The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-30
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 30, 1853.

her hind oeglns to WANDER" whisper
ed the ph ysician tothe father, but tbor
was no reply. A sudden light had broke,
upon that stern man, and motionless h,
stood, and listened to the words of h;
dying child.
But she had already sunk back in =,
apparent slunber, and hour after hon
those calm but agonized parents 81
watching by her Iide, at times aImos
believing that the spirit had indeed GONE
so deep was the repose of that last eaTthI,
slumber.
AT length she arpused, and with IN.
same beautiful smile which had pl,vr,
upon her features when she sunk to resi-
again exclaimed;
81 am so very happy, dear mother; viii
you call me your good, little. Eva once more
In a voice almost sutfocated with emo.
tIon, the desired words were again breath
ed forth, and long and fcrvent kisses i'm.
printed upon the chiid's pale check.
"My heart is so glad" she murmurod
"oh, mother, kiss my brothers when an,
6 me, and smile upon them and call them
good. 1t is like the sunlight OH a cloudy
day.
Put yourface 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 DIVING.
and she will never look so sad anv more
." will, my precious child | wiI! And
the head OF the strong man bowed upon
his breast, and he wept
a change passed over the coun,cnance
of the little one.
"The angels will take Inc now" she
whispered. The eyelids closed, there
was no struggle, but the parents saw that
her mission on earth was ended. Hence
forth she would rejoice in the world wher.
all is light and love.
The mother wept not as she gazcd upon
that lteless clay. She wept not as she
lald the little form upon the bed, and
Strengthened the limbs already stiffcninp
Husband clasped 6ess to; h.s bosom, and
uttered words Of endearing affection, a
wild scream burst from her lips, and she
sunk back in his arms, apparently as un-
conscious as the child who lay before
them.
a long and alarming state OF insensibil-
ty was succeeded by weeks of fever and
delirium.
How many bitter but useful lessons
did the husband learn as he watched by
her bed side. Often in the still hours OF
the night, when all saved himself slum-
bered, she would gaze upon him with that
earnest, loving, but reproachful look, which
he well remembered to have seen in wears
gone by, and murmur:
Just one kind glance, Henry, one
little kiss, one word of love and praise
And then as he bent fondIy over her
that cold, fixed expression, which she had
so long worn, would again steal over her
countenance, and mOurnfully she added:
"Too late. The heart is scared and
dead. See, little Eva stands and beckons
me to the land of love. Yes dear one,
come"
But the crisis came, and though feeble
as an infant, the physicians declared the
danger past Careful nursing, and free
dom from excitement would restore the
wife and mother to her family.
With unequaled tenderness did hel
husband watch;ove her, but with returning
health turned also that unnatural friridit,
OF manner. There was no response u hi,
words or looks of love.
Was it, indeed, too late2 Had his
knowledge of the wants OF woman's
heart come only when the heart, whicI
once beat for him alone, had become a.
stnnel
1t was the anniversary oftheir marriage
Eleven years before they had stood at tn,
alter and taken those holy VOWS. Wei
did Henry Howard recolIcct that brida
morning. And how mad he fulfilled th,
trust reposed in himl With bite
remorse he gazed upon the wreck befor
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 cIasped around her.
"Mary, dear Mary he whispered
may not the past he forgottenl Grievou.
ly have erred but believe Inc, it la
been partly through igno rance. Al
orphan from my earliest childhood, kne,
not the blessing Of mothers love. Col
and stern in my nature, | comprehende,
not the wants Of your gentle spirit. / Sc
it all now, your constant selfdenial, YOU
untiring efforts 70 please, until wearie
and discouraged, your very heart's-bloo,
81 emed chilled within you, and you be
came the living image of tba. cold heart
lessness which had caused the fearful
change"
But may we not forget the pastl Wi
you not be once more my loving, joyou
bride, and the remainder of my life aha
be devoted to your happinessl"
Almost fearful was the agitation whic
shook that feeble frame, aud il was lon
before there was reply.
At length, in the words Of little Eva
she whispered:
"ob, my huslandl my own dear hus
bandl Ny heart is so glad. / had though
it cold and dead, but now il again beat
responsive to your words Of love. TIL
prayers Of m, angel-chid have been an
swered, and happiueaNilI yet b our
NY dear, dear Eva, how oAen have Iwep