with
out knowing for what she longed?
No he had no thought of that.
And as both thus stood far removed
in body. but one in sincerity, suffering
fidelity. there shot athwart the vault
of heaven a brilliant dazzling star.
Mr.. Coyshe at his window, smoking
said: BY Ginger! a meteor!'
But was It not an angel bearing the