第17章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"THE STORY OF WAITSTILL BAXTER",免费读到尾

  \"I’mnohandatanyworkoutsidethehouse,\"sheobserved,asifreflecting。\"IcantruthfullysayI’magoodcook,andhaveagreatfacultyformakingalittlegoalongways。\"(Sheconsideredthisamaster—stroke,andinfactitwas;fortheDeacon’smouthabsolutelywateredatthisapparentlyunconsciouscomprehensionofhisdisposition。)\"ButI’mnohandatanychoresinthebarnorshed,\"shecontinued。\"Myfirsthusbandwouldneverallowmetodothatkindofwork。\"

  \"PerhapsIcouldgitaboytohelpout;I’vebeenkindo’

  thinkin’o’thatlately。WhatwageswouldyouexpectifIpaidaboyfortheroughwork?\"askedtheDeacontremulously。\"Well,totellthetruth,Idon’tquitefancytheideaoftakingwages。

  JudgeDickinsonwantsmetogotoAlfredandhousekeepforhim,andI’dnamedtwelvedollarsamonth。It’sgoodpay,andI

  haven’tsaid’No’;butmyrentissmallhere,I’mmyownmistress,andIdon’tfeellikegivingupmyprivileges。\"

  \"Twelvedollarsamonth!\"Hehadneverthoughtofapproachingthatsum;andhesawtheheapofunwasheddishesgrowingdaybyday,andthecreamsouringonthemilk—pans。Suddenlyanideasprangfull—bornintotheDeacon’smind(JedMorrill’s\"OldDriver\"musthavebeencloseathand!)。WouldJaneTillmanmarryhim?Nowomaninthethreevillageswouldbemoreobnoxioustohisdaughters;thatinitselfwasadistinctgain。Shewasafine,robustfigureofawomaninherearlyforties,andhethought,afterall,thatthehollow—chested,spindle—shankedkindweremoreex—pensivetofeed,onthewhole,thantheirbetter—paddedsisters。Hehadneverhadanydifficultyinmanagingwives,andthoughthimselfquiteequaltoonemorebout,evenatsixty—five,thoughhehadjustthefaintestsuspicionthatthehighcoloronMrs。Tillman’sprominentcheek—bones,thevigorshowninthecoarseblackhairandhandsomeeyebrows,mightmakethistaskalittlemoredifficultthanhispreviousones。

  Butthisfearvanishedalmostasquicklyasitappeared,forhekeptsayingtohimself:\"AjudgeoftheCountyCourtwantsherattwelvedollarsamonth;hadn’tIbetterbidhighan’gitsettled?

  \"Ifyou’dliketohaveahomeo’yourown’thoutpayin’rent,you’veonlygottosaythewordan’I’llmakeyouMis’Baxter,\"

  saidtheDeacon。\"There’llbenobodytointerferewithyou,an’ahandsomelegacyifIdiefirst;fornoneo’myfewsavin’sisgoin’tomydaughters,Icanpromiseyouthat!\"

  TheDeaconthrewoutthistemptingbaitadvisedly,foratthismomenthewouldhavepouredhishoardintothelapofanywomanwhowouldhelphimtoavengehisfanciedwrongs。

  Thiswasinformation,indeed!The\"fewsavings\"alludedtoamountedtosomethousands,JaneTillmanknew。Hadshenotbetterburnhershipsbehindher,taketherisks,andhavefaithinherownpowers?Shewasgettingalonginears,andhercharmsofpersonwerelesseningwitheverydaythatpassedoverherhead。

  IftheDeacon’squeerwaysgrewtooqueer,shethoughtanappealtothedoctorandtheministermightprovideawayofescapeandaneatlittleincometoboot;so,onthewhole,themarriage,thoughmuchagainsthernaturalinclinations,seemedtobeprovidentiallyarranged。

  Theinterviewthatsucceeded,haditbeenreportedverbatim,deservedtoberecordedinlocalhistory。DeaconBaxterhadmetinJaneTillmanafoemanmorethanworthyofhissteel。Shewasjustascraftyashe,andingeneralshipasmuchsuperiortohimasNapoleonBonapartetoCephasCole。Herknowledgeofandherexperienceswithmen,allveryhumble,itistrue,butdecidedlyvaried,enabledhertoplayoneveryweaknessofthisparticularoneshehadinhand,andatthesametimeskilfullytoavoidedalarminghim。

