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

no opposition to their children devoting them
selves Increasingly to him, and striving by every
innocent device, to render his afliction les;
poignant and oppressive. But kind as all the
family were, still all the family were as nothing
compared to Mary who was always anxious to ac.
company him in his walks, seemed jealous of hel
privilege as his favorite reader and claimed to be
his silent watchful companion, when, too sad even
to take an interest in what she read, be leaned
back YEARLY in his chair, and felt the soothing in
fuence of her presence. As time wore on, and
some of his old pursuits resumed their attractions
for him, she used to listen for hours as he played
upon the piano. She would sit near him with her
work proposing subjects for his skill, as her old
custom had been; or she would beg him to give
her lesson in executing difficult passage, and
rendering it with due feeling and expression. In
the same way, in their readings, which were car
ried on with more regularity and interest, she ap-
pearcd to look upon herself as the person oblig-
ed, appealed to his Judgment and deferred to his
opinion without any consciousness of the fatigue
she underwent, or the service she was rendering.
One day, as they were sitting in the library, af-
ter she had been for some time pursuing her self
imposed task, and Edward, fearing she would be
tired, had repeatedly entreated her to desist she
answered gaily: .... ., . ..
"Let me alone, Edward 1t is SO pleasant to
60 through a book with you, you make such nice
reflections, and point out all the finest passages,
and explain the difficult parts SO clearly, that it
does me more good than dozen readings by my
self. l shall grow quite clever now thatwe have
begun our literary studies"
"Dear Mary, say rather, ended; for you know
this cannot always go on so. / must return to
my own house next week; have trespassed on
your fathers hospitality, indulgence, and for
bearance too long,
"Leave US, Edwardp' and the color deepened in
her cheeks, and tears stood in her bright eyes
"Not yet!''
"Not yet! The day would still come dearest,
delay it as I might, and is it manlul thus to
shrink from what must and ought to be! have
to begin life in earnest and if falter at the on
set what will be the result! l have arranged
everything: Mr.. Glen, our clergyman, has a
cousin, an usher in school, who wishes for re-
tirement and country air. have engaged him to
live with me as companion and reader. Next
week he comes; and then, Mary, farewell to
Woodlands!
"No, not farewell, for you must come here very
often; and must read to you still, and you must
teach me still, and tell me in your own noble
thoughts and beautiful language of better and
higher things than once used to care for. And
then our walks-oh Edward, we must continue to
see the sunset from the cliffs, sometimes, togeth-
er. You first taught me how beautiful it was
told you of the tnts upon the sky and upon the
boats with their glistening sails, and you set the
view before me in all its harmony and loveliness,
brought it home to my heart, and made me feel
how cold and insensible had been before"
"Ah Mary" ead Edward mournfuliy, smear you
l am no longer blind!'
The book she had been reading fell upon the
ground, she trembled, her color went and came,
as she laid her hand timidly on his arm; indescrib-
able tenderness, reverence and compassion were
busy within her soul
"Sustaner, consoler, guide! Sister above all,
oh, yes, my, sister! Best and sweetest title-say
it again Mary, say it again!'' And sezing her
hand he kissed it passionately, and held it for a
moment within his own, Then as suddenly re-
lnquishing it he continued in an altered tone.
'"NIy sister and my friend until another comes to
claim higher privilege, and Mary shall be for
ever lost to mel"
She drew back, and few inaudibe words died
away upon her lips; he could not see her appeal
ing fearful eyes. Mstaking the cause of her re-
serve, he made strong effort to regain compo-
sure. -.-t ''n
"Do you remember when you were child
Mary, how ambtiously romantic you used to be-
and how you were determined to become duch-
ess at least!" t'
"And how you used to tease me, by saying you
would only come to my castle disguised as wan
dering minstrel, and would never sit between me
and the duke, Edward! Yes remember it al
very we'll, foolish children that we were! But
at least know better now; am not ambitious il
that way uny longer" .f''
ain that way! In what direction then do you
aspirations tend!"
| "To be loved,' said Mary fervently; "to b.
I loved, Edward with all the trust and devotednes
of which noble nature is susceptble-to know
that the heart on which ! lean has no though
save for me-to be certain that, with all my fault
and waywardness, am loved for myself alone
not for-for any little charm of face which peo
pie may attribute to me"
Edward arose abruptly, and walked up an
down the room, which, from his long stay in tn
house, had become familiar to him. "Mary," h
resumed, stopping as he drew near her, "you d
J yourself injustice. The face you set so littl
store BY, must be beautiful, as the index of you
soul, | have coveted the blessing Of sight, were
only for an instant, that might gaze upon you
The dim form ofny mother, as last beheld he