Pittston Gazette

              - nj» lStK gTOS.' luzernB county, pa., Friday, MARCh '"i "■■•■■ ■•, - - j - ■ » ... i^... in the office and Is one beckoned her child ten to come Into the icpueu v*eurgt ogrfcphers In the state. i next room. Her face was exceedingly anC* then helpeo Over, and I wiHh we pale, and she wu trembling as If with "I say, "Georp SuldUQlt fcOhl f J omi ), •  »C't«?*} /»Cai tWi* . v a .if .y.•• * *tn • bit* -DiU ai**-.« nmsni DiWD imm'i *.Dt • J OilMI - ill n.ifff ._{{# «|U -tiM -ttli «*i«m i'lH'tiii'V afe *t? " 1-"?t ft J T ' .rtH't ||« ■V ■ t JvjH ' 3 - Utl tf « iV li r J*;: DiU **i w».l Aina 'Vl,. „ J in tie Wvomins Vallev *Wrr 1900. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. J SI.00 a Yntr J In Adrim. Again Mrs. Hardy, who rarely ▼•»- fared to oppose bier husband's wishes, tamed to the piano and struck « few chords aimlessly. Then the wheeled about and said abruptly: „ "Robert, the cook gave warning tonight that she must go borne at once/' " Mr. Hardy bad begun to doce a little, bnt at thli sodden statement be sat np and e*claimed: * »j: . D,C,? nfJMoia montl rf the beat? stel We're talked li jouklbe iparjled bo!" Clara some great terror. , burst out with It all at once, while Bess i - - ■ j.^- | CHAPTER II. YeH, they're teal sensible, and I The children all cried out In surprls, think JhmeB Is nice, but when I marry and hurried Into the next room. Bu I want more itban |40'a month for can-. before delating what happened theri if alone. And, then, he Isn't partlcu- we wHl follow Mr. Hardy Into the ex larly handsome." *' * ] perlencp be had Just after falling "Ho Is, too," cried Clara. "And he's asleep upon the lounge by the open fire good and praye andcqflendia, and I'd |t seemed to him that he stepped a rather have him than a thousand such ance frotn the room where he lay intt men as L&ncey Cummings. Mother, I 4 place sC«h as he had never seen be don t want money. It; hasn't madeyou 'ore...wot e the one great idea tha happy." ,t. ... v.naiS.t • , ;i ' "Hush, dear!" Mrs. Hardy felt as if , " a blow bad smitten her In the face. ? , M . She was silent then. - -T. ... hite. ii  Clara put her arms around her moth- a-' a ; erand whispered: "FOrgtve me, moth- ***&C JD'** mpViu,. J-.-. ... er! I didn'tmean to htirt yon. But I entire wond., ilet.jiM.-ji iw am ao unhappyr "" every home, .every puU.ie pl.-KT ever, saloon awl plm-e beginning to -blossom out toward the  face of God under the Influence of that *1, v.C2. ® "7*"! moat divine and tender and true feel- T\ I , Ine that »T«. tA -• mtrt oHi. Klobe. And he thought he could her VZ * * 'SL the world's conversation, eat. li its sr.' with afll his soul And some people °f nay' eT,'n-Cawl! the.mea. would have us leave this subject to the 01 tl"'.,"'ar flippant novelist Instead of treating It ™ * ! u PT,"aP ' as Christ did when he said, "For this 1tv nH h V °V cause"—that Is. for love-"sball a man T y J V S, "as : leave his father and mother and cleave SraSUfhi^b^b b° ?uh nnirt hi a wH««" Iook *na tllr(DU£b which the sounds ( Mm H.rS w„ „n tbo point or C•' "!»; tag something wben tbe sound of pe- Jt&SI V. culls* steps on the stairs was heard. h™r * °fth CO,; and shortly after Alice pushed the cur- *£JS* t£7„£. u1"tinMnrR ' tains aside and came in.' Alice was *?ougbti 6f tbe '"habitant* and see the oldest girl in, the family. She wa* f "♦ W,Hh,' a cripple, the result of an accident exactness. He looked fa When a child, and she carried a crutch, th " °WD "TS Bartou using It with much skill and even ™*!! L,? L7' *POt °L fha nrlavte she entered, the Sf K™! h T, TT room she saw something was happen- , i a0t *7 ' lug,,but she sMftpiy satd? *»• • '' the °°ver and 06111 down u Isn't tt a little strand fa- on . , sy.-i w ther slieeps so I went up to ,_tor.a h * . waa mln "One of them had his eye* put out," kIUm uU Istera home. It was Just after tbfamily has kept her struggling to w kJ1. ' ' ' Sunday evening-service, the one whlcL were existence. The cook was almost didn't ausut,' wi; , Mr. Hardy had thought so dull. Mr £s»de herself with grief as told But I neve, u... D wCblS wlfe&  the story and said, aha must leave us guriday night. He u*u*iiy.iuu D u, L\. f  wad cjjrg her sister, who could not la the study ~ T ar' . f® ' 1 feel about dls live more than a week at the longest "Perhaos he Is sick I will to and fotiragCl W w at U8e 18 aI1 our Prav I pitied the poor girl. Robert don't ,«,» I — , ing and longing for the Holy Spirit you think we could do something for Mn» i Hardv and went into the * W,?n our own ohuroh members are so selves. We easily help them and boy, WU1, owe down stairs He said ? destroyed . And you know. I not 19la# a single luxury." something to his mother as he passed a 8pef p. a to a , tbe n,emberfl "And where would such help end? If through the eoom a«d then came in i i'ii? .°?'y a hand we give to every needy person who where, tbe gtrla were carrying one of ihere. I feel like giving np the comes along we shall be beggars our- his hooks In his hand! ■ n ' could make a selves. Besides, I can't effort It The "Say, Alice, translate this passage 2? boys are a heavy expense to me while for mi trtfl yooT Confound the old Ro- for tbey are In college, and the company mans anyway! What do 1 care about Inhn lf 0 . . „. _ . has been cutting down salaries lately, the way they': fobght their old battles out YoJ must thf?» It the cook's sister Is married to a rail- and built their old one horse bridges'r; T , ™ ™ / ; road man, he Is probably getting good what' £ake*me 1 °Dt °f a.cb°rch mPm wages and can support her all right" CW l thing ihy I ,°!f T °f UJlDg "What if that railroad man were in- can't he drive right straight ahead In- [ D 8eem J ght to Jured and made a cripple for Ufef In- ctead !of beating about the bush sol .Twr Harrtv ' nM . „ quired Mrs. Hardy quletiy. If I couldn't get up a better language \h,*f Hardy Wa" there! D,d you  "Then the Insurance compare* or than tboSe old duffers used to write | the societies can help them, out I their books in Td lie down and die. I to hlm' I- Lrv eowfl don't see how we can make every case I to him. and he treated me very coldly. that comes along our care. There ' 1 ' / t f. e '8 moi*t wealthy and In would be no end of It it we once be-, 8oniei waj8 lthe m28t ftcd churcb ■ -™\ meml)er we have. He could do great "Am nearly as I could And out," con- f?r tbe good of tbU community tinned Mrs. Hardy, without replying to „ .. , her husband's remarks, "cook's sister tbougbt the Is married to one of the men who were ™l er cban«eC3/, ,nt0 tbe »unda^ hurt school superintendent