Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.

ON THE EDGE OF

A MOOR [Illustration]

BY AMY LE FEUVRE

AUTHOR OF "PROBABLE SONS," "HEATHER'S MISTRESS," "DWELL DEEP," "ODD," "THE CARVED CUPBOARD," ETC.

FOURTH EDITION

LONDON THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 4 BOUVERIE STREET AND 65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD

STORIES BY

AMY LE FEUVRE

HEATHER'S MISTRESS. 3s. 6d. ODD MADE EVEN. 3s. 6d. ON THE EDGE OF A MOOR. 3s. 6d. THE CARVED CUPBOARD. 2s. 6d. DWELL DEEP; or, Hilda Thorn's Life Story. 2s. JILL'S RED BAG. 2s. LEGEND LED. 2s. A LITTLE MAID. 2s. ODD. 2s. PUZZLING PAIR. 2s. BULBS AND BLOSSOMS. 1s. 6d. HIS LITTLE DAUGHTER. 1s. 6d. BUNNY'S FRIENDS. 1s. ERIC'S GOOD NEWS. 1s. PROBABLE SONS. 1s. TEDDY'S BUTTON. 1s. A THOUGHTLESS SEVEN. 1s.

_LONDON_ _THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY_ _4 BOUVERIE STREET_

_"Cast thy bread upon the waters,_ _for thou shall find it after many days."_

THE land was still, the skies were grey with weeping. Into the soft brown earth the seed she cast. "Oh, soon," she cried, "will come the time of reaping, The golden time, when clouds and tears are past." Then came a whisper through the autumn haze— "Yea, thou shalt find it after many days."

Hour after hour she marks the fitful gleaming Of sunlight shining through the cloudy rift; Hour after hour she lingers, idly dreaming To see the rain fall, and the dead leaves drift. "Oh, for some small green signs of life!" she prays. "Have I not watched and waited many days?"

At early morning, chilled and sad, she hearkens To stormy winds that through the poplars blow. Far over hill and plain the heaven darkens— Her field is covered with a shroud of snow. "Ah, Lord," she sighs, "are these Thy loving ways?" He answers, "Spake I not of many days?"

The snowdrop blooms: the purple violet glistens On beds of moss, that take the sparkling showers. Half cheered, half doubting yet, she strays and listens To finches singing to the shy young flowers. A little longer still His love delays The promised blessing—"after many days."

"Oh, happy world," she cries, "the sun is shining! Above the soil I see the springing green! I could not trust His word without repining; I could not wait in peace for things unseen. Forgive me, Lord! My soul is full of praise. My doubting heart prolonged Thy 'many days.'"

SARAH DOUDNEY.