The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-08
more and though his heart was heavy, hope

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kindled bright emilio in his manly face, ), ~
he entered the little parlor, wherc he had
spent SO many hours In exquisite happiness.
He had alighted from the stage just before
il entered the village and proceeded at ancs
10 the residence Of Lucy.
As Mrs. May entered the room, tho smile
on her lips faded, for her pale face told sad
tale to his heart.
"Clarence, dear Clarence, you have the
welcome of fond hearts"
How is Lucy Why is your face deadly
pale, Oh, say she Is not dangerously all;
tell me"-and thought Of misery enteIsd
his heart =" she is-Oh, my God, my Fa.
ther in Heaven, strengthen mc,-she is dy-
ng.-even now, dying +" ,,r
Nay. nay, Clarence" said the mother,
soothinely, Z" Lucy lives, and we must hope
Tor the best but be not alarmed if you SEQ
her face even paler than my own. ~ Are you
able TO bear the sight now !"
There was but little consolation to his
fears in the reply Of Mrs. May. Lucy was
living, but there was an anguish in the ex.
preston, -" hope for the BEST" and he said
hurriedly. "0h, take me to her at once,-
now, 'and he pressed his hand on his throb-
bing brow, and then sinking on his knees.
while Mrs. May knelt beside him, he nnirea.
ted God, in voice choked with emotion. for
strength to bear the trial, n kiss the rod of
10 receive the bitter with the
sweet and prayed that the cup might pass
from hin, even as did his master in the days
of his incarnation and anguish. He Arose,
and in calmer voice said, al can sec her
now"
AT this moment joined them, with Luoy's
earnest request that Clarance should come
to her at once. We entered the chamber
just rs Ellen had partially opened blind,
and the last rays OF sunlight streamed
fairly through in tho room, and fell for
a moment on the white cheek Of Lucy,
rendering its hue still more snowy.
Alas! Clarance. As his earnest eyes met
those Of his betrothcd,-he whom he had
left in the very flush Of perfection. ofyOutk.
ful loyelincss, now how changed! his
heart sank within him, and with wild
sob of anguish he clasped her pale thin fin.
gers, aud kissed her colorless lips, kneel-
ing all the while by the side Of her
couch.
Clarance. my own Clarance," said the
swee. girl. with an effor, to rise, which she
did, supported by his arm. He spoke
moi, ,-he could not, aud he dared not
speak. .. -.
" Clarancc, cheer up, my beloved" but
her iortitude failed, and all she could do was
10 bury her face in her lovers bosom aud
wept. We did not attempt to check their
,ief; nay, we wept with them, and sorrow
or while had its luxury OF tears unre-
strained. ..r..
Clarance at length broke the silence.
"Lucy my own dear Lucy God forgive
me for my own selfish grief :" and he added
ctrvently, lifting his fearful eyes to Heaven.
!. Father, give Us grace to bear this trouble
Alright" aud turning to me, added, "Pray for
us, Doctor,-oh pray that We may have
strength to meet this hour like Chris
,ians. ~
When the voice of prayer ceased, oil feel
ings were calmed, but deeme it advisa-
bic to leave the dear patient TO brief rcpose;
md Ellen alone remaining, we retired
10 the parlor. where Clarence learned from
Us more OF her illness, OF her true condition.
Tor dared not to delude him with ialse
hopes.
doctor said he with visible anguish,
. is there no hope o. H. u
"Not of recovery, ] fear, though she may
niger some time with US, and be better than
he il to-day"
"Then Gods will be DONE" said the
,oung man while u holy confidence lighted
Up his face, now scarcely less pale than thai
Il his betrothed Lucy. nt
Day after day the dear girl fingered, and
many sweet hours OF converse did Clarence
md Lucy pass together; once even she was
TO spend lew moments in the
,ortico of the house, aud Us Clarence sup.
,orted her, and saw tint Of health over
pread her cheek. hope grew strong IN his
leart But Lucy doubled not that she
hould die speedily, and happily this convic-
ion had reached her heart ere Clarance
,ame, 50 that the agony Of her grief in pros.
,ecl of separation fom him had yielded TO
his bissful anticipation Of Heaven, that glo-
ious cline where she would, ere long, meet
hose from whence it was more than death
. part"
.'D.ar Lucy" said Clarence, as they
TODD gazing on tho summer flowers. you
re better my love. May not our Heaven.
y Father yet spare you to me,-to your
,other.-to cousen Ellen,-aod 10 happi.
essW ....
I" All, Clarence, do not speak Of this. Il.
I'LL only end in deeper bitterness. ! must
o, and Clarence, you must not mourn whom
exchange even this brigh, world for the Par
disc Of Immortality"
Clarence could not answer. He pressed
er hand aud drew her close TO bis !hrob-
ing heart, and she resumed, pointing tos
right cluster Of amennth, th,-"See. there
'larence is the emblem Of the life and
nd the joys to which | am Fastening very
,st.p rpN
Three weeks had passed. Il was again the
yening Of the Sabbath. l stood by the
ouch Of Lucy May. Her mother and Ellen
at on either side, and Clarence Hamilton
Imported on pillow in his arms the head
It the fair girl. Disease had taken the
itadel,. and we awaited its surrender 70
leath.
The man Of God, her pastor from child.
,ood, now entered the room, and Lucy
,reeled him afcctionalely; and be said
il it we'll with thy soul 70 She answered
n clear and sweetly conading tone oi
Ioice: III.
alt Is we'll! Blessed Redoemer, thou ast
ny ouly trust"
Clarence now bent his head close 10 The
,ead OF Lucy, and whispered In her car,
N, 40 distinctly that We oil heard. runa
Lucy, since thou may not be milne, IA
lie, be mine in death; let me follow you
, The grave as my welded wife, andH
hall have the blissfnl consolation OF sniic-
pahng reunion in Heaven" n
The eye Of the dying girl lighted up
'iih quick aud sudden JOY, az she smii.
Ugly answered. .f. - ~ IA, 30
al! Is well, 'cla'euce, II would fain
n