and be was kenly In our - • V . J walking down the street thinking about make out exactly bow, ,1; classes In tbe scbool, and Mr. Harwas much excited. Suppose .t . thought he could hear the superinyllle, couldn't you do sometbius . I ' tondents thongbts, as If his ear were them then, Robert 7" at a Phonograph. '1 might," replied Mr. Hardy briefly. "It's too bad! That class of boys 1 ''But I can tell you I have more calls wanted Mr. Hardy to take left the tot my money now I meet- . because no one could be found Take the church expenses, for example. And , now Bob Wilson Why. we are called upon to give to «ot Into trouble and been arrested some cause or other every week, be- »for thieving. It will be a terrible sides our regular pledges for current blow to his poor mother. Oh. why Is it expenses. Ifs a constant drain. I that men like My. Hardy cannot be shall have to cut down on my pledge. made tp see tbe importance of work in We can't be giving to everything all 'S* Sunday School? With his knowltha if ma a nri ha vo anrthlncr nnranlvna f«dge of chemistry and geology he could 1 Mr. HaWy spoke" with atoucb of in- "Say. Bern, I again." mVuHT °f ?T' m*. '1* Ugyatlon, and his wife glanced around -a,,.* gBCi the old verb to that sentence 1 home, up Into his labthe almost palatial room and smiled. Syia/ and exercised an Influence over Then her face grew a little stern and " mayJe CaSr em tbey wou,d never out« °b: Umost forbidding as she remembered : lt out lllgt on purpose to plagtie us .a 8lraqge tblDg t0 me that men ot that only last week her husband had |Ss" 8ucb labilities do not realize tbelr ipent $150 for a new electrical appa- W111 shied the book over to Al- po**r!" ratus to experiment with to his labora- ice who eood naturedly beran to read. superintendent passed along tory. And now ho was talking hard JoSh lha"ng bi8 head «D"X»wfuUy, and Mr. times grudging the small supw.he by Bess "And began to tease feer Sf y' hWb° 8®fmed lded 801116 fave to religious objects in connection .„(D Ai_fa power he could not resist and comfvlth his church and thinking he could -what are yon and Clara doln* at £^led to U"ten wbether he liked it or lot afford to help the family of a man Ume of Tlm y n younKBtere not* n®xt found hlmself looking Into had once saved hts life! 1 were eoU S staire T of the railroad 8b°P tenements. Again she turned to tbe piano and Bessie will soul What v»u been wbere ***— maD ScovlUe was lying, played awhile, but she could noit be ; tar ■ cur* v«k» Cin VeiJr' - awaiting ampuutlon of both.foet after rested by the music as'sometimes she 1 ..t _hmly thlnk M h» Mh«m. r'e terrible accident Scqville's wife lad been. When she finally rose and] f yourself Will stndvlna on a,,..! ,a? a ragged lounge, while Mrs. walked over by the table near the end d niCrhtsP' said little Rmw renrhvlrti Hardy'aoook kneeled by her side and * tt. lgunge. Sfc V* V»m. *» *"««■ " f-"" «—k ««»"« C•D tad she sat down by the table, gazing „N VorstTthan snarklna Sundav 0011,1 tbe P°°r woman- 80 ft was nto the open fire drearily, a look of Wm trup 4,181 the8e Wer® sisters. The wrrow uSf ®S« on tbe face .tlfl "!?Si n""D ™" co°so,»»! "d Deautlful, but worn by years of dlsap- unspeakably. The raUroad surgeon had wintment and the loss of that respect vo neen witn ciara - bee« sent for, but had not arrived, ind admiration she once held fOr the Three or four men and their wives bid nan who had vowed ajt the altar to .come In to do what they could. Mr. nake her happy. She had not lost her Burns, the foreman, was among them. as ne snumeff tne caras himself to a drink. Ej K rtL-j s»t. | '[: 1 6 ,7 ■ wff5 Pj 1W OONBEQTJENOES. C V.'CD-n» i . ■ i ' •'«••••• . C KLf$ M,'8HELOON, \ 1 l/trfou o/PW&p Strong **afcom Jtte. \ TDurjtin bh;"V'-iitk t' suo. J g 1':6 D1' 7 -,: the father I ought to have been. 1 have lived a very selfish, useless life. I haye only seven more days to live. God has spoken to me. I am"— you want George and me to leave college?"revolving In his mind as be went along plans for his future happiness and ? comfort. "I'll deed him the place where he ' ■ e," said the first speaker, "your sister BeSs Ik getting to be a beauty. Introduce me, will you?" "Certainly not, my boy. What would be gained by that? I want you to keep right on Just as If I were going to live 60 years more." n.» lit idJ Mt "No, I wonlt," said George shortly. He had been lqsing all the evening, jmd he felt nervous and Irritable. He broke off suddenly, and, sobbing as only a strong man can, he drew his wl/et toward him and caressed her, while Bess crept up and put her arms about her father's neck. lives and arrange it In some way so that be won't have to go to the hospital or come on the county when his poor wife Is gone. It will be the best 1 I can do for him. Poor fellow! What • a shame I did not come down last nlghtl Ana nls wire a nopeiess invalid and the oldest chfld only 4 years old, Mary said!" j He was surprised as be drew near the house to see a group of men standing there outside and talking together earnestly. As Mr. Hardy came up they stood aside to let'him peas, but were barely clviL George did not say anything. He looked at bis father as If he doubted his sanity. "Ah! We are too bad, eh?" "Well, jroo are the bearer of bad news tonight, Mary. What's the mati ter with everybody? I suppose the cook wants more pay." . i ii :. i Mrs. Hardy replied quietly: "Her. sister Is dying. And do yon know I ba- Heve I have oerer given the girl credit tor much feeling. She always seemed to lack there, though she Is cervhe most faithful- and efficient we ever had in the house. She Just after Mr. Burns left and own, crying bitterly. It seems . Is married to one of the railnen bare In town and has been with consumption for  She is very poor, and a Urge George made some fierce reply, and the other fellow struck him. Instantly George sprang to his feet, and a fight took place. Mr. Hardy could not bear It any longer. He thought he broke away from the scene by the exercise of a great determination and next found himself looking into his own home. It seemed to him It was an evening when be and ail the children had gone out, and Mrs. Hardy sat alone, looking Into the fire as she had been looking before he fell asleep. She was thinking, and her thoughts were like burning coals as they fell into Mr. Hardy's heart and scorched him as not any scene, not even the last, had done. The terrible suspicion shot Mrs.' Hardy's mind that her husband was insane. The children were terrified. Only Alice seemed to catch the reflection of her mother's thought. At the same