Gratia's Trials — page 215: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

206 GRATIA’S TRIALS. plunge into those cold waves, and the restless fever will be done forever! Oh, let me go—it is no kindness to hold me back !” But Sister Madeline put her arms resolutely about the strug- eling young girl, ‘“Nay,” she said; ‘‘] am a woman like yourself. I, too, have lived and suffered, but it is all past. Come with me.” «« Where ?” ‘<To a place where no one shall question or doubt you—to a home for the homeless, a refuge for those who have no hope left. Ido not ROW what has driven you to this extremity, but if guilt ‘‘Oh, it is not that !” Gratia answered, sobbing softly on the kind black-draped shoulder. ‘‘l am innocent—indeed, I am innocent. I have tried to do my best, but it is of no avail ; the whole world is leagued against me, and it were better far that I should die!” ‘‘VYou are not the first one who has said and thought so,” said Sister Madeline, greatly encouraged by the girl’s simple words; ‘‘and yet you, too, will learn in time how kindly the Father cares for us all. Come.” ‘But I do not know yet where you are taking me to.” ‘¢T am going to St Hildegarde’s Home, where I live.” ‘How did you come here?” The sister pointed to a knot of rude shanties at no great dis- tance, clinging, as it would appear, like lichens to the rock. ‘‘Do you see that little cabin to the right, with the stove- pipe chimney coming out of it?” she said. ‘‘There is death there. I have visited the house every day, but I shall visit it no more. Death has come at last. As I came out I saw you crouching by the river-side, and I hurried toward you, lest I should be too late.” Gratia resisted no longer, but rose and followed Sister Mad- eline, as she would have unquestioningly followed the beck- Eomicbooks.com -~