Charlevoix county herald., 1913-04-05

full, quick In emergencies, steady un-
der the excitement of the sick-room,
and faithful in small, as well as large.
matters. Moreover, she excelled most
doctors in her ability to interpret
changes and symptoms, and in her in
genuity in dealing with them. Her two
days with James had given her an I'M
Outstanding OF the case, and she was
ready with new devices for his relief.
Agatha finished her tea and joined
Mrs. Stoddard as she stood looking
out into the twilight, seeing things
not visible to the outward eye.
Yes, that's it," she ended abruptly,
thinking aloud; then including Agatha
without any change of tone, she went
on: Il think we'd better change our
plans little. I'm going upstairs now
TO stay while your Mr.. Hand goes
over to the house for me. There are
several things l want from home"
Agatha had no conception Of having
an opinion that was contrary to Mrs.
Stoddard's, so completely was she
won by her tower-like strength.
You know, Mrs. Stoddard," she
said earnestly, that l want to be told
at once, lift there is any change"
81 know. child" the older woman re-
piled, with faraway look. 1--WE are
in the Lords hands. He taketh the
young In their might, and he healeth
them that are nigh unto death We
can only wait his will"
Agatha was the product Of differ
ent age and different system OF
thought. But she was still young, and
the pressure of the hour revived in
her some ghost of her Puritan ances-
trail faith, longing to become real
ity in her heart again. il only for this
| dire emergency. She turned, eager
but painfully embarrassed, to Mrs.
Stoddard. OBTAINING her by touch on
her arm.
But you said Mrs. Stoddard," she
inplored, that the prayer OF faith
shall heal the sick And l have been
praying, too; l have tried to summon
my faith. Do you believe that 1t
counts-for good?'
Mrs. Stoddard's rapt gaze blessed
Agatha. Her faith and courage were
of the type that rise according to
need. She drew nearer to her sanctu-
airy, to the fountain of her faith, as
her earthly peril waxed. Her voice
rang with confidence as she almost
chanted: mo striving toward God is
| ever lost, dear child. He is with US
in our sorrow, even as in our JOY"
Her strong hand closed over Agatha's
for a moment, and then her steady,
slow steps sounded on the stairs.
Agatha went into the parlor, whose
windows opened upon the piazza, and
| from there wandered down the low
| steps to the lawn. 1t was growing
dusk, still, comfortable evening.
Over the lawn lay the indescribable
| freshness OF region surrounded by
many trees and acres of grass. Pres
emily the old hound, Danny, came
slowly from his kennel in the back
yard, and paced the grass beside
Agatha, looking up often with melan-
choly eyes into her face. Here was a
/ living relic of her mothers dead
| friend, carrying In his countenance
his sorrow for his departed master.
! Agatha longed to comfort him a little,
| convey to him the thought that she
would love him and try to understand
his nature, now that his rightful mas
ter was gone. She talked softly to
ing him. Back and forth they paced,
| the old dog following closer and closer
| to Agatha's heels.
Back OF the house was path lead
ing diagonally across to the wall
which separated Parson Thayer's
place from the Westinghouse. The
dog seemed intent on following this
path. Agatha humored him. climbed
the low stile and entered the church
yard AS the hound leaped the stile
after her, he wagged his tail and ap-
peared happy. Agatha remembered
that Sallie had told her, on the day OF
| her arrival. of the dog, and how he
| was accustomed to walk every eve
ming with his master. Doubtless they
sometimes walked here, among the
silent company assembled in the
| churchyard and the minister's silent
friend was now having the peculiar
satisfaction of doing again what he
had once done with HIS master. Thus
the little acre of the dead had it's
claim on life, and its happiness for
| throbbing hearts.
Agatha called the old dog to her
again. This time he came near, rubbed
hard against her dress, and, when she
sat down on fat tombstone. laid his
head comfortably In her lap, wagging
his tail In satisfaction
Danny was a companion who did not
obstruct thought, but encouraged II:
and as Agatha sat resting on the
stone with Danny close by, in that
quiet yard full Of the noiseless ghosts
OF the past. her thought went back to