time Mr. Hardy seemed to feel the suspicion held by them. His father noticed the look, and a terrible wave of anguish swept over him as he recalled the part of his vision in which he had seen his oldest son in the gambling room. Again the prayer he had been silently praying all the morning went up out of his heart, "Almighty God, show me bow to use the seven days most wisely.""No," he said as if in answer to a spoken charge, "I am not Insane. I uever was more calm. I am in possession of all my faculties. But I have looked into the Face of Eternity this night, and I know, I know, that In seven days God will require my soul. Mary," he turned to his wife with the most beseeching cry, "Mary, do you believe me?" to *h tainly came k broke d her siftei roftd »- -- tiling month*. at the chess olub and had a ,-od.Jttae with his favorifcegame, for f f»i i 1 n D \^gm ie was a fine player and was engaged IJ , I Ir 1 in a series of games which vera Ming'; v *• IH ) I Ij played for the atate championship. jgg • 1 The superintendent of"the Sunday t MnTI — - ding school had lately timidly approached I l\\ 4 even- Mr. Hardy and asked him if he would BO— ( ) itjpL / M, and a not take a class of boys In-the Sunday Mb/Wrnm~' tight snow was falling, and his wife school. What, he take a class of bo- Jlj/ " had excused herself from going to ' the ' \ Uf " -"ch on that.recount. Mr. HaM; "Father," said Bess suddenly, "what will you do about Jim and Clara? Did you know they were engaged?" "Well, Stevens," Mr. Hardy Inquired of one of the men, recognizing1 him as one of the employees In the carting room, "how ia Scoville this morning?" "DeadP Mr. Hardy reeled as if struck in the [ breast wltha heavy blow. , ; "Dead, did yon say?" "He died about an hoar age," said one of the other men. "The surgeon was late in getting around, and after 1 the a ou'nation it was ascertained that 8 coy tile had received severe internal Injuries." "Was be conscious 7" Mr. Hardy ask•d-the question mechanically, but ail the while his mind was in a whirl of remorse. "Yes; np to the last moment" Mr. Hardy went up to the door and | knocked. A woman,, one of the neighbors, opened it and he went in. The l sight stunned him. The dead man bad been removed to a rear room, but his wife lay upon the very same ragged j lounge Mr. Hardy had seen in his dream. The surgeon was bending over her. The room was full of neighbor* The snrgeon suddenly arose and, turning about, spoke in a quiet but decided tone: "Npw, then, good people, Just go home, will you, for awhile? ' And suppose some of'you takfe'these'children t along with you. Yoa can't do anything , more now and your presence disturbs the woman ! Ah, MK Hardy I" he exclaimed, seeing the manager. "Ton here? This is a sad buslness. Gome, now, ladles, I must ask you to retire." Everybody went out except the surgeon, the poor woman's sister and Mr. Hardy. He drew the- surgeon over to the window and inquired concerning the particulars. Mr. Hardy had received a shock at the very first, and he trembled violently..t . - » .h "Well, you see,** explained the surgeon, "Bcotlflfe wai a dead man from the minute of the accident Nothing could have saved him. When the accident happened, I was down at Bayville attending the men who were Injured in the wreck last Saturday. I telegraphed that 1 would come at once. But there was a delay on the road, and I did not get here until 8 o'clock in the- morning. Meanwhile everything had been done that was possible. But nothing could save the poor fell&w. This shock win kill his wife. I doubt rlf she lives through the day." "What will be done with the children?" Mr. Hardy asked the question mechanically, again fueling the need of time to think out what was best to be done. The surgeon shrugg& his shoulders. He was accustomed to scenes of suffering and distress continually. "Orphans' home, I suppose," he replied laconically. A movement and a moan from the woman called him to her side, and Mr. Hardy, left alone, he thought a moment then stepped over to the surgeon and asked him If he could go into the other room and see the dead man. The surgeon nodded a sprprfsed assent and Mr. Hardy stepped Into the rear room and closed the door. He drew back the sheet from the face of the'man and looked down upon it Nothing In all his experience had ever moved him so deeply. The features of the dead man were fixed. It seemed to him, in an expression of despair. Mr. Hardy gazed steadily upon ll for half a minute; then, replacing the sheet he kneeled down by the side of the rude bed and prayed God for mercy.- "Bess!" said Clara passionately. Then she stopped suddenly, and, seeing her father's brow grow dark, she cowered, afraid of what was coming. "My husband!" Mrs. Hardy was saying to herself. "How long It Is since he gave me a caress, kissed me when he went to his work or laid his hand lovingly on my cheek as he used to do! How' brave and handsome and good I used to think him in the old Vermont days when we were struggling for our little home and his best thought was of the home and of the wife! But the years have changed him! Oh, yes; they have changed him bitterly! I wonder if he realizes my hunger for his affection! Of what value to me are all these baubles wealth brings compared with a loving look, a tender smile, an affectionate caress? She looked into her husband's face and saw there the old look. Reason, the noblest of all gifts, shone out of that noble face, now lighted up with the old love and standing on the brink of the other world. And Mrs. Hardy, looking her husband in the replied:a the Bsc- But Mr. Hardy looked at the world differently this morning. Twenty-four hours before he would have treated Bessie's remark as bo usually treated her surprising revelations of the secrets of the family. He would have laughed at It a little and sternly commanded Clara to break the engagement If there was one at once, for James Caxton was not at all the sort Of man Mr. Hardy wanted to hare come Into the family. He was poor, to begin with, and, more than all, his father had been the means of defeating Mr. Hardy In a municipal election where a place of Influence and honor was In dispute. Mr. Hardy had never forgotten or forgiven It. When be began to see his children Intimate with the Caxtons, he tried to forbid their going to the bouse, with the result already described. •venlng ton. ~ He vu A *n D i ii ) the : log "Yes, Robert; I believe you. £ou may be mistaken in tills Impression about the time left you to live, but you are not insane." He, influential, wealthy manager at one of the largest