  Heretofore,thewomenwithwhomtheDeaconhadcomeincontacthadtimidlysteeredawayfromtherocksandreefsinhisnature,andhadbeentooignorantortooproudtolookamongthemforcertainsofterplacesthatwerelikelytobethere——sincemanisman,afterall,evenwhenheismadeonaverysmallpattern。

  IfJaneTillmanbecameMrs。Baxter,sheintendedtogetthewhiphandandkeepit;butnothingwasfurtherfromherintentionthantomaketheDeaconmiserableifshecouldhelpit。Thatwasnotherdisposition;andso,whenthedeludedmanleftherhouse,hehadmademoreconcessionsinasinglehourthaninalltheformeryearsofhislife。

  Hisfuturespousewastowriteoutalittlepaperforhissignature;justafriendlylittlepapertobekeptquiteprivateandconfidentialbetweenthemselves,statingthatshewastodonoworkoutsideofthehouse;thatherpensionwastobeherown;

  thatshewastohavefivedollarsincashonthefirstofeverymonthinlieuofwages;andthatineaseofhisdeathoccurringfirstshewastohaveathirdofhisestate,andthewholeofitifatthetimeofhisdeceasehewasstillpleasedwithhisbargain。TheonlypointsinthiscontractthattheDeaconreallyunderstoodwerethathewaspayingonlyfivedollarsamonthforahousekeepertowhomajudgehadofferedtwelve;that,ashehadexpectedtopayatleasteight,hecouldgetaboyfortheremainingthree,andsobenonetheworseinpocket;also,thatifhecouldkeephisdaughtersfromgettinghismoney,hedidn’tcareahangwhohadit,ashehatedthewholehumanracewithentireimpartiality。IfJaneTillmandidn’tbehaveherself,hehadpleasingvisionsofconvertingmostofhisfortuneintocashandhavingitdroppedoffthebridgesomedarknight,whenthedoctorhadgivenhimupandprovedtohissatisfactionthatdeathwouldoccurinthenearfuture。

  Allthisbeingharmoniouslysettled,theDeacondroveaway,andcausedtheannouncementofhisimmediatemarriagetobeposteddirectlybelowthatofWaitstillandIvoryBoynton。

  \"Mightaswellhaveallthefatinthefiretoonce,\"hechuckled。\"Therewon’tbeanyhouse—workdoneinthispartofthecountyforaweektocome。Ifweshouldhavemoresnow,nobody’llhavetodoanyshovellin’,forthewomen—folks’llkeepallthepathsinthevillagetroddownfromdoortodoor,travellin’

  roundwiththenews。\"

  A\"spitematch,\"thecommunityingeneralcalledtheDeacon’smarriage;andmanyaman,andmanyawoman,too,regardingtheamazingpublishingnoticeintheframeupatthemeeting—house,feltthatinJaneTillmanDeaconBaxterhadmethisWaterloo。

  \"She’splentygoodenoughforhim,\"saidAuntAbbyCole,\"thoughIknowthat’saterriblepoorcompliment。Ifshethinksshe’lleverbreakintos’cietyhereattheFalls,she’llfindherselfmistaken!It’samysterytomewhythepoordeludedmaneverdoneit;butain’titwonderfultheingenuitytheLordshowsinpunishin’sinners?Icouldn’t’a’thoughtoutsuchagoodcomeuppancemyselfforDeaconBaxter,asmarryin’JaneTillman!

  Thethingthattroublesmemost,isthinkin’howtickledtheBaptists’11betogitherouto’theirmeetin’an’intoourn!\"

  XXXV

  TWOHEAVENS

  ATtheverymomentthatDeaconBaxterwasIstartingoutonhisquestforahousekeeper,PattyandMarkdroveintotheMasondooryardandthesistersflewintoeachother’sarms。ThedressthatMarkhadboughtforPattywastheusualchartingandunsuitableofferingofaman’sspontaneousaffection,beingofdarkvioletclothwithawaddedcapelinedwithsatin。Alittlebrimmedhatofvioletvelvettiedunderherchinwithsilkribbonscompletedthecostume,andbeforetheyouthfulbrideandgroomhadlefttheancestraldoorMrs。Wilsonhadhungherownerminevictorine(theenvyofallEdgewood)aroundPatty’sneckandputhererminewillowmuffintohernewdaughter’shands;

  thusshewasasdazzlingapersonage,andasimproperlydressedforthejourney,asshecouldwellbe。

