Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-07-12


| gladdened her mothers eyes. Even in her
sleep she bore the look of woe and despair
which was the prevalent expression of her face
by day even in her sleep she had forgotten
how to smile. Bot all these marks of the sin
and sorrow she had passed through only made
her mother love her the more. She stood look
ing at her with greedy eyes, which seemed as
though no gazing could satisfy their longing F.;
and at last she stopped down and kissed the
pale, worn hand that lay outside the bed clothes
No touch disturbed the sleeper; the mother
need not have laid the hand so gently down
upon the count rpane. There was no sign of
life, save only nnw and then deep sob like
sigh. Mrs. Leigh sat down beside the bed
and, still holding back the curtain, looked on
and on, as if she could never be satisfied
Susan would fain have stayed by her ,rling
one ; but she had many calls upon her time and
thoughts, and her will had now, as ever, 10 be
given up to that of others. All seemed to dis
solve the burden of their cares on her. Her
father illhumored from his last nights intcm.
pcrance, did not scrupe Il reproach her with
being the cause of little Nanny's death and
when, after bearing his upbraiding meekly for
some time, she could no longer restrain herself,
but began to cry; he wounded Der even more
by his inudicious attempts at comfort: for he
said it was as well the child was dead; it was
none of theirs, and why should they be troubled
with it? Susan wrung her hands at this. and
came and stood before her father, and implorcd
him 10 forbear. Then she had to take all re-
quisitc steps for the c0roner's inquest; size had
to arrange for the dismissal Of her school she
had TO summon little neighbor. and send his
willing feet on a message to William Lniah,
| who, she felt, ought to be informed OF his moth.
crs whereabouts, and Of the whole state of af-
! fairs. She asked her messenger to tell him to
come and speak to her-that his mother was
at her house. She was thankful that her father
sauntered out to have gossip at the nearest
zach. stand, and 10 relate as many of the nights
adventures as he knew for as vet he was in
ignorance Of the watcher and the watched, who
silently passed away the hours upstairs.
At djnncr-.ime win came. lie looked red
glad impatient, excited Susan stood calm
and white before him, her soft, loving eyes ga
zing Straight into his.
'Will,' said She, in a low, quiet voice, your
sister is upstars.'
My sistern said he, as if af1ighrel at the
idea, and loosing his glad look in one Of gloom
Susan saw it, and her heart sank little, but
she went on As calm to all appearance as ever
She was little Nanny's mother, as perhap,
you know. Poor little Nanny vas killed las
night by a fall down stairs All the camues.
was gone; all the suppressed feeling was dis.
played in spite of every effort. She sat down
and hid her face from him. and cried BITTERLY
He forgot everything but the wish, the longing
to comfort her. lie put his arm round | @
waist, and bent over her. But all he could say
was. Oh, Susan, how can comfort you :
Don't take on so-pray don't! lie neve
changed the words but the tone varied ever,
time he spoke. AT last she seemed to regain
her power over herself; and she wiped her eye
and once more locked upon him with her owr
quiet, earnest, uniearing gaze
Y our sister was near the house. She cam
in on hearing my words to the doctor. She i
asleep row, and your mother is watching her
! wanted to tell YOU all myself Would yo,
like to see your mother?'
'No!' said he. would rather see non
but thee. NIo;Ier told me thou knew'st all.
His eyes were downcast in their shame.
But the holy and pure, did not lower or vel
her eyes.
She said, yes, ! know all-all but her SUI
ferings. Think what they must have been
He made answer low and stern, She de
served them all every jot'
'ln the eye Of God, perhaps size does, III
is the ludge: we are not
'Ohn sh3 said with sudden burst, 'Wil
90 and make me think you cruel and hard
Goodness is not goodness unless there is mere
; and tenderness with it. There is your mo,he
who has been nearly hcart-brokcn, now full
; Of rejoicing over her child-think of you
not err.
, 4 do thing Of her. said he. i remembe
The promise | gave her last night. Tho,
sioudst give me time. would do right il
2 time. ] never thing it DER in quiet. But
2 will do what is right and fitting, never fear
Thou hast spoken out very plain to me an
misdoubled me, Susan; love thee 50 that tn
= words cut mc. If did hand back bit from
4 making sudden promises, it was because ne
S even for love of thee, would | say what wa
not feeling; and at first could not feel all IA
'nce rs thou wouldst have me. But I'm nc
cruel and harl for if | had been, should ma
have g'ievcd as have DONE.
lie made as fine were going away ahl in
decd he did feel he would rather think it owe
n in quiet. But Susan, grieyed at her incautiou
q words, which had all the appearance Of harsh
, ness, went step or two nearer-Paused-an
then, all over bushes said in a low sctt WhlS
per
o 'Ob, VIII! beg your pardon. am yer
It sorry-wont you forgive me 2
Y She who had always drawn back, and bee
|, so reserved, said this in the very soest mar
= ner with eyes now uplted besecchingly, nov
d dropped to tho ground. Her sweet coniusio
; told more than words could do; and wi
r, turned back, all Joyous in his certainty of bcin
:, beloved, and took her in his arms and kissc
d her
My own Susan! he said.
t Meanwhile the mother watched her child
K the room above.
Il 1t was late in the afternoon before sh
d awoke; for the sleeping draught had been ver
powerful. The instant she awoke, her eye
o were fixed on her mothers face with gaze
r unfllnching as if she were fascinated. Mr.
It Leigh did not turn away; nor move. For
n seemed as if motion would unlock the stor
: command over herself which, while SO periec
1t y still, she was enabled to preserve. But by
y andby Lizzie cried ont in piercing voice
agony
t, Mother, don't look at me! have been .
n wicked and instantly she hid her face, ar
grovelled among the bed-cothCs, and lay lii
= one dead--so motioncss was she.
: Mrs. Leigh knelt down By the bed. and spol