railroad shops In the world—ms give Ids time to the | teaching of a Sunday school classl He i excused himself on the score of lack of time, and the very same evening of hi* interview with tie superintendent be vent to the theater to hear a roaring farce ajnd after he reached home spent an hour la his favorite study of chen*- fstry U) his laboratory at the top of his house,I for Mr. Hardy was a man of considerable1 power as a student, and lie had an admirable physical constitution, capable of the most terrible •ftraio. Anything tijat gave blm pleasure he! was willing to work for. He was not lazy, but the idea of giving his came home cross _ . finding. "Catch me going to evening service, •gain! Only to people out, and It was a sheer waste of fuel and light. The sermon was one of the dullest I eV« heard.' \ believe Mr. Jones is growing too old for our church. We need a young man. nriW op vrttb the times. Be is everlastingly harping on the .necessity ef doing what we can In the present to save CWrr souls. To hear htm 1 talk yon would thhtf every man who mun't run*h»g,.rCWBCt toeave son]*, av- J »ry winter was a robber and an eaejar °° tfiti constiftD sociology and thinks tbartab«Mn«M oppressing the poor and that church members ought t# irmay «md follow more closely the tea&hffee' of Christ and be more brotherly and neighborly to their fellow jne£ Bail '1 am sick of the whole I shall withdraw my pledge jo the salary if the present ityle of preaching continues." »Sh«-text ef the alrmoa tb» "O God, I thank thee for that!" cried Mr. Hardy. Often durlqg the most remarkable week he ever lived Mr. Hardy reposed in that Implicit belief of his wife In his sanity. "Oh, Robert, Robert! Coine back to me, for I am so lonely, so lonely! Would to God all our riches might be taken from us and all our position in society be. lost to us, for I am fast losing my love for him who Is my husband 1 Great and long suffering and forgiving God, help me! I feel wicked sometimes. I cannot bear this kind of a life. It Is killing me. It is robbing me of all that life contains that is sweet and true. Oh, Father of Mercies, for Jesus' sake do not let me grow insane or without belief! Oh, Robert, Robert, my lover, my husband! I will; I will love you!" And Mrs. Hardy fell on her knees by the side of the couch and burled her face in its cushions and sobbed and prayed. There was a pause. Then Mr. Hardy asked George to bring the Bible. He then read from John's gospel that matchless prayer of Christ in the seventeenth chapter, and then kneeling down he prayed as he had never prayed before that In the week allotted him to live he might know how to bless the world and serve his Master beat. And when he arose and looked about upon his wife and children It was with the look of one who has been Into the very presence chamber of the only living God. At the same moment, so fast had the time gone In the excitement, the clock upon the mantel struck the hour of midnight, and the first of Robert Hardy's seven days had begun. Mr. Hardy looked at Clara and said very tenderly: "Clara, we must have a good talk about this. You know your father loves you and wants you to be happy, and"— Mr. Hardy stopped In hiB emotion, and Clara burst Into team and left the table. •personal time and service and talents to bless the world bad no place in his mladi And so as he lay on the lounge that evening and listened to his wife's plain et&tefuent concerning his selfishness he had bo Intention to give up a single thing that gratified his tastes and fed his pglfie., „ x After a sHeae* last about long mongh for some one to give the explajnst given, Mrs. Hardy said , ; coldly, as If It •were a matte: indifference to her: * " Burns, the were out" .., • v. -■ What did be want?" said four of the men In the cast roo» were severely Injured thli — by the bursting of one of thC Md tb* entire force had qnlC .» —id gone home." "C6uldfi*t Burhs supply the place oi •njured men ? He knows where tbC WhV i '/'J ..j ' ' was what be came to see yoi tie said he. needed further dl The men flatly refused fa aother minute and went out li i body. I don't blame them mueb Robert, don't yon believe Ood will pun lah you for keeping the shops open on liny Sunday?" "Nonsense, Mary," replied Mr. Efar dy. Yet there was a shadow of un easiness in his tone. ".The work hai got to go on. Jt la a work of necessity Railroads are public servants; the: can't rest' Sundays." "Come," cried Mr. Hardy after a moment, during which no one seemed inclined to speak, "let us ask God to give us all wisdom at this time." George made a motion as if to go out. "My son," called Mr. Hardy after him gently, "won't you stay with the rest of us?" Suddenly the whole scene changed, and Mr. Hardy, who had stretched out his arms to comfort his wife as in the old days when love was young, felt himself carried by an irresistible power up away from the earth, past the stars and planets and suns and satellites that blazed like gems in space; on, on, for what seemed to him like ages of time, until even the thought of time grew Indistinct; on and up and into the presence of the most mighty Face he had ever looked Into. It was the Face of Eternity. On its brow was written in words of blazing light the one word "Now." And as he looked Into that" calm, awful Face and read that awful word Mr. Hardy felt bis soul crumble within him. When the Face spoke, it was the speech of a thonsand oceans heaved by a million tempests, yet through the terror of It ran a thread of music—a still sweet sound Uke everlasting love—as If angels sang somewhere a divine accompaniment And the Face said: gightr ftffced Mm. „ * f'Oh, Some- nation "y ptng about 'This night thy stmF shall speaking he demanded' or words like that. I- of indiffe mt WMn attempt to'Wfttf ' ''Mr. 1 folks Into keaVen,'* while yoi "It woald take a good many sermons "He die' toscamjiw. ltfihert." "He"Yes; more than two a week," replied lag to. Mr. Hardy, with a dry langh. He drew afternoon off threw himself' rfetorti. down do, the lbonge In front of the work1 anc open dr8 girlA?" ' ' '{hAilce \$ op stair* reining the tnpm- the !ng paper. Ctora*sMfclie» w«atCo?