  Waitstill,inherplainlinsey—woolsey,wasentrancedwithPatty’sbeautyandelegance,andthetwogirlshadafewminutesofsisterlytalk,ofinterchangeofradianthopesandconfidencesbeforeMarktorethemapart,theircheekswetwithhappytears。

  AstheMasonhousefadedfromview,Pattyhavingwavedhermuffuntilthelastmoment,turnedinherseatandsaid:——

  \"Mark,dear,doyouthinkyourfatherwouldcareifIspentthetwenty—dollargold—piecehegaveme,forWaitstill?Shewillbemarriedinafortnight,andifmyfatherdoesnotgiveherthefewthingssheownsshewillgotoherhusbandmoreill—providedeventhanIwas。Ihavesomuch,dearMark,andshesolittle。\"

  \"It’syourownwedding—presenttouseasyouwish,\"Markanswered,\"andit’sexactlylikeyoutogiveitaway。Goaheadandspenditifyouwantto;Icanalwaysearnenoughtokeepyou,withoutanybody’shelp!\"andMark,aftercrackingthewhipvaingloriously,kissedhiswifejustoverthevioletribbons,andwithsleigh—bellsjinglingtheyspedoverthesnowtowardswhatseemedParadisetothem,theNewHampshirevillagewheretheyhadbeenmarriedandwhereSoafewdayslater,Waitstillreceivedagreatparcelwhichrelievedherofmanyfeminineanxietiesandshebegantoshapeandcutandstitchduringallthehoursshehadtoherself。Theywerenotmany,foreverydayshetrudgedtotheBoyntonfarmandbeganwithyouthfulenthusiasmthehouseholdtasksthatweresosoontobehersbyright。

  \"Don’twastetoomuchtimeandstrengthhere,mydearest,\"saidIvory。\"DoyousupposeforamomentIshallkeepyoulongonthislonelyfarm?IamreadyforadmissiontotheBarorIamfittedtoteachinthebestschoolinNewEngland。Nothinghasheldmeherebutmymother,andinherpresentconditionofmindwecansafelytakeheranywhere。Wewillneverlivewheretherearesomanymemoriesandassociationstosaddenandhamperus,butgowherethebestopportunityoffers,andassoonasmaybe。Mywifewillbeapearlofgreatprice,\"headdedfondly,andIintendtoprovidearightsettingforher!\"

  Thiswasallsaidinaglowofloveandjoy,prideandambition,asIvorypacedupanddownbeforetheliving—roomfireplacewhileWaitstillwashangingthefreshlylaunderedcurtains。

  Ivorywasright;WaitstillBaxterwas,indeed,ajewelofawoman。Shehadlittleknowledge,butmuchwisdom,andafterall,knowledgestandsfortheleavesonatreeandwisdomforthefruit。Therewasinfiniterichnessinthegirl,arichnessthathadbeengrowingandripeningthroughtheyearsthatshethoughtsograyandwasted。Thefewbookssheownedandlovedhadgenerallylainunopened,itistrue,uponherbedroomtable,andsheheldherselfashavingfartoolittlelearningtobeaworthycompanionforIvoryBoynton;butallthebeautyandcheeracomfortthatcouldeverbepressedintothearidlifeoftheBaxterhouseholdhadcomefromWaitstill’sheart,andthathearthadgrowninwarmthandplentyyearbyyear。

  Thoselonelytasks,toohardforagirl’shands,thoseunrewardeddrudgeries,thosedaysoffaithfullaborinandoutofdoors,thoseeveningsofself—sacrificeoverthemending—basket;thequietavoidanceofallthatmightvexherfather’scrustytemper,herpatiencewithhismiserlyexactions;thehourlyholdingbackofthehastyword,——allthesehadplayedtheirpart;allthesehadbeensomehowweldedintoastrong,sunny,steady,life—wisdom,thereisnobetternameforit;andsoshehadunconsciouslythebestofallharveststobringasdowertoahusbandwhowasworthyofher。Ivory’sstrengthcalledtohersandansweredit,justashisgreatneedawokesuchapowerofhelpfulnessinherasshedidnotknowshepossessed。Shelovedtheman,butshelovedthetaskthatbeckonedher,too。Thevisionofitwaslikethebreathofwindfromahill—top,puttingsaltandsavorintothenewlifethatopenedbeforeher。

