The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-06-19
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= The Devils Own. .
. BY MRS. ETHEL THOMAS q
o<O<O> O. 90 10000


S"' hiS VIZ "oiluH Il plllC OF
whiskey when she had gripp md
rheumatism!" was the astonishing
| evidence of one old fellow.
There were several other testimoni-
ais to the virtue of John Arm(ield;
resolutions were adopted and ways
and means discussed as how best to
work for John s salvation. At a late
hour the congregation was dismissed
and all went home thinking charit-
ably of one who for years had been
dubbed "no. good'
Next day John was flushed and
fcvcrish and hardly able to rise for
breakfast, but knowing how anxious
his mother would be, tried bravely to
hide from her his condition. After
breakfast he pretended to be in
tensely interested in book, thereby
forming an excuse for sitting around
the fire. But a mothers intuition is
seldom at fault, and Mrs. Armficld
knew that her boy was not we'll
however, she said nothing. In the
evening Mr.. Armficld went to c.
FOR the mail and John, miserable and
beside himself with remorse for the
actions of the previous night, told
his mother all about 1t, taking all the
blame to himself. Poor mother! how
her heart achcd, yet she tried to
cheer him. Mr.. Armfeld feturncH
from C in jubilant spirits. He
had been cordially greeted by several
of the neighbors and one Of the mcr.
chants; on learning that Mrs. Armfc1d
swas in feeble health, sent her a
dozen oranges.
There were several letters for
John. Sam wrote asking forgive
ness for uncharitable conduct. Some
begged him to come to church; somc
assured him Of their prayers. John
read them with flashing eyes and
tightly compressed lips, then threw
them down contcnlptuously. "The
results of my sermon, mother,' he
explained, seeing her anxious gaze.
"Read them if you -lsh and throw
the whole business in the fire."
starting out. "But here's one you
haven't opened, John,' picking it up
from the floor. "No matter-it's s like
the rest-a hypocritical lie!' "But
John, it looks SO dainty and smells
Of violets. I'm sure IL must lie some
thing nice,' holding it out toward
him coaXingly. John smiled
"For your sake, MOTHER" he
said, taking the letter and opening
it. On a page of pure white were
these words only: ",John, love
you.' Again and again, in troubled,
puzzled amaze he read the thrilling
words, John, I love you." What
could It mean? A thousand conflict
ing emotions surged through his soul.
Loved, he, the disgrace Of the neigh
borhood-a drunkard, gambler and
profane wretch who was welcomed at
no mans frcsidc. Loved! he who for
years had shlnned female Il, society,
feeling himself so degraded and m-
worthy. Loved! There was something
mysterious and indcnnablc about the
little notc-that sweet unsigned con-
fcSsion, that impressed him with a
conviction Of its truthfulncss. Who
could have written it? Who could
care for him, miserable wretch that
he was? "God!' he gaspcd, and
staggered from The room. His mother
| y, val L..
for Dr.. White. Then came six weeks
battling between life and death: :
weeks in which the ncighbors and
people for miles around We'd with
each other in helping to nurse the
sick man and comfort the aged par
entS who seemed destined TO be left
childlcSs and alone. There were some
ignorant and superstitious people
who believed the Affections were
sent as a udgmcnt--becansc Of
Johns neutrality-suspicious. theft
were sent to soften his hcart-or as
a bridge to span the gulf which his
reserve and scnsitivcness would have
made impassablc--who knows? The
doctor said the fever had been in his
system for weeks. That he had cx-
posed himself to the cold and lost
enough sleep nursing old man Smith,
who no one else would visit, to kill a
horse. All that tender, loving hands
could do, every art known to the
good doctor was used in Johns be-