The Art Of Writing & Speaking The English Language / Word-Study and Composition & Rhetoric

s visit to the shoe-maker's had been like a benediction, and the wonderful faith he had witnessed there, combined with the words of brave courage to which he had listened, rebuked his do

r time of need. It was the first link which was to bind him to this parish, the golden link of divine

e with his thoughts and his violin. There was something in his soul which he could express only upon his beloved instrument. He had played very little since coming to Rixton. Twice he had amaz

sound asleep upon the sofa in the sitting-room. Going at once to his little room, Douglas took his violin out of its case, and

ide. It was good to sit there and think. Again the old lure of the freedom of a wandering life swept upon him, and the impression the Bentons had made gradually diminished. His eyes followed several swallows as they darted here

that he must have been asleep for about half an hour. What was it that aroused him? he wondered. No one was in sight, and he could hear nothing. A sense of loneliness suddenly took possession of him. Almost mechanically, he picked up his violin and drew the bow across th

rl at once stepped forth from behind a clump of bushes and advanced toward him. He felt sure he had seen her before, but just where

ghingly began. "You though

las replied. "But I am

of my own company.

! I can never forget the f

las repeated in surpr

stonishment. "It was that awful night in the city when my fathe

eaped to his feet. "Why, yes, you are the very same though not so pale and frigh

ilvery laugh rang out. "How in the

g for Jake Juke

who put him on his back. My,

bout that?" Douglas

knows everything that

ells i

paper. Nell says we wouldn't know

is

ront of the house. You must come with me at once and s

out

dy will be so glad to meet you, too, for he has been feeling so bad

onged to meet the old man he had seen in the city. He believed that he was Andy Strong, of whom Jake had spoken, and who had "a great deal to say about churches, 'ligion an' parsons," and who was "down on 'em

iolin under his arm, walked along by her side. She

to the river. "Oh, it is such fun when the ice is good. The boy

Douglas asked when the

time. But daddy teaches me. He is a great scholar, and knows mos

asked in surprise.

as only a little girl when we left, but I remember it well. Nell was at college when f

u lived here

is no other plac

ou li

We have such great times together. But here we

ian listening intently to what his daughter was reading. She was seated upon the ground by his side, with a book lying in her lap. It was only for

ried as she rushed forward. "

er lifted her head and her e

yed for us in the cit

erful that I h

he young woman's face, as she at once

quietly remarked. "Father," and she turned partly around, "this is th

as he took Douglas' hand. "I have wanted to thank you ev

," Dougla

ame. Nan, get him a chair

las apologised. "It was your daughter who brought me here.

u must have supper with us. We have it out here on the grass w

ny trouble on my accou

e, anyway. He always like to have it early, especially on Sunday

fine elm and maple trees. Surrounding the house was a garden, consisting of vegetables and berries of several kinds. Pa

ul place here, sir,

hat more could one desire? 'The Lord hath done g

owly uttered these words. Surely, if he were an unbelieve

way, sir. Few people ever think of b

in other words, the dictates of conscience! 'Before I was afflicted, I went astray,' as the psalmist sang. But I have viewed things in a different light since then, and though the Father's hand has been heavy upon me, it was for my good, and for which I am most thankful. The grea

ipture, I see," Douglas rem

ard of Avon are the books I recommended above all others to the students of my class. Not only for the great uplifting

ach at college?"

you can easily guess f

r over fift

miss such

, and my present leisure affords me the opportunity o

hat is

hakespeare. It is well advanced now, and a noted publisher, a sp

d your blindness a

s a door he always opens a window. It was so with sightless Milton, and though I do not class myself with him, nevertheless,

s work of yours?" Douglas questioned. "Y

trials of the poor old king. I mentally compared my lot with his and found that the advantage is mine. He had no home, two ungrateful daughters, and, as far as I can learn, no 'shadow of a rock in a weary land.

ou when your book is published. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that it will be

like to see it in manuscript? I have not shown it to any one outside my own household

as she at that instant appeared

ll. I want to show

after supper, father,"

y, and when we are thro

Hand

need

," and Nell gave

pread the white cloth upon the

er," Nell apologised, as she sat down u

ied. "It has been a long time since I have seen su

fessor proudly explained.

ather? You must gi

arming," and Nan gave her pretty head a slight to

. He could not understand the mystery surrounding the visit of the professor and his daughter to the city, begging o

of cigars," her father or

se. "Why, daddy, you have been keeping

Dr. Royden visited me, I have had no one to take a keen interest in my work until to-day. When he sent me those cigars the following Christmas, he wr

he blew the smoke into the air with considerable relish. What a picture she would make sitting there, he thought. She seemed to be wholly una

re, with the river right near, and the spire of the church showing above the tree tops. I wish I were an artist. By the

ake and held up a warning finger. He looked quickly at her father, and saw that his face had undergone a remarkable change. He was sittin

-fledged parsons strutting around as if they owned the universe. Little wonder t

dear," Nell interpose

just stating plain f

as well

r, father, and we must not trouble him w

look into his visitor's face. "Nell is quite right; she is always

s due to her father's words, but as he caught her giving a quick and an occasional glance toward the shore, he believed that she was expecting to meet some one there in a few minutes. He wondered who it

soon, will you not?"

bade him

he reply. "I am most anxious to see

pleasure. I intended to discuss it with you t

music," Nell remarked. "I am so sorry that

about it, I assure you, Miss

remember you're not going to play all the time, nor talk book nor Church matters; you're going to talk to me.

y replied. "I shall see that you are

meadow and forest. The thought of Nell brought a thrill to his heart and a strange new peace into