  Thesewerequietlyhappydaysatthefarm,forMrs。Boyntontookanew,iftransient,holduponlifethatdeceivedeventhedoctor。RodmanwasnearlyasardentaloverasIvory,hoveringaboutWaitsillandexclaiming,\"Youneverstaytosupperandit’ssolonesomeeveningswithoutyou!WillitneverbetimeforyoutocomeandEvewithus,Waitydear?Thedayscrawlsoslowly!\"AtwhichIvorywouldlaugh,pushhimawayanddrawWaitstillnearertohisownside,saying:\"Ifyouareinahurry,youyoungcormorant,whatdoyouthinkofme?\"AndWaitstillwouldlookfromonetotheotherandblushattheheavenoflovethatsurroundedheroneveryside。

  \"Ibelieveyouarelongingtobeginonmycooking,youtwobiggreedyboys!\"shesaidteasingly。\"WhatshallwehaveforNewYear’sdinner,Rod?Doyoulikeaturkey,roastedbrownandcrispy,withgibletgravyandcranberryjelly?Doyoufancyanappledumplingafterwards,——anappledumplingwithpotatocrust,——orwillyouhaveasuetpuddingwithfoamysauce?\"

  \"Stop,Waitstill!\"criedIvory。\"Don’tputhopeintousuntilyouarereadytosatisfyit;wecan’tbearit!\"

  \"AndIhaveaboxofgoodiesfrommyowngardensafelystowedawayinUncleBart’sshop,\"Waitstillwentonmischievously。

  \"TheyweretobesoldinPortland,butIthinkthey’llhavetobemywedding—presenttomyhusband,thoughaverystrangeone,indeed!Therearepeachesfloatinginsweetsyrup;therearetumblersofquincejelly;therearejarsoftomatoandcitronpreserves,andforsupperyoushalleatthemwithbiscuitsaslightasfeathersandwhiteassnowdrifts。\"

  \"Wecanneverwaittwomoredays,Rod;letuskidnapher!Letustaketheoldbob—sledandrunovertoNewHampshirewhereonecanbemarriedtheminuteonefeelslikeit。Wecoulddoitbetweensunriseandmoonriseandbeathomeforalatesupper。Wouldshebetootiredtobakethebiscuitsforus,doyouthink?Whatdoyousay,Rod,willyoubebestman?\"Andtherewouldbeyouthful,unaccustomedlaughterfloatingoutfromthekitchenorliving—room,bringingasmileofcontenttoLoisBoynton’sfaceasshelayproppedupinbedwithheropenBiblebesideher。\"Hebindsupthebroken—hearted,\"shewhisperedtoherself。\"Hegivesuntothemagarlandforashes;theoilofjoyformourning;thegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness。\"

  Thequietweddingwasover。Therehadbeenneitherfeasting,norfinery,norpresents,norbridaljourney;onlyahome—comingthatmeantdeepandsacredajoy,asferventgratitudeasanyfourheartsevercontainedinalltheworld。Butthelaughterceased,thoughthehappinessflowedsilentlyunderneath,almostforgotteninthesuddensorrowthatovercamethem,foritfelloutthatLoisBoyntonhadonlywaited,asitwere,forthemarriage,andcouldstaynolonger。

  \"……Therearetwoheavens……

  Bothmadeoflove,——one,inconceivableEv’nbytheother,sodivineitis;

  Theother,faronthissideofthestars,Bymencalledhome。\"

  Andthesetwoheavensmet,overatBoyntons’,duringthesecold,white,glisteningDecemberdays。

  LoisBoyntonfoundhersfirst。Afterawindymoonlitnightamorningdawnedinwhichahushseemedtobeontheearth。Thecattlehuddledtogetherinthefarmyardsandthefowlsshrankintotheirfeathers。Theskywasgray,andsuddenlythefirstwhiteheraldscamefloatingdownlikescoutsseekingforpathsandcamping—places。

  WaitstillturnedMrs。Boynton’sbedsothatshecouldlookoutofthewindow。Slopeafterslope,dazzlinginwhitecrust,roseoneuponanotherandvanishedastheyslippedawayintothedarkgreenofthepineforests。

  Then,\"……therefellfromouttheskiesAfeatherywhitenessoveralltheland;

  Astrange,soft,spotlesssomething,pureaslight。\"