#r extras fo call op the Oaxtons." i "Tin !,H»W did thfey happen to gCr over about there T1 'tectlons, i Mrs. Hardy hesitated. Finally she work p' CHAPTER IH. George sat down -with a shamefaced look, Alice and Clara came back, and Mr. Hardy read that famous sixth chapter of Epheslans, beginning "Children, obey your parents' in the Lord." Then In a brief but earnest prayer he asked God's help and blessing on all When Mr. Hardy woke on the morning of the first of the seven days left him to live, he wa& on the point of getting ready for his day's business, as usual, when the memory of his dream flashed upon him, and he was appalled to decide what he should do first. Breakfast was generally a hurried and silent meal with him. The children usually came straggling down at irregular Intervals, and it was very rare that the family all sat down together. This morning Mr. Hardy waited until all had appeared, and while they were eating he held a family council. foreman, called His wife was evidently In great excitement and anxiety, and yet the love and tenderness she felt coming back to her from her husband gave hefr face a look of beauty that had been a stranger to It for years. •aid, "Jamea-eame over and invited them." v "And tbey know t hare forbidden tbem to have anything to do with the Gaxtons! Wb6fl they come tn, I irlfl let them |inow I ipaaa what J say. It is vijry straage the girls do not appear to understand that." * -D■ W: Hardy from the lounge and walked across the rootu, then earn* back and lay down again and from his recumbent posltkm poked the i to* savagely with the abovvt. n Mrs. Hardy bit her lips and seemed on the point of replying, but said nothing. * 1 ' At lagt Ur. pardy asked, "Where are "Willi# getting out hts lessoqs for The children were affected by their father's remarkable change in various ways. George was sullen and silent. Will looked thoughtful and troubled. Alice, a girl of very strong and decided opinions and character, greeted her father with a kiss and seemed to understand the new relations he now sustained to them all. Clara appeared terrified. as if death had already come Into the bouse, and several times she broke down, crying at the table, and finally went away Into the sitting room. Bess sat next to her father, as she always did, and was the most cheerful of all, taking a very calm and philosophical view of the situation, so that Mr. Hardy smiled once or twice as she gave her advice. "Ohlld of humanity, you have neglected and despised me for 50 years. You have lived for yourself. You have been careless and thoughtless of the world's great needs. The time of your redemption Is short. It has been granted you by him who rules the world that yon should have but seven more days to live upon the earth—seven days to help redeem your soul from everlasting shame and death. Mortal, see to ft that thou usest the precious time like those who toll for Jewels In the mine beneath the sea. I who speak unto thee am Eternity." "Tbeii when God tells the world that Jt must not work on Sundays he does not mean railroad men? The fourth commandment ought to read: Remember the Sabbath day and keep It holy, except all ye men who work for railroads. Ye haven't any Sunday.' " He kissed Ms wife terser'; ■, and she clung to him, cubing, the day and rose to face It, the great burden of bis respoEs.'billty beginning to rest upon him for the first time. He sat down for a moment by his wife and kissed her, putting his arms about her, while Bess climlad up on the side of the couch, and the boys stood Irresolute and wondering. Any outward mark of affection was so unusual on the part of their father that they felt awkward In the presence of It. Mrs. .Hardy was almost overcome. "Mary, I didn't came from one sermon to listen to another. You're worse than Mr. Jones." tomorrow up In bis room. George went dot about 8 o'clock. He didn't say £e was going." "It's a nice family. Ia there one night In the year, Mary, when all our children are at home?" • J'Almost aamany as there are when youare at home," retorted Mrs. Hardy, f'jphat with your Cdub and yoor lodge 4$a yqor scientific society and your fading circle and your directors' tuning the children see about as much of you as you them. How many nights In a week do you give to us, Robert? Do you think It is strange that the clilfdfreh go Outside for theil' amusements? Our home"—Mrs. Hardy paused and looked around a* the costly Interior of thea room where the two }«re—"our homo U well furnished1 With everything but our own children.'? The man on the lounge was silent He felt the sh&rpfiess of the thrust made by hla wife -and knew it was too true to be denied. But Mr.Hardy wws, above all things else, selfish. He had not the remotest Initio# of giving up his dub, or his scientific society or his frequent cCwy dinners with business men down town because his wife spent fKD many lonely, deserted evenings at hOrte atod fcecause Ids chflfiren weretalmost strangers to Mm. But it annoyed him, as a respectable citizen, to have i his children making acquaintance* that ! he did not approve, and It grated on his old fajhlflpqil, inherited New England Ideas that nls boys and girls should j be away'from home so often In the Anfl; on Sunday evening'. The ma elm of Robert Hardy's life was Internet first." Aa long as be was not thwarted In his Own j pleasures tie was as good natured as the average .maa. ,C Ha provided* literally for? the household expenses, and Ma wife and children were supplied with i mofte?' travel as they requested |t. girt the minute be was crossed la b'ls owi» [Hans or fay one detoTanded of bim a7 service that compelled some self daMaiha bpcamp Wd, ill patured a?d haughty. Mr. Hardy half rose on the lounge and leaned on his elbow, looking at his wife with every mark of displeasure on his face, and yet as he looked somehow there stole Into his thought the memory of the old New England home back Is the Vermont hills and the vision of that quiet-little country village where Mary and he had been brought up together- He seemed to see the old meeting bouse on the hill, at the end of a long, elm shaded street that straggled through the village, and he saw himself again as be began to fall in lore with Mary, the beauty of the village, and he bad a vision of one Sunday when, walking back from church by Mary's a Hie, Le it Then Robert Hardy thought he tell upon his face before that awful Face and begged In bitterest terror for a longer lease of life. Mr. Hardy was pale, but calm. The Impression of the night before was evidently deepening with him. It would have been absurd to call him Insane. His wife was obliged to confess to herself that he had never appeared more sound in Judgment and calm in speech. He was naturally a man of very strong wilL Ills passions, as we have already seen, were under control. Never In all his life had he felt so self contained, so free from nervousness, so capable of sustained effort But the one great thought that filled his mind was the thought of the shortness of the time. "Seven days! Why, It will be but seven Bwlft seconds to redeem my past! Seven days! It will be a nothing in the marking of tlmel O mighty Power, grant me longer! Seven weeks 1 Seven years! And I will live for thee as never mortal yet lived!" "O Lord," he groaned In his remorse, "lay Dot the death of this man to my charger' Yet, even as h®. prayed, he could not drive back the thought which chased across the prayer: "1 am this man's murderer. I issued the order compelling the Sunday work. I refused a week ago to Inspect the retorts which were declared unsafe, on the ground that it was not my business. 