Litchfield enquirer., 1855-03-08

though their hearts would break then gath. cred calmness, and while the old lady clasp. ed the |" o hands of the Magdalen, the old nan placed his hands upon her head and spake:
 "Our daughter fled from us while in the beauty of her girhood-fed with a stranger who wooed her by false words to fearful sin: Enc child of our old age, it almos, broke our hearts; and we came here, far away from the haunts of early years. to spend the remnant of our days in strug- gle to forget. We cannot forget, but We long since forgave; aye, before we heard that she was dead. We have learned to be happy. even with the memory of trial ever before us. But we miss the hopes that were born with her. and we would cherish you and your babe as we should her and hers. had she come back ere she repen.ed, as they told US, and died"
 The old mans voice was hushed. There was no sound but that of sobs. save when the babe cooeI its little love-song. Acry of agony burst from the white lips of the stran- ger, as loosening the hands that held her, she fell at the feet of those who had been so true; cry, and then words.
 " Father! mother! she did not die |; she lives! l am she; your Lizzie; your lost, found child !'' "a
 Let the curtain drop. It is scene too holy for any but the sight of God and an- gels.
 "Yes," said the grandmother, ssit was their long lost. and as they thought, dead Lizzie. She, herself, had forged the story of her death, to secure herself in the sin she had learned to love. But when, after years of wre.chedness and crime, she became her self-when she felt upon her breast the touch of pure and holy lips-then she be- came herself again, and felt how much, how deeply she had sinned and she longed to have her babe nurtured as she had been. l. was long ere she could escape from her sim ful associates but she at length succeeded and reached, as have told you, her fathers house. She meant to conceal herself till they were asleep, and then leave the babe and go away; for she had no hope they would cherish her again--for, Q. she was very vile. But the cold was so intense she dared not leave the child, but was forced to keep it to her breast, and worn and weari- ed with her long and tedious struggle with the drifts, at length became benumbed, and could no longer still the cries of her li!tl. one; and thus was brought hack to love, .o home, to Christ, by the voice of the angei on her heart"
 The old lady ceased her story. and there was no word spoken for n iuf,g While. Then st,e young maiden broke it, saying, "AEd what became of them all }"
 Tine two aged parents lived near score of years, happy in the love of their restored child. and in the caresses and tender care of her little one. They lie buried in the old church-yard. The grand-child lived to be blessing to her mother for five and twenty years, then passed away. leaving lit,Ie one to make good her place. Mo,herless ere it had seen the face of her who gave it birth, itwas fa,herless ere the year was out" Another pause.
 Yes. il is haunted hear,h-.tone, this. Those aged Christians, that beautiful young mother, at noble father-they haunted il not as did ghosts of oiien times, making it weird spot for the heart, hut with such holy memories that the hour spent in communion with them seems like avisit in better and.'
 !" Heafihstones are ever haunted, hu: few, like this, have angels for their guests"
 The anniversary of that bleak winters night came round. The fire burned as brightly as before, the room was as warm and rosy; bu, the young girl kneeled now before the fire. There was no lap for her to rest her head upon-the old arm-chair was empty. The hearth.tone was haunted by another spirit-a spirit ,ha. had sinned, suf- (ered and been JorgiUen.