Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-04-26

not care for those things any longer;-you will be
left alone, Edward, and that seems SO heartless
and unkind!" r. III. p 81. a.-...a a..T
"Mary," said one other sisters opening the IL
brary-door, "look at these beautiful flowers which
have arrived here for US. Come Edward, come
and see them too.' g.e.-f
They were so accustomed to treat him as one
Of themselves, and were used to his aptitude in
many ways, that they often did no appear to re-
member he was blind. a
The flowers were rare and beautiful, and yet no
doner's name accompanied the gift. Suddenly
one Of the girls cried out laughingly, 81 have
guessed, have guessed 1t is Edward! He has
heard US talking about this ball, and must have
ordered them on purpose for u.s., Kind, good Ed
ward!" and they were loud in their expressions of
dehghtj oil except Mary, who kept silently aloof.
'Mary does not like her fowers!" said Edward
inqpiringly, turning in the direction where she
stood. ... Vs. hta..-.ya. .,....t ...
"No,' she replied sorrowfully, sit is the ball
that do not like, nor YOU thinking about deck
ing US out for. AS if l cared to go!''
"Look at these lovely roses," said the eldest
sister, as they were selecting what each should
wear: "would not Mary look we'll with a wreath
of these roses in her hairp '. .a-l'
ayes, yes, Exclaimed Edward eagerly, sand
let me weave it for her! You know Mary, it's one
of my accomplishments; you were proud of my
garlands when you were a little girl. Will you
trust my fingers for the task! .... -. ...... ..
"Ifyou really wish it, if it does not seem to
triAng yes" said Mary gently, with troubled
expression upon her brow usually SO serene, as
she moved reluctantly away. 'But it must ap-
pear such mockeIy to you, poor Edward!' and
then without waiting for reply, she hurried to
her room, and did not show herself again until the
family assembled for dinner while Edward seat
ed between the sisters who were in great delight
in their anticipation OF the evenings amusements
silently betook himself to his tssk. .. .
Early after dinner, the old-fashioned drawing
room at Woodlands was deserted; the moment
GUS business of the toilet had to be gone through
and then drive of FIVE miles accomplished, be-
fore Mrs. Parker and her three fair daughters
could find themselves at the ball. Edward was
the only occupant Of the room; seated at the piano,
over which his fingers idly strayed, he now and
then struck chords Of deep melancholy, or broke
into passages of pIaintive sadness,
"Alone, alone! How the silence of this room
strikes upon my heart,-how long this evening
will be, without her voice, without her footstep!
And yet this is what awaits me, what is inevita-
bly, drawing near; next week leave the rooi'iIn-
der which she dwells; shall not hear her sing
ing as she runs down stairs in the morning, |
shall not have her constantly al my side, asking
me, with her sweet child-like earnestness, to
repeat poetry, or to give expression to her music.
The welcome rustic of her dress, the melody of
her laugh will soon be rare sounds to mel
Within, around, beyond, all is dark, hopeless SOL
itary. Life stretches itself YEARLY before me,
blind and desolate as am Mother, mother, we'll
plated this for your miserable son! How strange
those last words! l thought of them to-day while
made her wreath of roses and when her sister
told me of the numbers who flock around her,
Every flower brought its warning and its sting!'
"Edward have not made haste! wished to
keep you company, for little while before we
set out You must be so sad! Your playing told
me you were sad, Edward" i
She was standing by him in all the pride of her
youth and lovelness her white dress falling in a
cloud like drapery around her graceful form, her
sunny hair sweeping her shoulders, and the wreath
surmounting brow on which innocence and
truth were impressed by Natures hand.
The sense Of her beauty, Of an exquisite har-
mopy about her, was clearly perceptble to the
blind man; he reyeEently touched the flowing
robe, and placed his hand upon the fowry wreath.
"Will you think Of nae, dearest, tonight! You
will carry with you something to remind you of
me. When you are courted, worshipped, envied,
and hear on every side praises of your beauty,
give passing thought to Edward who lent his
little help to its adornmeDt." go" -N
edward, how can you speak so nockingly L.
You know that in saying this you render me most
miserable.'
"Mserable! With roses blooming on your
brow, and hope exulting in your heart; when life
smiles so brightly on you, and guardian angels
seem to hover, round your path' .,, .,.---..
He spoke in manner that was unusual to him
she leaned thought(plly against the piano, and, a'
if unconscious Of what she was doing, disengaget
the garland from her hair.
"These poor flowers have no Bloom, and th
bright life of mine, as you think it, has no enjoy
ment when think Of you, sad alone, unhappy
returning to your desolate home, Edward .
, dearest" he returned inexpressbly moved
> edo not grieve for me. Remember, my mothe
. left her blessing there!" E'a@'t .' sf' 'at is'
e "Was it only for you, Edward!' F l
r There is moments silence; he covers hi
t face with his hands, hs lofty self-denying spirit
1 wrestles with himself when, gently the wreath ]
r laid upon his knee, her arm is passed around hi