Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1850-06-18

eternal Night, and bask in the sunny beauty
Of cultivated plantations. We will 60 Ia
Noun, Vernon and renew our patriotism over
the dus, of carth's bcs, hero. And then, n il
please you, we will away to other lands, and
by the time we have returned from London,
Paris, and the cities Of Italy, Think You will
be cured Of all your ehild.like timidi,y."
st. Clair spoke half jesiingly, for travelling
was not then the commonplace affair it has
since become u,with so much animation in
his tone, and 50 much hope beaming from.his
face that Agnes caugh, something ofhs cheer.
ul spirit. and her farewell tears were sweet
as well As hitter.
st. Glars letters were frcquen, and affect
ionatc full Of glosint iancics from the poe,
Try Of his heart, and brilliau, with animated
descriptions Of life in the gay city. lie had
nearly completed his business and was Prepar'
inc for his return TO A., as he had SAID
''to claim his bride" Al this point hi. = Z.
,crs ceased, and Agnes waited and wrote IN
vain bat she did no, doubt his faith She
went about her daily duties with a mind III at
ease, but a strong determination not 10 prove
worse daughter or sister because her heart
Of hearts was given In another
/ At last came q letter directed to ArnrS In
4 strange, feminine hand, explaining the mys-
terry thus:
~ write YOU by the rcque,, Of INV brother
Ernest, to tell you thu, he has been III since
the date Of hi. last LETTER To YOU, and has de-
laycd srudlng Io YOU. not wishing To cause
needless alarm. but to-day he is much worse
and his disease proves to be typhus fever lie
speaks much Of you, and wishes to see YOU.
lie Is, indeed, very ~, and fear, oh ! fear,
this sickness NAV prove fatal. Come To rs, ,
will YOU not, d,ar Agnes, ior one so dear To
Emrs, will ever have place in the heart ct
IILry ST. CLAIR"
The next morning, accompanied by her a
,hcr, Arnc, %, out for Boston. She spoke
little, and was very pale, bu, her eye rIowcd
with a restless light, and an thought seemed
absorbed IN 4 desire to hasten onward. Their
journey ended a, Last, as all journeys must,
however long, and our travellers has,cncd to
the residence of the 81 Clairs
As Agn,, appro,chri the sick mans bed
side, and noticed the altered features of that
beloved face, her forced calmncss torsook her,
and she kurl, in an agony Of iran "Oh,
Father ~, sc-m good 10 thy sight, lc, this
cup pass from me-" This was 40 she could
utter, bu, she raised her claspci hands aud
rrIefclclucnt face to the Heaven which had
ever been her trust. ST Clair stretched forth
hi, feeble hand aud laid It on her clustering
locks. Tears, tears Of sympathy for her
sorrow, and no, for his fate, sprung TO his
eyes.
"Ycs, pray Arucs," he said, when be
could command his voice io speak "Pny tor
mo-. lshall need your prayers in the dark val
lev through which mus, pass. Your pure
life is a prayer for yourself, which will b.
answered iu blessings on your head
"Oh, speak no, Of the dark valley, Em-
est | canno, live on the earth II YOU must
leave a." and again cl',pinr her hands, she
exclaimed, Heavenly Father, spare him or
take me also"
"Nc,crthelc,s, not my will, but Thine BE-
done, ." added the sick man.
| Agnc, felt the rcproof conveyed In this al.
di,ion TO her prayer She reflected that she
should comfort and support her dying lover,
no, lean on him far strength, as IN the days
oi health and hope. She prayed luag aud 81.
lrnily, and then aruse and took the hand still
outs,rcichcd 10 her-moi,tcniug his icycr.
parched lps, and bathing hls burning brow.
From iha, time Agnes ne,crallor,d lu her
duty, Tor she leaned on strong am-thc arm
Of hlth-ard ,hc enjoyed the fulfilling Of the
promise, "As ,hy day 50 shall thy strength
be-" She took sufficient daily food and night.
ly rcposc for her physical support, IN order To
render all possible assistance IN the sick room
and sustained her spirits with wonderful encr'
~, tla, her suiIcrings might no, give pang
to the dying man.
Ills life was evidently waning. His body
grew weaker and weaker, but his clear, strong
mind shone gu, till the last, and in the inter,
walls of his suiierinrs be- would converse with
all the power Of other days.
As Agnes was sitting alone BY his bedside
one day, he said
81 have ecu,hinking Of the years to come
dearest, and thinking how my early fate would
alice, your life. Deprived of one who would
have loved and guarded you most tendorly
what will you do alone' Nay, weep not,my
love, would comfort and no, distress you.
would no, be forgotten when am gone, but
you mus, mo-, mourn too bitterly. When th,
Young oak is iclled to the earth, shall the
beautiful vine which was ,wined around it.
lie crushing and bleeding on the groundl-
Shall i, not rather find another supper, anC
Ilill again its green arms to Heaven"
"when the oak falls, the vine falls with it,
Enest-it bleeds and dies. Its fine tsndrils
are broken--it could not cling to another sup
port"
think Of wha: have said, he replied,
"and refuse no consolation which time and re-
ncctiOu may bring
The death-sc.nc came-and Agnes stood
by the couch OF the dying. She smoothed his
pillow, and with clear eye, but untold an
guish a, her heart, she pointed 10 ,hchome IN
u ~ -. ,h,,, shonlb share togpth.