The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-05-26

At length she aroused, and with the
same beautiful smile which had playet
upon her features when she sunk Il
rest, again exclaimed:
"I am so very happy, dear mother
you will call me your good, little Eve
once more ?o
In voice almost sufocated with
emotion, the desired words were again
breathed forth, and long and fervent
kisses imprinted upon the child's pale
cheek
"My heart is so glad,n she murmur.
ed. "Oh, mother, kiss my brothers
when | am gone, and smile upon them
and call them good. Il is like the SUM-
light on cloudy day.
"Put your face close to mine, dear
father, and let me whisper in your ear.
Call poor mother good, sometimes, and
kiss her as You do me, now that am
dying, and she will never look so sad
anymore"
I" will, my precious child! I will %
And the head of the strong man bowed
upon his breast, and he wept.
A change passed over the counte-
nance of the little one
"The angels will take me now" she
whispered. The eyelids closed. there
was no struggle, but the parents saw
that her mission on earth was ended
Henceforth she would rejoice in the
world where all is light and love.
The mother wept not as she gazed
upon that lifeless clay. She wept not
as she laid the little form upon the bed,
and straightened the limbs already
stiffeuing in the embrace of death but
when her husband clasped her 10 his
bosom, and uttered words of endearing
affection, a wild scream burst from her
lips, and she sunk back in his arms,
apparently as unconscious as the child
who lay before them.
A long and alarming state of insen-
sibility was succeeded by weeks of fe-
yer and delirium.
How many bitter but useful lessons
did the husband learn as he watched
by her bedside. Often in the still
hours of the night, when all save him
self slumbered, she would gaze upon
him with that earnest, loving, bot re-
proachful look, which he well remem-
bered TO have seen in years gone by,
and murmur:
"Just one kind glance, Henry, one
little kiss, one word of love and praise"
And then as he bent fondly over her,
that cold, fixed expression. which she
had so long worn, would again steal
over her countenance, and mournfully
she added: e.....
"Too late. too late. The heart is
scare and dead. See, little Eve stands
and beckons me to the land of love-
Yes. dear one, | come"
But the crisis cane, and though fee
Bile as an infant, the physicians declar-
ed the danger past. Careful nursing,
and freedom from excitement, would
restore the wife and mother TO her
family.
With unequalled tenderness did her
husband watch over her, but with re-
turning health returned also that un-
natural frigidity of manner. There
was no response TO his words or looks Of
love.
Was it, indeed, too late2 Had his
knowledge of the wants of a woman's
heart come only when the heart which
once beat for him alone, had become as
stone!
It was the anniversary of their mar
rage. Eleven years before they had
stood at the altar and taken those holy
vows. Well did Henry Howard recol-
Iect that bridal morning. And how he
fulfilled the trust reposed in him q
With bitter remorse he gazed upon the
wreck before him, and thought of that
gentle being once so full of love and joy.
An earnest prayer broke from his lips,
and his arms were clasped around her.
"Mary, dear Mary" he whispered,
2 may not the past be forgotten E.
have erred, but believe
me, it has been partly through igno-
rance. An orphan from my earliest
knew not the blessings of
i mothers love. Cold and stern in my
nature, | comprehended not the wants
IF your gentle spirit. see ii all now
your constant self-denial, your untiring
efforts to please, until wearied and dis
your very heart's-blood SEEM
I'd chilled within yon, and you became
he living image of that cold heartless-
ness which had caused the fearful
change"
But may we not forget the past?-I
Will you not be once more my loving,
oyous bride, and the remainder of my
ife shall be devoted to your happi-
less 2"
Almost fearful was the agitation
which shook that feeble frame, and it
vas long before there was reply.
At length, in the words of little Eva,
The whispered
"Oh, my husband my own dear
My heart is glad. l had
hought it cold and dead, but now it
again beats responsive to your words of
owe. The prayers of my angel-child
lave been answered, and happiness
will yet be ours. My dear. dear Eva,
low often have wept as | thought of
ny GOODNESS towards her, and yet all
power to show my earnest love seemed
r