1 com* pelled this man to work under the fear of losing his place If h» refused to work. 1 compelled him to work on the one day In which God has commanded all men to rest. 1, a Christian by profession; a member of the church, a man of means—I put this man In deadly peril upon a Sunday In order' that more money ihight be made and more human selfishness might be gratified. I did it And this man once saved, my life.. I am his murderer, and no murderer shall inherit the kingdom of God." So the wretched man prayed there by the side of that cold body. Yet the world today goes on with men In high placet who have It In their power to change the conditions that exact Sunday labor from thousands of weary men and drive the commerce of the world across the continent at the coat of that priceless thing, the soul of man. In order that the owners of railroad Btock and the men who get their salaried living from It may have mors money. What! Ia It not true that every Sunday In this land of Christian homes and hearts many and many a well fed, sleek, self satisfied, well dressed man, with a high salary and well established social position, with a luxurious home and money in the bank, goes to church "fend sits down in a softly cushioned pew to listen to the preaching of the gospel, while within bearing distance of the services an express train or a freight thunders by upon the roadl which declares the dividends that "Oh, Robert, I cannot bear it! Surely it was nothing more than a dream. It couldn't have been anything more. You are not going to be called away from us so soon." And Robert Hardy sobbed and held his arms beseechingly up toward that most resplendent Face. And as he thus stretched out his arms the Face bent down toward bis, and he thought A smile of pity gleamed upon It, and be hoped that tpore time would be granted him: and then, as It came nearer, he suddenly awoke, and there was bla own wife bending over blm, and a tear from her face fell upon his own as she said: "Mary, I would to God that I had seven years to atone for my neglect and selfishness toward you alone. But I am certain that God has granted me but seven days. 1 must act, God help me! Boys, you will be late. We will all be at borne this evening. Alice, care for your mother and cheer her up. You are a good girl and"— "Almighty God," was his prayer, "show me how to use these seven days In the wisest and best manner." his wife, it Seemed to biu* that a preath of the meadow just beyond Squire Hazen's plate came into the room Just as It Was Wafted up to blm when Mary turned and the happy word that made that day the gladdest, proudest day be had ever known. What, memories of the old times! What! "Robert, what will you do today?" asked Mrs. Hardy. "She doesn't need, any help, does •bar Inquired Will innooently. And, going aver where Clara lay with her face hM In the pillow of a large couch, Will tried t6 pull the pillow out from under her bead. "Robert! Robert!" "I have boon thinking, dear, and I believe my first duty Is to God. We have not bad morning worship together for a long time. After we have knelt as a family in prayer to, him 1 believe he will give me wisdom to know what I ought to do." Mr. Hardy sat up confused and trembling. Then he clasped his wife to him and kisaed her as he used to do. And then to her great amazement he related to her in a low tone the dream he had Just had. Mrs. Hardy listened in the most undisguised astonishment. But what followed filled her heart with fear. Again Mr. Hardy broke down as he thought of tbe many years he had practically ignored this brave, strong, uncomplaining nature in his own house, and remorse tore him fiercely as he recalled how he had practically discouraged tbe poor girl's ambitious efforts to make her way aa an artist, not on account of the expense, for Mr. Hardy was not a niggard in that respect, but because he bad a false idea concerning the profession. He looked at the girl now as she limped acrdss the floor to her mother, her pale, intellectual face brightened by her love and her eyes shining with tears at her father's unusual praise. "Oi God," was the Inner cry of Mr. Hardy's heart, "what have I not neglected when 1 had It In my power to create so much happiness!" Qe seemed to come to himself and stared around Into the fire as If wondering where ft? was, and he did pot Me the ttear thit rolled dowu his wife's cheek and fell upon her two hand4 clasped In her lap. She arose and went ferer to the piano, which stood In thd shadow, and, sitting down with her back to her husband, she played fragments of mualc nervously. Mr. Hardy Uy down on the lounge again. Aftet D while Mrs. Hardy wheeled about' sty the piano stool and aal'di love for him wholly, but she Was fast One of the men spoke In 4 w Waper to losing the beat part of it, love which has Ua daily source In an Inborn respect When respect is gone. Jove is not long In following after, "D • She sat thus for half an hour and waa at last aroused by the two girls, Clara and Bess, coming In. They were ianghlng and talking together and had evidently parted with some ofe at the door. Mrs. Hardy went qpt Into the hallway. "Hush, girls, your father Is asleep! You know bow be feels to be awakened suddenly by noise. But he has been waiting up for"you." "Then 1 guess we'll go up stairs without bidding him good night," said Clara abruptly- "JL don't want to be lectured about going over to the Cartons',"K|n • * "Have you been to see Mr. Hardy?" "Yes, but be was at church. I left wford about the accident." "At church! So even the devil somet}nfes goes to church. What for, 1 wonde£? Will he be here, think?" "Don't know," replied Mr. Burpq wtiy'■'Do you mind when he"—pointing to Scovllle—"saved Mr. Hardy's life?" "Remember It well enough; was standing close by." "What'll be done with the children when Scovllle goes, eh 7" "Don't know." Just then the surgeon came in, and preparations were rapidly made for the operation. The last that Mr. Hardy heard was the shriek of the poor wife as she struggled to her foot and fell In a fit across the tioor where two of the youngest children clung terrified to her dress, and the father cried opt, tears ol me Alont,. Will. JL don't _,teelij well/'' mid 4 Ruffled Voice from the | pillow. | "I think father ought to stay at home with us all the tltpe," said Bess. "fipbert," said Mrs. Hardy, who could not comprehend the full meaning of the situation much better than little Bess, "will you give up your business? now can you attend to it? Will you have the strength and the patience while laboring under this im presslon ?" "Pshaw! you're foolingr "Mary," said her husbaqtj with, the utmost solemnity, 4'I cannot regard this as a dream alone. I have awakened with the firm conviction that 1 have only seven days left to live. I feel that God has spoken to me, and I have only seven days more to do my work in this world." 