  Itcouldnotbecalledastorm,fortherehadbeennowindsincesunrise,nowhirlingfury,nodrifting;onlyastill,steady,solemnfallofcrystalflakes,hourafterhour,hourafterhour。

  Mrs。Boynton’sBookofbookswasopenonthebedandherfingermarkedapassageinherfavoriteBible—poet。

  \"Hereitis,daughter,\"shewhispered。\"Ihavefoundit,inthesamechapterwherethemorningstarssingtogetherandthesonsofGodshoutforjoy。TheLordspeakstoJoboutofthewhirlwindandsays:’HASTTHOUENTEREDINTOTHETREASURESOFTHESNOW?OR

  HASTTHOUSEENTHETREASURESOFTHEHAIL?’Sitnearme,Waitstill,andlookoutonthehills。’HASTTHOUENTEREDINTOTHE

  TREASURESOFTHESNOW?’No,notyet,butpleaseGod,Ishall,andintomanyothertreasures,soon\";andsheclosedhereyes。

  Alldaylongtheair—wayswerefilledwiththeglitteringarmyofthesnowflakes;alldaylongthesnowgrewdeeperanddeeperontheground;andonthebreathofsomewhite—wingedwonderthatpassedLoisBoynton’swindowherwhitesoulforsookits\"earth—lot\"andtookflightatlast。

  Theywatchedbesideher,butneverknewthemomentofhergoing;

  itwasjustasilentflitting,aceasingtobe,withoutatremor,oraflutterthatcouldbeseenbymortaleye。Herfacewassolikeanangel’sinitsshiningserenitythatthefewwholovedherbestcouldnotlookuponherwithanythingbutreverentjoy。

  Onearthshehadknownnothingbutthe\"brokenarcs,\"butinheavenshewouldfindthe\"perfectround\";thereatlast,ontheothersideofthestars,shecouldrememberright,poorLoisBoynton!

  Forweeksafterwardsthevillagewasshroudedinsnowasithadneverbeenbeforewithinmemory,butineveryhappyhouseholdthehome—lifedeepeneddaybyday。Thebookscameoutinthelongevenings;thegrandsirestoldoldtalesundertheinspirationofthehearth—fire:thechildrengatheredontheirwoodenstoolstoroastapplesandpopcorn;andheartscameclosertogetherthanwhensummercalledthehousematestowanderhereandthereinfieldsandwoodsandbesidetheriver。

  OveratBoyntons’,whenthesnowwaswhirlingandthewindhowlingroundthechimneysofthehigh—gabledoldfarmhouse;wheneverywindowhaditsframeofermineandfringeoficicles,andthesleetrattledfuriouslyagainsttheglass,thenIvorywouldthrowagreatbacklogonthebankofcoalsbetweenthefire—dogs,thekettlewouldbegintosing,andtheeatcomefromsomesnugcornertocurlandpurronthebraidedhearth—rug。

  Schoolwasinsession,andIvoryandRodhadtheirtextbooksofanevening,butoh!whatanewandstrangejoytostudywhentherewasasweetwomansittingnearwithherworkbasket;awomanwearingashiningbraidofhairasifitwereacoronet;awomanofcleareyesandtenderlips,onewhocouldfeelaswellasthink,onewhocouldbeaman’scomradeaswellashisdearlove。

  Trulythesecondheaven,theoneon\"thissideofthestars,bymencalledhome,\"wasverypresentoveratBoyntons’。

  Sometimesthebroad—seatedoldhairclothsofawouldbedrawninfrontofthefire,andIvory,layinghispipeandhisGreekgrammaronthetable,wouldtakesomelighterbookandopenitonhisknee。

  Waitstillwouldlifthereyesfromhersewingtomeetherhusband’sglancethatspokelongingforherclosercompanionship,andgladlyleavingherwork,andslippingintotheplacebyhisside,shewouldputherelbowonhisshoulderandreadwithhim。

  Once,Rod,fromhisplaceatatableontheothersideoftheroom,lookedandlookedatthemwithakindofinstinctbeyondhisyears,andfinallycreptuptoWaitstill,andputtinganarmthroughhers,nestledhiscurlyheadonhershoulderwiththequaintcharmandgracethatbelongedtohim。

  Itwasayoungandbeautifulshoulder,Waitstill’s,andtherehadalwaysbeen,andwouldalwaysbe,agraciouscurveinitwhereachild’sheadmightlieincomfort。Presentlywithashypressure,Rodwhispered:\"ShallIsitintheotherroom,WaitstillandIvory?——AmIintheway?\"

