The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-05-27


Owen, who would be sad if he thought him.
self neglected.
And now she daily visited the invalid: her
buoyant spirits tempered by sympathy for her
increasing suiIcrngs; but still ditiusing such
an atmosphere OF sunshine and hope around
her, that gloom and dependency seemed to
vanish at their presence. Edwards sight
less eyes were always raised TO her bright
face as if he felt the magic influence it i'm
parted.
His mother had noticed all this with
mothers watchfulncss, and. on that dav when
strong in her love. she had undertaken to
break to him the fact which all others shrank
trym communicating she spoke likewise of
Mary, and OF the vague wild hope she had al
ways cherished Of one day seeing her his
wife.
no, mother, no" exclaimed the blind man.
Dearest mother, in this YOU are not true to
yourself. What. Would vou like to see her
i'll all her spring;mc Of youth and beauty
sacrificed to such one as to see Mary
As vou have described her to me- as INV soul
tells me she is, tied down to be the guide, and
leader, and support, of one who could not
make one step in her defence; whose help
lcs>ncSS alone III the ewes OF men. would be
his means Of >heltcring and protecting her :
Would YOU hear her pitrd- our bright
Mary p;,cd- as a Blin! Mans Wife, moth
err
But, EIward,if She loves YOU, as am sure
she does
'Loyc ne, mother. Yes, As angles love
mortal>. a. a sister loves a brother. as Won
love me And .or this hcnirnant love. tins
tender sympathy. could knccl and kiss the
ground she trcads upon; but, beyond this
We're vou to cntrcat her to marry Your bind
and >cit,rv son, and She in pity answered
vr>,-w"E.d accept her on such terms, and
rivct the chains She had consented 10 assume:
Oh, mother mother have not studied ven
in vain. YOUR life has been one long >cl;:->ac-
riirc TO me; its silent teachings shall bear
fruit. DO not gricvc So bitterly for me
God was very mcrcinl in giving me such a
mother: Let Us trust Him for the future
Ah. poor tortured heart.>pcakinc So brave
ly forth. striving to cheer the mothers fail
inc spirit when all to him was dark, dark,
dark
She raised herself upon her pillow. and
wound her weak arms around his neck and
listened to the expressions of incnaE!c love
and faith. and consolation, which her son
found strength to utter. 10 sustain her soul
Yea. in that hour her rcronpcn>e had be
Gun: in loneliness IN secret tears with Chris
tan patience and rnlcavor. with an exalted
and faithful spirit, had She >own: and in
death Size rcapcd her ii9h reward
They had been silent tor some minutes
and She lay back exhausted, bat comro>cl
while he sat beside her. holding her hand IN
his, tancvinc She slept. and anNiou>lv listen
inc to her breathing which seemed more
than usually oppressed. y ru>t!inG wa
heard amid the flowers at the window. and Il
bright voun9 face looked in.
Hush sad Edward. recognizing the step
Hush. Mary. she is asleep
The color and the smiles alike passed from
Mar,'s face, when she cl,icd INTO the room
'Oh Edward, Edward, She is not asleep, Sh,
is very, very i'll"
Mary. darling Mary" said the diving la
dy, with difficulty rou>ing herself; | have ha,
n such pleasant dream: bat | have slept to,
: long 1t is night; let them bring candles
Edward. lcannot see Won now
Night. and the sun 50 brightly shining
o The shadows OF the grave were stealing i,>
upon her.
: Other steps now sounded in the room an,
J. many faces gathered around the couch III,
G the blind man heard no,hing-waS consciiou
! OF nothing. save the painful lahorcd rcspira
+ ton. the tremnlouS hand that huttcred i
o his own. the broken sentences
l. Edward. my dearest, take comfort. hav
= hope. God is indeed mcrcituI'
e oh, Edward, do not greve so sadly.
~ breaks my heart to see YOU cry. For l..
: sake be calm-tor my sake too Mary knc
dowE beside him, and cndravorcd to sootl
lc the voicclcss anguish which it terrified her
Is witness.
e Another interval, when no sound brok
/ the stiffness that prevailed, and again Mr.
$ Owen opened her eyes, and saw Mary knee
"a ing by Edwards side They were associate
r with the previous current of her thought
e. and a smile lighted up her face
e. AS wished, as ! prayed, to die, NJ
II children both. Kiss me, Mary, nv blesSin
50 my consoIcr. Edward, nearer, nearer :
n Child ofso many hopes and prayers-all al
a swered now And with her bright visic
is unalloycd, her rejoicing soul took wing, al
Sc knew sorrows and tears no more
ID Four months had passed since Mrs. Owen
is death, and her son was still staying at Woo
N lands, the residence of Mary's father, Colon
Parker, at abou: two miles distant from f.
1e ward Owens solitary home: hithcr had
r. been prevailed upon to remove, after the fiji
Mt shock of his grief had subsidcd.