'Vo, I'm notr Let me alone,* "Ceme here, or I read you* sentence Jkir yoa," caned Alice. And Will reluctantly withdrew, for he knetfr; from experience tfot Alice would keep hep word. ''Robert don't you think you had better go over and see Mr. Burns about the men who were hurt?" - "All right. Now, go ahead; not too fast Here! Wait a minute! Let me writf her down. I don't intend to miss tomorrow If I can hejp it And ojd Romulus will call -me up on this very passage, I know. Be pjnst like him, though, to strike me en the review.'-' ' lie door opened, and Is came George, the elder boy and the oldest of the grpup of Children. He up hat and coat and strolled Into the Boom. — - - - mother?* /ft u t , j "She's fit the other room," answered Besq. "Father's been asleep, and Blether afraid he was going to have a fever." "I have already thought over that. Yes; I believe I ought to go right on I don't see what would be gained by severing my connection with the com pany." "Oh, Robert, it was only a dream!" "No; It was more, Mary. You know \ anf not imaginative or superstitious In the least You know I never dream. And this was something else. I shall die out of this world a week from tonight Are the children here? Call them in." "Why, what can F do about it? The .company's doctor will see to them. I should only be In the way. Did Burns aay they were badly hurt?" "Will you tell the company you have only"— Mrs. Hanjy could not say the words, Tuey choted her. What wouid you do, Alice?" asked her father, turning to his oldest daugh ter, who, although a cripple, had more tliaa once revealed to the family great powers of Judgment and decision. The thought almost unnerved him, and for a moment he felt like sitting down to do nothing. But only for a moment He rose briskly, went out Into the hall and put on his overcoat and, coming back a moment, said: "1 am going down to see poor Scoville the first thing. 1 shall be so busy you must not look for me at lunch. But I will be back to 6 o'clock dinner. Goodby." Be kissed his wife tenderly, and she clung to him, sobbing. Then he kissed his daughters, a thing he had not done since they were babies, and' shook bands with the boys and marched out like one going to execution, something bright glistening in his own eyes. "One of them had his eyes put out and another will to lose Hth feet; I think he said bis name was Bcovllle," ; "What! Not Ward Scoville!" "fao; | wuttt tee you both aod,bave * little talk wUb you. Come In here." Mrs. Hardy drew the two girls Into the front room and pulled the curtains to- Mr. Hardy spoke In a tone of such calra conviction that Mrs. Hardy was tfUed with wonder and fear. She went to the curtain, and, as we have already recorded, she called the children into the other room. "I tbink Burn* aald that wa« the name." He. bad been » nember of the church at BSrttnfor 25 rears, one ot the, trustee* and a liberal giver. He prided, himself oh that fact. But so far as giving a uj o? hi a time pr personal service irta concerned,' he would as soon have thought of gtvtng all his property away to the first poor man he met. His minister had this last week written him an Mrnpat. Warm hearted letter, expressbig mb »lea#urp at the aervice Ue fed rendered »o many years as a Jrusiee and asking M ir if he ifoutt ngf come, to the Thursday evening meeting |h»t "we«k. and take some part. Whatever he chose, to help along. It wts a Mason of anxious interest among many* In the chorcb, and the pastor earnestly destred the presence ana help of alf the members. Koam flau reau cne letter inrougn hastily and smiled a little scornfully. WhaJ! tie take part in a prayer meetlog! Hp couldn't remember when he bad attended one. They were too dull tor him.' He wondered at Mr. Jones for writing such a letter and almost felt as -though he had been Impertinent. He threw the letter In the waste aasfrgt and did not PT"P pnVw?r It .9" pould not have been guilty of such t ack of courtesy In retfird to a jDpsj Dess letter, bnt a letter from his minis gether over-the arch opening into the ajgony and despair nyming down bih Mr. Hardy rose from the lounge, then lay down again. "Oh, well, I can go there the first thing In the morning. I can't do anything now," he muttered. ; room where Mr. Hardy lay. "Now tell face, MMy God, what a hell this world "I would not say anything to the company about It," replied Alice finally. me, girls, why did your father forbid your going over, to tbe Caxtons' ? I did Is?' The next scene was a room where Mr. Hardy gazed upon his children With a look they had not seen upon his face for years. Briefly but calmly he related his experience, omitting the de- "That is the way I feel," said Mr Hardy with a nod of approval. "They would not understand it. My successor In the office will be young Wellman, In all probability, and he Is perfectly com petent to carry on the work. I feel atD if the matter were one that belonged to the family. I shall, of course, arrange ■p.y business affairs with reference to the situation, and George can give me half a day for the details. But you know, Mary, I have always kept my business In such shape that In any case of accldeut or sudden death matters could easily be arranged. Thank God! 1 shall not have to take time for those matters that I ought to give to more serious and important duties." make that man's wealth possible? But there capje to (41 pernor? a picture of one day wnen he was Walking througb-the machine Shops and a heavy piece of tasting had broken from the end of a large hoisting derrick and would have fallen upon him and probfcbly killed him if tbla man Scovllle, at the time a workman In tbe mttphlpe department, bad not pulled1 him to one side at the danger of bis own life. Aa It was, Tn saving the life of the manager Scovllle was struck on the shoulder and rendered useless for work for four weeks. Mr. Hardy had raised bis wages and advanced him to a responsible position-in tbe casting room. Mr. Hardy was not a man without generos* Itjr and humane feeling, but as he lay on the lounge that evening and thought of the cold snow outside and tbe distance to the shop tenements he readily excused himself from going out to see the man wbo bad once saved bis life ft&d who now lay maimed for life. If not know until tonight Has it some thing to do wlrti Jatnes^' Neither of the glrla said anything for a minute. Then Bess, wbo was tbe "Hat's one of your stories," said George, who seined In a good natured mood. He Bat down and drew his little toward him and whispered to t»er: .