The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-14

moi 10 dream Of III. future before US
~ NOT 10 weep the wild cares that come DER u.s.
it,rk how Crssiion's deep, musical chorus
rmiting goes up into Heaven. DTS OSsooo
I,was one of those mornings of mellowed
,lorv. that. Ike scattered sheaves In the reap
sr's path. lie where summer has passed. Every
b;r5 and rosebud about Hope Cottage was alive
and awake to It's inspiring beauty. It's mis-
trsss. with face lighted from within as we'll as
from without, had been noiseessly tripping
about. giving those finishing, beautifying
touches. that lie only in gentle fingers, to the
orderly arrangements of her domestic corps.
And now she was sauntering toward the inva-
lids chamber with bowl of gruel-and such
crnsl, il we're worth fit Of sickness to taste
Mrs. HOPES in;mitabe concoction.
In the passage, however, she was stopped,
90 suddenly as almost to overset her precious
cargo.
"OF, Mrs. Hope pardon mel" cried Orr
ara. for she it was bounding forward, on her
vay from the sick room, which she had just
visited FOR the first time since her stepSon's re-
turn to Consciousness.
Il hope have not ruined your dress; but
Ain too happy to see or heed anybody! l am
almost too happy to livel"
Her tear swollen eyes would have made her
words of doubtful import to a stranger.
$50, then, you have seen Hamilton at last"
said Laura, stroking the disordered head of the
excited speaker.
"Ob, yes, yes l could not endure this sus-
peuse any longer; and after lying awake until
sunap rose, and went in alone, and told him
all and oh, my heart is so light!'
HThere is no need, then, to ask how he
received the news ?" returned Mrs. Hope, smi-
Ing gladly.
He never spoke, nor started-scarcely
}reaihod. from the moment / began my story.
made it very short, for / was almost choking.
But he kept those full, bright eyes of his fixed
Oh ne, and oh they spoke more than | could
tell in a life full of years. When | stopped
speaking. lie looked down, and then / saw two
great, heavy tears fall out under the shadow of
the brown lashes.
'0rianal - be said, and took my hand in
both Of his, you have suffered and | have
helped to make you suffer but, believe me,
too have been sufferer Il know it. For
give me was all / could say.
THERE'S nothing to forgive you. have
been wayward, moody, swilful shutting my
eyes to the light of MONDAY, and bewailing
the darkness But | have begun a new life.
God helping, l will help to make glad the re-
naming years Of life that was so early and
heavily clouded. Poor Oriana! Mother, was
the name gave to one long since of the an
yels-it does not beht yoa but be my guard
sister. You Who have Eursed and prayed
me back to a second, better life "
Ia, tears yet in her eyes, here is the Cruel
cooling. Tell me the rest after breakfast ORR
ana. deari" And away she hurried
hamilton hastily lifted his head from the
cushions Of his armchair, as she entered. The
mornings excitement had given faint color
20 his very pale face; and this heightened
by the sunshine, sifteG through the meshes of
crimson curtain upon his forehead and the
tole Of his rich dressing gown. On the table
beside him stood a vase of the choicest late
roses, heiotrope, and jasmine Orana's daily
bulletin, from the fresh world without, to the
SICK room.
My good physician!" exclaimed the young
ma, as his hostess pleasantly arranged his
simple breakfast, in a way to tempt the appe-
tire Of an anchorite-'' NY dear Mrs. Hope
IL, would life have been worth to me, if l had
not net vou?'
rs
Z Is she answered, encouragingly. 81 have
been very anxious for you, Mr.. Grey, that you
might know the real happiness of life. You
seemed to look so obstinately upon the dark
sF'c Of everything"
" les, aud would not be persuaded that God
mad gwen brighter side. 1t was partly my
.auIi, but partly my weakness, Mrs. Hope for
IT was tie mantle my mother wOve for my
'Iirit, deepened and darkened by my own stu
sfdty and selGshness. | can still believe, yes,
h1"or, that earth is not place of joys; that
Il has sOrgows unknown to any but the finely
s'rahg heart. But now see where, even over
S''a' the Sun of Righteousness ariseth,' day
Dy ca with healing in his wings
2eam was in his eve, as he spoke, that told
ar more than his lips had revealed, of the
mango wrought in that humbled yet exalted
sprt.
am very glad" said Laura, softly, as if
SIC reared to break the charm his words had
wrought
But, to real life. as people call it-that is,
lie IN the detail said Hamilton, drawing him.
Sel mp with change of countenance. 1t
ISIS me little to think of carving out fortune
.OF myself; Tor had long ago determined never
owe single obligation to my patrimonial
NSsa'eS was willing to work-and to wait
So' very cheertuly, 1t must be confessed, but
"''H sort OF desperation. Now, it seems to
NE mat paramount duty is laid upon me.
ny i1'her and Oriana are trying to fit their
S ga. Tor the rational use of their freedom.
"hai can they do !? an invalid, elderly gentle
u. man. aud woman so utterly inexperienced in
al ehcep; endurance, as the poor girl who was
- a'eiy but slave herself cursed be the law
'a' inaae her such! They need me; must
- g@A them-not to hinder, but to help for
aN tnelr project. For, dear Mrs. Hope, my
l'4ence has long been stirring in this mat
nillv."
Notwithstanding all you used to say?" in
j-.',I Laura, somewhat puzzled.
an there it was! Be sure that what
1t. : mans constituencies so tenderly
:-A'-SaVery arguments did mine, has warmed
= "aE mo the reason, in some way! None
~ 50 bind, says the old proverb, as those
Da', II was not Of this that | at first intend
=, 70 speak. Ny dear Mrs. Hope he stop
~ singled out sprig of hehotrope, and COM
.'.ceo robbing it, fragment By fragment, of
'"ge'ness-"you have been my good gent
bs De 50 little longer, and look into my
81 have already given you more than a
y, a. nay path in life, fuctuating probably,
ears 10 come; perhaps heavily ciouded by
:, ,; aad poverty. Now, to put the question in
yoaJ pest most unromantic form-would you,
AZ :. sensible lady that you are, advise such
san myself Toto : fall in love-, as the
Is; on, having done so, to marry? ?"
cla;r ,uS very thing for you'll" Mrs. Hope ex-
bs so naiyely and cordially that her en-
smile. f00''ioner eoulo not chooSS pu'
GWpnCI, without making fortune ?" he queried
i no WIS 10 nd To