Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 341
■would miss it. And yet that star shone -with a lovely lustre,
and, doubtless, served some useful purpose or other. Yes,
there are clouds in the firmament of blue. How beautiful the
luminous moon, in her radiance I Ah ! there comes a cloud
across her face, which hides her wholly. How like, now,
she is to me I But, see, the cloud passes— one part of her placid
countenance is already in sight— aye, the cloud has cleared
away again, and gentle Luna beams brighter than before. Can
the cloud pass from me, also ? Everything is possible unto Him.
Such were the thoughts of my heart when I fancied hearing
footsteps behind me. I looked back, but saw no one. Turning
suddenly upon my heel, I made for home. I had not gone
many yards when I saw a man get up from the hedge side, and
walk to meet me. It was the tramp I had passed on the road;
only he did not now seem to halt in the slightest, neither did
his hat-cantle cover his eyes as before. I believed he had
some evil intention towards me, and at once thought of run-
ning away. But how could I tell what arms he had? It would
be wisest to face him boldly, and make the best of a bad
matter. "When we met I recognised him instantly.
"You must'nt think me too proud to speak just now,
because I refused to answer you," he observed. " O, no, I'm
never above owning my relations ; but I take care not to lower
myself by talking to all sorts. And how "
" Uncle," I broke in, " do you remember what I said to you
the last time I saw you ? "
" ' Good-night ! ' " he replied.
"You know that is not the occasion I'm referring to," I
rejoined. " Do you recollect what I told you in the garden of
Nic'las of Garth Ddu ? "
"Well, wait a bit; my memory is not so bad, as a rule.
What was it, though ? ! I remember now— that you'd give
me a sovereign next time you saw me. How a man does
forget things, to be sure."
" You know better," I retorted. "You know that what I
told you was— if ever you showed your face in this neighbour-
hood again, I would give you into the hands of the police; and
I'll do so, too."
" Bosh ! " he returned, contemptuously. "Look here— when