New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-02-23
CHAPTER XVI


Wfct ne udrss Uere ARRAYS s1yirg.
Paul had never risen from bis little bed He Law
there, listening 10 the noises in the street quite
TRANQUILITY not caring much how the time went,
but watching IL and watching everything about
HIM with observing eyes.
When the sunbeams struck into his room through
the rustling blinds and quivered on the opposite
wall like golden water. he knew that evening was
coming on and that the sky was red and beautiful.
As the reflection died away, and gloom went
creeping Up the wall he watched it deepen, deep
en- deepen. into night. Then he thought how the
long streets were dotted with lamps. and bow the
resceful stars were shining overhead His fancy
had a strange tendency 10 wander 10 the river
which he knew was flowing through the great
city and now be thought how black II was, aud
how deep il would look rejecting the hosts Of stars
and more than all, how steadily It rolled away to
meet the sea.
As IL grew later in the night, and footsteps IN
the street became 50 rare that he could hear them
coming count them they paused and lose them
in the hollow distance he would lie and watch the
many-colored ing about the candle, and wait pa
tientlv for day His only trouble was the swift
and rapid river II felt forced sometimes, 10 try
20 stop ito stem II with his childish hands--or
choke its way with sand-and when he saw IL
coming on, resistless, he cried out But a word
from Florence who was always al his side restored
him 70 himself and leaning his poor head upon her
breast. he told Floy Of his dream. and smiled.
When day began 20 dawn again, he watched for
the sun and when it, cheerful light began 20
sparkle IN the room. he pictured 10 himseli-pictur
ed he saw-the high church towers rising up into
the morning sky the town reviving waking start
ing into life once more the river giistening as II r0l
led but rolling fast ever and the country bright
with dew. Familiar sounds and cries came By De.
grees into the street below the SER ants in tue
house were reused and busy faces looked in at the
door and voices asked his attendants softly how be
was Paul always answered for himself, Il am
better. ! AN great deal better, thank you Tel
Papa 50
By little and little. he got tired Of the hustle of
the day the noise Of carriages and carts and people
passing and re-passingi and would fall asleep. or
be troubled wiki restless and uneasy sense again
the child could hardly tell whether this were in his
sleeping or his waking moments-oi that rushing
river. WHY. viii Il never stop FlOy D he would
sometimes ask her. IL IS bearing me away. /
think r.
But FlOy could always sOOthe and reassars him
and il was his daily delight 10 make her lay her
head down on his pillow, and take some rest.
You are always watching me, Floy. Let me
watch y0u, noww They would prop him up with
cushions In corner Of his bed, and there be would
recne the while she lay beside him bending for
ward oftentimes 70 kiss her. and whispering %
those who were near that she was tired. and how
she had sat up 50 many nights beside him.
Thus the Hush Of the day, in is heat and light,
would gradually decline and again the golden
water would be dancing on the wall
He was visited by as many as three grave doc
tors-they used 70 assemble downstairs, and come
up together-and the room was 50 quiet, snd Paul
was 50 observant Of them though be never asked
Of anybody what they said, that he even knew the
difference in the sound Of their watches. But his
interest centered IN Sir Parker Pops, who always
took bis seat on the side Of the bed For Paul had
heard them say long ago that that gentleman had
been with bis mamma when she clasped Florence
in ner arms. and died. And he could no, forget H.
now. He liked him FOE H. He was DO; afraid.
The people round hin changed as 1naccountsbly
on that first night az DR.. Bimbers-except Flo
renee; Florence never changed-and what had
been Sir Parker Pops, was now his father, sitting
with his head upon his hand. Old Mrs Pipchin
doing in an easy chair, often changed to Miss
Tox, or his aunt and Pau was quite content TO
shat bis eyes again, and see what happened
next, without emotion. But this figure with
its head upon is hand returned 50 often. aud
rem aimed so ong. and sat so still and solemn,
never speaking, never being spoken 70, and rarely
lifting ap It's face that Paul began to wonder Ian
guidly, if II were real and in the nighttime saw
il sitting there, with fear.
Floy p be said. VIVA, Is that
TWhWs dearest"