Page:A New England Tale.djvu/210

Rh "I have done wrong," he stammered out, "old fool that I was. Erskine is your friend, Miss Jane. The Lord forgive me," he added, rising and walking to the door. Jane had risen also, and with a trembling hand was tying on her hat. "And the Lord help thee, child," he continued, turning again towards her, "and keep thee from every snare. Well, well!—I never should have thought it."

Jane felt humbled by the old man's sympathy; and yet it was too sincere, too kindly felt, to be repressed. She was hastening away, when Sarah said, "You have forgotten your bundle, Miss."

"It is for you, my good friend," she replied; and, without awaiting their thanks, she bade them farewell, and was soon out of sight of the old man, whose eye followed her quick footsteps till she was hid by the adjoining wood. He then turned from the door, and raised his hands and his faded eyes, glistening with the gathering tears, to Heaven—"Oh Lord!" he exclaimed, "have mercy on thy young servant. Suffer not this child of light to be yoked to a child of darkness."

We believe that, in all classes and conditions, women are more inclined to look on the bright side of matrimony than men. In this case Sarah, after a little consideration, said, "I'm a thinking, John, you take on too much; you are a borrowing trouble for Miss Jane. She is a wise, discreet young body, and she may cure Mr. Erskine of his faults.