The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-25

Milly had dropped by the bedside, and was
covering her cold hand with choking kisses.
"But one thing that Pve taught you, don't
forget You know what it IL, and it's no harm
to tell you you are pretty-you, to whom beau
ty could only bring temptation and trouble.
You promise never to be wiled away by any
fiattering temT ter Mlly, my girl 2"
"Never! OBJ, no! no, never !" exclaimed Mil
ly shrinking back to smother her sobs in the
heavy damask folds beside her.
"Don't, darling; and God keep you"
She paused moment, clasping her hands in
silent prayer
"Bring Frankly to me" she murmured, more
calmly. "No, don't ring don't want Rosa.
Co." And she waved her hand toward the
nursery door.
Milly went, and came back with babe of
seventeen months, whose round, rosy cheek lay
warm upon her shoulder, dimplng even in its
dreams.
my baby-giye"- said the mother family
stretching out her wan, wand-like arms for the
cherub.
"You can't hold him, missis his heft is anna
ling"
But the young mother clasped him to her
heaving breast as he was laid upon the pillow
beside her. with q sudden violence that pressed
apart his baby eyelids. His blue eyes strained
far open, and his lip rolled over in vague fear
at first but, seeing the face he loved best look
ing down upon him, he started wide awake,
with crow of joy.
mamma, pretty" he lisped, catching at
the embroidered frill of her cap, which had
fallen against his face
ooh, my child my boy my Frankly how
can | 60, and Leave your God knows what
will become of you !"
fresh fit Of coughing here interrupted and
nearly sufocated her. The frightened babe
shrank away, with low cry, from her distort-
cd countenance, and clutched close the cape Of
Milly's dress.
Don't don't grieve so, missis. You've said
God will take care of him and tciH stay
with him.
"Oh, Milly remember that They will tell
you, you can be free and know you cam
know-you ought to-you should be-you shall
be-if l-can bring it sc" she struggled to say
"But don't leave my poor baby then He
won't have anybody-to care for him. Per
haps-perhaps he-will have another mother
A slight CONFUSION trembled through heI
frame, and
"And oh there'll be nobody to love him but
you! Watch him, Milly; watch him, as
will out Of Heaven. Promise me, child, that
you neUer will try to leave him, and then can
60 Promise
II PROMISE" exclaimed Milly, feryently,
pressing the child to her heart.
BLESS you for it! Now, let me--kiss him
once. Darling! he won't know mamma when
she isis dead You'll tell-him all about
me--won't you?" she breathed family.
Milly tried in vain to answer
My precious-my only boy Oh! if God
would let me take you, too But HIS will be
donel'"
She kissed his forehead, lips, cheeks and
hands, with her icy, colorless lips, murmuring
inarticulate prayers and blessings then sank
back, nearly senseless
| Her vinaigrette revived her in a moment
and, unwilling to lose sight Of her child again,
she motioned request to lay him in the crib
at the opposite end of the room. The little fel
low was restless in his wakefulness and it was
a full half hour before Milly, with all he,
coaxing, strokng, and rocking could sooths
him again to sleep Then she stole back Il
Mrs. Lewis, who had lain almost motionless
with an occasional gurglng cough.
The storm had spent its fury. Its bowling
! were dying away in the distance. In pause
; the clock Of the hail struck, distinctly, one.
He--won't GOMEZ" she shaped with a las
effort. God bless him-and you-and baby
She turned her glazing eye on Milly the
!, upward, till it caught the reflection of a Sci
8 aph's smile-then closed it to open on eternity
TO BE Continued.