The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-09-18

save my best visits TO the last; or perhaps
| did not think it-perhaps loved Isabel
better than them all.
SO went into the country, thinking all the
way how she must have changed since
left. She must be new nineteen or twenty,
and then her grief must have saddened her
face somewhat; but thought should like
her all the better for that. Then perhaps
she would not laugh and tease me, but
would be quieter, and wear smile--so
calm and beautiful thought. Her figure
too must have grown more elegant, and she
would have more dignity in her air.
shuddered a little at this for thought,
she will hardly think so much of me then,
perhaps she will have seen those whom she
likes great deal beters PERHAPS she will
not like me at all yet knew very well that
should like her.
had gone up almost TO the house |.
had passed the stream where We fished on
that day many years before ; and i thought
that now che had grown to womanhood,
should never sit with her thefe aaain, and
surely never drag her as did ~ Rof the
rver, and we're her little hands, and
never perhaps kiss 1er, as did, when she
sat upon my moihersslap-oh, no-no-no.
saw where she buried Tray, but the old
slab was gone; there was no ribbon there
now. thought that at least Isabel would
have replaced The slab; but it was a wrong
thought. remember when went up TO the
door--for Ii flashed upon me that perhaps
Isabel was married. conld not tell why
she should not: but know tina; it would
make me feel uncomfortable 10 hear that
she had.
There was tall woman who opened the
door; she did not know me; bu; recog.
nized her as one of the old servants. l
asked her after the house keepers g. thin
king would surprise Isabel M Aut-
tered somewhat, thinking she MI tiep in
suddenly herself-or perhaps that She might
have seen me coming up the bill But evsp
then, thought, she would hardly know me
Presently the house-keeper cameuin, look
ing very grave ; she asked if the gentleman
wished TO see her.
The gentleman did wish it, and she sat
down on one side of the FIRE; for it was au-
tumn, and the leaves were falling, and the
November winds were very chilly.
Shall tell her-tllought I-who am
and ask atpEce FOR Isa5esax ! triedHdSsskse
but ii was hard for me to call her name
it was very strange but ] could not pro-
nounce il al ALL
'Who, sir 2" said the house keeper, in a
voice so earnest, that | rose at once and
crossed the room and took her hand :-"You
know me-" said I, "you surely remember
Paul ?n
She started with surprise, but soon recov-
cred herself, and resumed the same grave
manner. thought had committed some
mistake, or been in some way the cause OF
offence. called her Madam, and asked for
Isabel.
She turned pale-terribly pale. bella %
said She
ayes, Bellan
'Sir-Bella is dead"
dropped into my chair. l said not a
word The neutrality-suspicious. her kind
heart passed noiseessly out. My hands
were over my eyes. The winds were sigh
ing out side, and the clock ticking mournful-
ly within.
| did not sob, nor weep, nor utter any
sound.
The clock licked mounfully, and the
birds were singing but I did rot bear them
any longer; there was tempest raging with.
in me that would have drowned the voice of
thunder
1t broke at length in long, deep sigh
ooh God p-said |. I: may have been a
prayer-it was not an imprecation.
Bella-sweet Bella was dead II seemed
as if with her half the world was dead-ev-
cry bright face jarkened-every sunshine
hlotted out-every flower withered-every
hope extinguished.
walked out into the air, and stood under
the trees where we had played together with
poor Tray--where Tray lay buried. But it
was not Tray ! thought Of, as stood there,
with the cold wind playing through my hair,
and my eyes filling with tears. How could
she die Why was she gomez Was it re-
ally truea Was Isabel indeed dead-in her
coffin--buried Then why should any bo-
dy'live? What was :here to live for, now
that Bella was gomez
All, what gap is made in the world by
the death of those we love- It is no lon-
gar whole, but poor half-world that swings
uneasy on its own axis, and makes you diz~
zy with the cla,ter of its wreck.
The house-keeper told me all-little By
little, as | found calmness to listen. She
had been dead month Lilly was with her
through il all she died sweelly, without
pain, and without fear-what can angels
fear? She had spoken often of "Cousin
Paul." she had left little packet for him,
but it was not there; she had gwen it into
Lilly's keeping.
Her grave, the house-keeper told me, was
only a little way off from her home-beside
the grave of brother who died long years
before. The mound was high and fresh.
The sods had not closed together, and the
dry leaves caught in the crevices, and gave
a ragged and terrible look 10 tho grave. The
next day laid them all smooth--as we had
once laid them on the grave of Tray; clip
ped the long grass, and set tuft of blue
violets at the foot and waiered it with
'ears. The homestead, the trees, the fields,
the meadows--in the windy November,
looked dlsmally could no, like them a.
gain; | liked nothing but the little mound,
thai had dressed over Bella's grave. There
she sleeps now--the sleep Of death TX.