Spirit of the age., 1853-05-25


ty to watch by her in her sickness. She
trembled too, when she thought Of the prob
able termination of the disease, and of the
wide breach the dear girls death would leave
in the circle of twining hearts in which she
had SO long been embraced. But,
" There is no hoek, however watched and tended,
But one dead lamb is there
There is no household, howsoeer defended,
But has vacant chair"
When at length, Mr.. Ware came and fol-
ded Laura to his agitated heart, his tears and
the sable,badge he wore, told the sad tale
of his bereavement. Away in the quiet
churchyard be left his dead lamb sleeping,
but with the eye of faith he looked above the
earth, and saw theimmortal spiritof his child,
mingling with an angel choir, in singing the
songs Of the redeemed.
This life of mortal breath -
Is but the superb to the life elysian,
Whose portal VIC call death,
She is not dead the child of our affection,
But gone into that school,
Where she no longer needs our poor protection,
And Christ himself doth rule.
The stricken father checked the tide of
his own sorrow to pour the balm Of hope and
consolation over the spirit Of the young be-
ing whose trials were far more crushing
than his own. He offered her the best as
sistance and counsel it was in his power to
give, and left her with the grateful assurance
that Isabel should come to her very soon.
The dreary Winter months were dragging
onward towards close, and they had brought
no happy change for Laura. The disorder
of Mrs. Leigh's mind seemedto have abated,
but she continued as helpless and inactive,
and as unreasonable as at first. In order to
indulge the whims of her mother, Laura
found it necessary to dispense with the girl
who had assisted her. She would have
turned her talents and education to profit,
but her present cares and duties were Of a
nature that prevented the possibility of such
thing But she looked with brighter an
| ticipations to the coming Spring, for it was
arranged that they should then all remove
to the quiet little village, where the sweet
family Of Mr. Ware resided and the SYM
patbising physician strongly encouraged the
/ hope that change of air and of scenery would
prove beneficial to the mother, and also to
| Itl6 ulOOplHS llGGIC w dlL6Es
The gentle boy grew moro and moro pen
sive, and seemed whitening and fading away
like tender bud that has been touched by
an untimely frost. Laura watched him day
after day with deepening interest, and she
feared that this, her cherished Joy, was grad
ually and imperceptily gliding from hel
arms. And when at length she saw hin
prostrated with dangerous fever, she nc
longer dared to hope that he would be spar
ed to cheer her lot; yet one mitigating
thought stole on the anguish Of her soul
The entrance Of death might, possibly, ava
} ken her mother from the wretched state ii
which she remained, and to see her paren
s clothed, and in her right mind she fel
would enable her to witness. without sigh
n the flight Of the sinless babe to it's home Of
: high.
= Ono evening she had soothed the littl
G sufferer to rest. and started out to procur
r the medicines prescribed. AS she was has
n tily leaving the street door, she was startle
on hearing her own name uttered in low
e deep tones Turning round, she beheld til
$ figure Of a man, wrapped in a cloak, stand
l. Her first impulse was to retreat into the house
20 hut surely she could have no enemies an
u there was sadness as we'll as kindness in tf
o voice ofthe person who addressed her. Viii
IF she stood irresoute, the stranger steppad fo
u ward in the light of a lamp, and partly II
1t vealing his face, asked,
4 Laura, do YOU not know mo 2
-aI r., - T o,oo -, Il
a now recognized the voice and features
y Herbert Leigh.
N laura, do yon, can You forgive me !? as
g ed the wretched man, in tones Of deep co
Or triton.
ID L have never felt resentment towards 70
You were always kind to me- was the a
IN swer.
lie 'Thank you for that much, dear, genero
h. girl. The assurance somewhat lightens n
a load Of misery, buttell me, how is your mot
ra er?
n Not much improved. You have hear
to perhaps, other unhappy condition.
ne Yes replied the other, with bitter sic
ed land the knowledge has upset all my resoI
lis tons, and destroyed my last spark of energ
ay Oh, Laura, YOU cannot conceive Of my mi
ut ry, and you know not to what depth Of
nd initiation and shame | have fallen. J 8
ay weary, weary of life. But tell me of l
lat boy. have stolen back in disguise to t
le, city, and have been prowling about
streets in the hope of meeting you tha
an might hear from my child.
De 'IIe is very ILL.,, replied Laura, 'and m
me hasten on my errand Immediately. Do
pa detan me longer
Herbert followed her short distance
order to make more minute inquiries, then
turned a corner and disappeared from
sight A few DAYS subsequantto this occ
). renee, he sat in an obscure GROCERY in ce
pany with we'll dressed man, somew
ole Younger than himself This man was r
nes and had been Leigh's associate in the pal
are days Of the latter. He had discovered
rri- presence of his old companion in the city, l
ne sought ont his retreat, had freely supp
~erT the demands ofllis craving appetite, and pl
Cea him with offers of kindness and expressi
en- offriendship. Almost continually under
lrts influence Of wine, Leigh saw not the villa
ald, lurking beneath specious show Of reg
11iI ,,p4;l 4bo ooy,o oc /: i