Matters in Kentucky

"Inasmuch as ye did it to the least of these ye did it unto Me," kept
ringing in Hugh's ears, as he hastily dressed himself, striking his
benumbed fingers together, and trying hard to keep his teeth from
chattering, for Hugh was beginning his work of economy, and when at
daylight Claib came as usual to build his master's fire, he had sent him
back, saying he did not need one, and bidding him go, instead, to Mrs.
Hastings' chamber.

"Make a hot one there," he said. "Pile the coals on high, so as to heat
up quick."

As Hugh passed through the hall on his way downstairs, he could not
refrain from pausing a moment at the door of Adah's room. The fire was
burning, he knew, for he heard the kindling coals sputtering in the
flames, and that was all he heard. He would look in an instant, he said,
to see if all were well, and carefully turning the knob he entered the
chamber where the desolate Adah lay sleeping, her glossy brown hair
falling like a veil about her sweet pale face, on which the tear stains
still were visible.

As she lay with the firelight falling full upon her forehead, Hugh, too,
caught sight of the mark which had attracted 'Lina's curiosity, and
starting forward, bent down for a nearer view.

"Strange that she should have that mark. Oh Heaven!" and Hugh staggered
against the bedpost as a sudden thought flashed upon him. "Was that
polished villain who had led him into sin anything to Adaline, anything
to his mother? Poor girl, I am sorry if you, too, have been
contaminated, however slight the contamination may be," he said, softly,
glancing again at Adah, about whose lips a faint smile was playing, and
who, as he looked, murmured faintly: "Kiss me, George, just as you used to do."