  Ivorylookedupfromhisbookquietlyshakinghishead,whileWaitstillputherarmaroundtheboyanddrewhimcloser。

  \"Ourlittlebrotherisneverintheway,\"shesaid,asshebentandkissedhim。

  Menmaycomeandmenmaygo;SacoWaterstilltumblestumultuouslyoverthedamandrushesundertheEdgewoodbridgeonitswaytothesea;andstillitlistenstothestoryofto—daythatwillsometimebethehistoryofyesterday。

  OnmidsummereveningsthewindowsoftheoldfarmhouseoveratBoyntons’gleamwithunaccustomedlightsandvoicesbreakthestillness,lesseningthegloomofthelonggrass—grownlaneofLoisBoynton’swatchingindaysgoneby。Onsunnymorningsthereisamerrybabelofchildren’schatter,mingledwithgentlematernalwarnings,forthisisanewbroodofyoungthingsandtheriveriscallingthemasithascalledalltheotherswhoevercamewithinthecircleofitsmagic。Thefragileharebellshangingtheirblueheadsfromthecrevicesoftherocks;thebrilliantcolumbinesswayingtoandfroontheirtallstalks;thepatchesofgleamingsandinshallowplacesbeckoninglittlebarefeettocomeandtreadthem;theglintofsilverminnowsdartinghitherandthitherinsomestillpool;thetempestuousjourneyofsomeweather—beatenlog,fightingitswaydownstream;——hereislifeinabundance,luringthechildtoshareitsrisksanditsjoys。

  WhenWaitstill’sboysandPatty’sgirlscomebacktothefarm,theyplaybySacoWaterastheirmothersandtheirfathersdidbeforethem。Thepathsthroughthepinewoodsalongtheriver’sbrinkaretroddensmoothbytheirrestless,wanderingfeet;theireager,curiouseyessearchthewaysidesforadventure,buttheirbabbleandlaughterareoftenestheardfromtheruinsofanoldhousehiddenbygreattrees。Thestonesofthecellar,allovergrownwithblackberryvines,arestillthere;andafragmentofthebrickchimney,whereswallowsbuildtheirnestsfromyeartoyear。Awildernessofweeds,tallandluxuriant,springsuptohidethestoneoverwhichJacobCochranesteppeddailywhenheissuedfromhisdoor;andthepolishedstickwithwhichthree—year—oldPattybeatsatattoomaybearoundfromtheverychairinwhichhesat,expoundingtheBibleaccordingtohisownvision。Thethicketsofsweetcloverandred—tippedgrasses,ofwavingfernsandyoungalderbusheshideallofuglinessthatbelongstothedesertedspotandserveasaminiatureforestinwhoseshadetheyounglingsforeshadowthefutureattheirplayofhome—buildingandhousekeeping。Inafarcorner,altogetherconcealedfromthepasser—by,thereisasecrettreasure,awonderfulrosebush,itsgreenleavesshiningwithhealthandvigor。WhentheJulysunisturningthehay—fieldsyellow,thechildrenpartthebushesintheleafycornerandlittleWaitstillBoyntonstepscautiouslyin,togatheronesplendidrose,\"forfatherandmother。\"

  JacobCochrane’sheart,withallitsfaultsandfrailtieshaslongbeenatpeace。Onachill,drearynightinNovember,allthatwasmortalofhimwasraisedfromitsunhonoredresting—placenotfarfromtheruinsofhisoldabode,andbornebythreeofhisdisciplesfarawaytoanotherstate。Thegravestoneswerereplaced,facedownward,deep,deepintheearth,andthesodlaidbackuponthem,sothatnomanthenceforwardcouldmarktheplaceoftheprophet’stransientburialamidthescenesofhisfirstandonlytriumphantministry。

  \"Itisasadstory,JacobCochrane’s,\"Waitstillsaidtoherhusbandwhenshefirstdiscoveredthatherchildrenhadchosenthedesertedspotfortheirplay;\"andyet,Ivory,theredrosebloomsandbloomsintheruinsoftheman’shouse,andperhaps,somewhereintheworld,hehasleftamessagethatmatchestherose。\"

  End

点击下载App,搜索"THE STORY OF WAITSTILL BAXTER",免费读到尾