-r.it-. ■■ . "Bay, Bess, I want some money everything appeared confused at first, but finally grew more distinct and ter rlble JS~!ts~ significance, and the flrsi person Mfr. Hardy recognised wmm Mn On those trains are groups of coal begrimed human beings who never go Inside a church, who never speak the name of God or Christ except in an younger of the two and famous fdt startling the family vfrftb very sensational remarks, replied. "James and Clam are engaged, and they are going to be parried totogrroTjv,''- Mrs. Hardy locked at Clara, and {hp girl grew very red lq tbe face, and then, to the surprise of her mother and Bess, she burpt out.lOto * viZ\:'a'i flt'of crying. Mrs. Hardy gathered her Into her arms as In tbe* olden times when she was a little child and soothed her into quietness. oldest boy, George, In company with a group of young men engaged in—what: He rubbed his ♦yes and stared painful ly. Yes;; they gambling. So h£re was Geo/|& spent all his money and Bessie's toil'* Noflilhg that the miserable fati.— seen so far cut him to the quick quite so sharply as this. lit had prided himself on his own freedom from vices »nd had an honest horror of them, tot Mr. Hardy | UU J-L j _ " oath, who lead lives that are aa destljoxj uonttnned on page foor.  *t 1 ■ vlfe  - r LUMBAGO, 1 I Rheumatism, Backache, etc. I "B I DR.RKHTBR'SWorfaMteMWMd " I "ANCHOR" I 4 I PAIN EXPELLER. | - so ■ , ■ ■ One wen-known finn'» letteront of many; I "he |C? fhilad8lph«&Dtfv .24ftjaML*C|| Z I I such ■ who Know this remedy thrdliqK ■ and I Jts popularity in their native I one I 25c. iad fOc. at ail drnggUts or tnroagn I with V.AC.BMtor«Ck,«UPMriSl, IfnrInkfl on |L 36 HI8HEST AWARDS. i| Ah, ye fathers and husbands, who are tolling for the dear ones "Awfully?" •Whispered Bess. ■'igep; for a special reason. Do you think yon oould let we have a little?" homd, how ruatvj of you have gro tlons of home that your own so unaccustomed to the tender off "Why, of course. .Ypm, caa Uava - J 4.-CUUl 9 allowance. But why don't you ask father D •-»- C would almost faint and think so thing was going to happen to yo you kissed lier goodby when you weu away to your work to the mom!'- "No; I have asked him too much lately. He refused blank ,la?t time. I didn't like l]t the way he spoke." was uota monster of Iniquity, only au Intensely selfish mail. Gambling, drink lng, impjbrity—all the physic*, viceswere to |lr. Hardy the lowest degrada tlon. been your faithful friend and lovei How do you know that she who these years and nursed you throuf peevish sickness and done a thou?" "Tell me al) about it, dear. I did not Ifnow you cared for James in that way." "Wall, you can have all mine," said Bea». whispering. George and she were *r«it friends, and there was not a thing that Bessie would not have done for her big brother, who Was her hero. What he wanted with so much money she never asked. It was true that Mr. Hardy, always a man of very methodical habits In a business way, had always arranged his affairs with reference to accidental re moval. Ills business as manager necessitated his being on the road a great deal, and he realized, as many railroad men do realize, the liability of sudden death. things every day for yog. withou much as a word of timhlcs or p on your part—how do you know "But I do," sobbed Clara. "And father guessed something and forbade us going there any more. But I didn't think he would mind it if Bess and; I went Just thhr one night 1 couldn't help it anyway. Mother, Isnt It right for people to love each other 7". , ♦"Tlsn't proper to talk about such things dfl-fiunday," said Bess solemnly. ♦The thought that his own son had fallen Injto this pit was terrible to him. But be was compelled to look and listen. Alt the young men were smoking, and beef and wine stood on a buffet at one side of the room and were plentifully partaken of. does not care for tbese demonstrate of affection? And If she does not. does It happen except through negl one thlnka It impossible that one man calling himself a Christian- could Tiey were still whlstDer1ngr toother, and] Clam tad Jnet risen to go up states, and ABce-and Will bad finished the translation, and Will was Just on the point of seelpg. how near be could come tq throwing the "Commentaries of Ctttar" Into an ornamental Japanese Jar serosa the room, when lira. Hardy wkrtod the eurUfc* «* the arch and ■"ft I ** • HI Gall It not a little thing. It Is of There was his own wife bending over Mm. tails of tlie vision and all mention of the scene where George had appeared, and then declared with a solemnity and lmpressiveness that could not be twisted: But such a thought had not had any Influence on his actions to make hlin less selfish. He thought, as all men do, that he should probably live right along after all; that death might take the engineer or couductor or fireman, bat would pass him by. It Is of the home where such little things that heaven Is made. b« thus Indifferent to another, then he does not know the power that selflsh' r \ of law «aa "I say, George," said a very flashily flresBed youth wbo was smoking that lnventioh of the devil, a cigarette, "your old man would nib his eyes to see you here, eh?' t '«  things are found that It can trul; *r-w*D- " new can ererdse over the action plying e |°H °ae supreme said, "Love Is master, and the evil "Claimr Mid Mr*. Hardy. "Why, you're only a child yet! Is It trtw that tonw'ti Why, he la only a boy r ' ' cannot find an entrance to blot his foul tread the sweetest thing -BahOLaadlanl&MKthe^Mnr "My dear f diet, I bare not lived NLl.JfePUr I bftTV not Utvp to you Mr. Bard; hurried down toward earth." SutiOtoij WU1 spoke vuD; "fatter. do vbttft WwCL SfiftYUk to' / » JHa ■