Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-02-11
HTLLSDALE, FEB. IL, 1851.

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( Mrs. Lee was stretched upon her coarse
yet clean bed, pale and emacialed. Angel
Of light she exclaimed, extending TO Annie
her thin hand; Il knew that you would come.
am sick, very sick ! cannot live but a lit
tie while; yet do not weep--ralher rejoice.
My sins are forgiven; shall soon be at rest.
From that Time Annie devoted her every
leisure moment 10 the sick woman. She
Ininistered 10 her temporal necessities with
ready skill. She sm0Uthef her pillow, and
cooled her burning brow, with her own soft
hand. She read TO her, prayed with her,
and The same gentle voice whose sweet songs
had called her from fearful lethargy, soolh
ed and cheered he, passage 10 The grave
| The benevolent DIR. Green, too, was constant
in his attentions, aud Mr.. Foueseue, who.
now that Annie was so deeply engaged, felt
quite lonely visited the sick woman often.
'Ah,' said Mrs. Lee TO him, on one of
these occasions, 'she is an angel. and though
! l may not hope 10 reward her, Heaven sure
ly will. Night afcr night has she hung over
rue, refusing one moment's rest, for we'll she
knows that no hand can deal SO tenderly with
this wasted frame, as her own. Others are
kind, but ah! there are none like Aunie Har
low, with her palient, loving face, never wea-
~ of doiog good
Mr.. Fonescue, who bad long fell, with
! Mrs. Lee, that there we're none like Aone
Harlow, was never so happy as when hearing
her praises, and though he had never named
the subject, his Imagination delighted TO
picture future blessed with her constant
companionship, although Inc scarce dared
hope that he should ever realize such happi
ness. Both were young: business would
soon call him from he place, TO yisil foreign
! clmes, and he was one who felt the uncer-
tainty OF earthly hopes be knew that An
n lie was not indifferent 10 him, for the eye
has language that speaks to the heart, and
Warren aud Aunie, who had communed
much, well understood each other.
Mrs. Lee was dying. The moon-beams
streamed with full radiance through the low
windows, and seemed TO look mouinfully up
on the scene. The doctor, aided by MI.
Fortescue, supported her 10 an uprigii posi-
ton, and the fearful Aunie waved snow
white fan, TO aid her difficult iespirations.-
The little pra,lling Mary was now quite silent
gazing with childish grIel and awe upon the
straoge scene.
'Fear oot,' whispered the doctor kindly;
while live, liille Mary shall have home
with me, and will be a father TO her.
Aud should outlve you said Mr.. For
tescue, q will see that she has home aud
friends
A smile of gratitude played over the face
Of the dying woman, and without struggle
or a gfoan, her worn aud weary spirit found
an eternal rest. When the last sad rites
were performed, Mary was removed from her
humble home TO the delightful residence Of
DR.. Green. AS his wife was too FAR adyan-
ced in years 10 take charge OF The iiule lavo-
rite, ne gave Annie hume under he same
root, as governess for his adopted daughter
The arrangement was extremely gratifying
to Annie, for besides atiordlng her, next her
own, the <leasan;est house in the world, II
enabled her 10 increase, considerably, the
quarterly remittance which il had been her
habit aud pleasure to beslow upon hel moth
er, aud which, added to Mrs. HarlOw's ef
forts had rendered them quite easy aud com
Portable, aud enabled her o give The children
the benefit of an excellent school, NJ a short
distance from the cottage.
Late in September one fne moonlight
evening, Fouescue and Annie wandered
forth together. The eyes Of The former
were sad and downcasI, aud for time he
was silent.
Al length he slaited from his reyeTie, and
producing a letter, said, This summons me
from all these delightful scenes-lhe purest
and lairest of my liie-and early tomorrow
/ must CO.
What so soon' cried Annie, impulsively,
and cold shudder crep, over her, and For
tescue felt the hand which rested on his arm
Temble violently.
'Yes, Annie, to morrow. Already have l
fingered too long. ] have foreign business
TO settle which demands my earliest atten-
ton, and which is intimately connected with
my future interests. Time and distance
must separate US. but on'y assure me once
that change Of sentiments never can, aud |
will ash no more. Say. Annie, cao hope
when months-years perchance-havo flown,
that you viii. greet my return with glad
heart filled with sentiments as Kind as those
you now entertain towards mei'
Annle's head dropped upon his shoulder,
aud those sweet, yet bitIer tears replied.
lie had gone. Her cheek was shade
paler, aud her voice more touching IN IT'S
sadness But qnieGly, perseveriDgly aud con !
ienledly she filled her allotted station.
As month after month rolled on, improve |
ment aud progress were visible, even TO her
own eyes, among the members Of her inter
estiug school, aud she had the satisfaction OF
feeling that hers was path Of usefulness
Beneath her watchful care ltle May grew !
in wisdom and in every grace OF mind, aud
the doctors home was never before so JOY I
fu; for yosth aud childhood was there, aud /
the merry song aud ringing laugh echoed
through the once quiet halls. Twice IN
each year Annie visited the home of her |
mother; aud oh! with what delight were the /
Seasons welcomed by the glad family! How
the once little Henry had grown and i'm
proved and how pretty and pleasant looked 4
the younger ones.
Thus, three years have rolled away. For
tescue, having adjusted his business satsiac-
rily, has returned To gladden. the hearts OF
his old friends, aud refresh his Own, amidst
those dear familiar scenes And he has
come, too, to claim his lovely Annie IT'S
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