Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-11-16


strangers of different lands, without any common
sympathies, and spoke of that which interested
neither, and mocked each other with hollow COM
pliments and then, with cold clasp of the hand
and formal bow they parted. Ida's heart had
never beat SO sluggishly as at that moment, and
her lip might have been moulded of iron.
/ They met again, and yet again, and again, and
still Ida's voice seemed chilling, her lip severe,
and her manner almost repellant. She felt that
she was unknown ; and the entire sunshine and
beauty of years of dreamy bliss seemed to her
darkened in moment. Finally, however the
smile upon. her lip began to beam with soul,
dewiness crept to her eye, a softness gathered
about her heart, and words were spoken which
could never have been addressed to any other
She knew, though he did not say it, that her poet
friend had begun to recognise his beautiful nvis-
ible, and the broken spirit-link was melting into
itself and conjoining. There was something, too,
in his voice, which went down into her heart, and
touched chord that had never before vibrated.-
On sudden, all the boarded wealth of her nature
was stirred. The angel sprang up and spread
pair of wings gloriously beautiful. The swelling
buds burst into full blossom, raising cloud of
perfume. A thousand little harps were tuned, and
at every breath she drew, her bosom quivered with
the rich gush of memory. And her hand, and her
lip too, quivered, and her voice grew tremulous
with strange emotion. The hour of release had
come. A finger from without had touched the
hidden spring. and the long prisoned spirit of Ida
Ravelin was free But it did not leap from it's
cage exultingly. The atmosphere of earth
an untried element to it /; and there was still
hand striving to hold it back But Ida Ravelin
was no longer mistress of her own nature. The
weak hand trembled-the tumult increased-and
the wild flood bounded past the slight barrier.-
The angel was triumphant No wonder that Ida
was perplexed, and overcome with doubt and
dread, trembling at the present, and refusing to
look on the future. The low, melodious tones of
her poet friend were full of encouragement and
hope, but his eye was earthly. -s
| He could not see down into the depths of spirit
which his voice had stirred, and understand the
cause of the tremulous lip and quickened breath.
Gently, and with patient Kindness hour after hour,
he strove with poor Idas weak timidity, until his
words became for time, strength to her, and, at
last, most confdingly she placed her hand in his,
to be taught and guided.
The noble poet and his Ida (his before Heaven,
though only the pure above would know how to
recognize the tie that bound them) stood in the
night air, with clasped hands and clasped spirits.
| The stars up in heaven looked kindly upon
them, and the wind swept by, kissing warm lips
and dallying with curls, and touching with soft
wing brow which bore the Deity's own impress.
Far before them stretched the still waters of the
most beautiful lake in the world with the lights
from the opposite shore twnkling through the
trees, and flashing out upon it in sudden gushes,
which broke and departed, leaving their places to
others; and behind them swelling the tones
of cunning instruments, bearing on their wings
of melody the sou-laden voice of women
| The full moon was far up in heaven, and cast up
on the water broad CLEAN of golden light. A
little boat would now and then shoot across this
moon-gift, the oars flashing with diamonds as it
went, dragging after it long, glittering train;
and then it would steal silently along the shore,
and the rough boatman would rest on their oars
and feast their eyes on beauty and their ears on
melody, and perhaps dream of holier things than
had ever found place in their thoughts before.
"The angels have paved pathway of light
our path of life, dear Ida.'' .--<
! In a moment cloud passed over it, shadow
fell and the path was broken. Ida raised her
DARK, penS1Ve eyes 10 tne poets lace, uuC Her
voice was shut in her heart.
| eft is only for moment. Some steps must be
taken in darkness. We yet on earth, and
earth is place of shadows. But mark the brill
/ lance beyond, as though the portal to Paradise
were already thrown open, and its glory lighted
up our way as we draw near our heaven of rest.
It is beautiful path, my Ida!''
"Beautifu!''
Ida Ravelin responded mechanically, but she
rested her cheek in her palm, and silently traced
her own steps all along the emblematic path. 1t
was narrow at frst and broken. Dark waves
came up and parted the light. then it would rush
together again, the bright rpples kissing and com
mingling. Further were other little breaks,
but the briliance grew broader and stronger
she went on, until she came to the shadow.
| cit has been heavy one,'' thought Ida-sthis
) disappointment and this struggle; but-why strug-
gle! sUnzike others'-it was whispered in my
infancy-it steals up from the sod, every time
, kneel beside her grave. My mother-my angel
mother! I can keep my treasures for the eye of
Heaven,' as thou badest' me, but must be true to
my better nature saf t..a5a- sa.
: The spirit in her bosom arose and asserted its
might. A serene smile sat upon her lip; steady
light came to her eye; and her quivering pulse
calmed itself and beat with slow triumphant ear
nestness. Her companion looked at her and
wondered at the change. :.#- ~ -.
ssIt has been heavy one, but now am tree!'
The words passed from her lips in low murmur,
IL I,,x -