Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-09-20

"HOu indoent thing =" exclaimed Lena I'M
,eriously. "Go get them quick, cannot wait
i'll night. Don't sit there hesilating.
Meta cast o shiverng glance al The stormy
ky-but she knew it would be useless 10 re-
for her father was not there. AS
ihe arose, Mrs Clay handed her thin brocha
shaw and a common bonnet Meta glanced
IT them and said, "oh, don't send me out so
hinly clad. 1t is very cold, let me wear my
.losk."
"Hush, GIRL" imperi usiy said Mrs. Clay,
10 humor you would take half my husbands
income"
al wonder papa does halfso much for you as
he does" said Lena.
''He is my own papa" said Meta, "and he
loves me as much as he does those he shelters
beneath his roof"
"Mrs. Clay sprung 10 her feet IN passion,
exclaiming, "Ycu saucy thing! How dare you
sneak disrespectful of me or Lena! Go on
YOUR erand immediately" and the thinly clad
motherless girl was sent out in the rain TO per
form trifing errand, which required her 10 20
10 the other end Of Broadway, and the stepl
mother and step sister sal on u luxurious bou'
d1ir, Ieveling in Sumpiuous elegance.
Mr.. Clay passed out of his rich store on
Broadway, aud walked hastily along The pave
ment, thckly and warmly clad in his heavy
over. coat and fur cap, large umbrella shield
ing him from the binding seel and rain. As
he passed a lofty dwelling with high mar
Bile steps, he heard moan strangely low and
plainlive, and he murmured-some poor beg
ger girl, suppose; pity ior girl out in this
storm.
Then low means and sobs rose up and fell
on his ears. He stood IrreSolue. The wind
blew the rain and sleet harshly in his face
He thought OF the warm, pleasant sitting room
at home, with lis soft carpet and crimson cur
tains and velvet lounges and cushioned lock.
ing chairs. He thought OF the warm kiss with
which Meta would meet him. Then like
starting voices bidding him TO turR back, came
those plainlive moanS, and in moment he
stood by the marble steps of the lofty dwell
ling.
/ he girl was half sheltered by an umbrella,
beneath it he caught bright CLEAN Of geor-
geous cashmere. Who could lie moaning on
those marble steps robed in such rich material!
He hastilyt re the umbrella from the clasp Of
he red, Slirened fingers; but the girl, slen-
der thing, lay with her face down on the cold
white marble. She did not see the man by her
side, but moa ned on, aud Mr.. Clay could hear
faint childish voice Saying-"Oh, papa Come
|
cold rain"
Oh, why in those low, touching tones was
/ thete familiar sound, q household tone that
thrilled Albert Clay's heart with vague, in
distinct sense Of pain? In moment the shiv-
efing childish ioim was caSpea in his arms.
Then the pale, wei face, with its faint, white
features met his gaze. Ii was his own daugh-
ter Meta For moment all was dim before
his eyes, and the S,Iong man sank family on
the marble steps where his child had lain in
J agony. Then he saw the parcel OF worSed ly-
ing on tie pavement, and he comprehended ii
all, and he was nerved again. As he claSped
Meta to his heart she opened her blue eyes on
him and sS they rested ON the Saddened face
bending enderly over her, she murmured faint
Iy-"ls it you. papa Oh, am glad that on
have come 10 lake me home. Tale me home
10 mama-my angel mamma" and d tiny arm
was casped Ii .htly about his neck, and gold
, ell head rested confdlngIy in his bosom. Net
Ia was unconscious
Then the father went on, merely pausing t
, order physician. He hastily went up tn
!, steps of his mansion, entered without ringing
S and with his heavy OverShoeS and dnppin
q hat, he entered his wile'S rich boudoir and lal
II Netla on sofa.
II Lena and Mrs. Clay grew icy pale. The
t saw pail folding tightly around their futur,
v Here is a specimen Of your love towards m
: child. See your work, you hesrtless, crut
is woman," said he sternly, as he glanced lc
The first time upon them.
}. The doctor came at last. Meta fell into
% quiet slumber, which soon changed into brc
IS ken, troubled Slumber, and her cheeks bega
d 10 glow with ihe crimson light of fever heat
At intervals she awoke, mutterlng incoht
Il (. .L.,. l,.,l.N La.
is she was ravlng in deirium All day tbroug
shat huShed, darkened chambet rang Meta
voice -pleoding at times, then in fr:ghtf
lg tones like those OF wounded bird; then so
ra tened down to cadence low and mild as II
flow Of still waters. Then she would moa
il again, and her earnest voice would be hear
r. -"Oh, mother, it is SO cold, and the shawl
OF very thin, let me wear my cloak" Then 81
1e would sob with outslretched arms, "Oh, pal
as come and take me home. The wind blo'
ks and it rains very hard. Come after me, T.
own p. pa, eau 60 no farher."
Ss The m, silc hour Of midnight had come wi
Ii its mysterious soleInnily. Within Mr. Cla!
II IN ,nSon all was huShed. There was no llg
al burning save in the chamber Of the dying Nel
o Meta was calmly sleeping. The hectic SIC
h. that had flushed her cheek had utterly dl
d.; away, and il vas as snowy wkite as the pilC
on which il rested. Her eyes were shut a
q. her golden curls lay in beautiful confusic
- over the pillows and her Tiny hands we
claSped above her head. The fathers tre
N. bling fingers lay on the pulse OF one Sm
N wrist aud the DOCTORS on the other. &C
I she live, doctor 7" eagerly asked the father.
air "She is waking now,' said The doctor.
nd Slowly the large blue eyes unclosed, tn
light was as sereGe as the azure Of an uncou
lly ed summer sky, and as they sought her faith
IRE seraphc smile wreathed her lips, and I
N. childish face shDne as if angel wings We
- shadow wing it with their divine presence. Th
he she said, 81 have been away, haven't
papa :"
IRE ''No, Netta," was the reply, ''you ha
ing been on the bed, and your own papa has be
wotching beside you" =.
>" "Bn, have been away" she said earne
m. ly, alt was o very bright beautiful place, VIII
| heard sweet, lOwvoices. and they whiS pc
RS. to me that it was the city OF Light, where III
nd never was any clouds or storms, and there Y
el- long, wide, golden river there, river
my flowing gold, aud beautiful trees rose by II! d
le- voices, sweet as the flow Of The rivers wa
whispered that they were The trees OF Lie
ing And saw the angels, papa, and they VI
et, white, and they had crowns Of sunlight
ain golden harps, with which they made music
es- And saw mamma, and she asked me to co
ms and live in the city OF Light with her. n