The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-01-29
Echo ana s Reebo Of aas that spay

to which, in bis days Of gaiety, he had
even aspired. ~ '7.II -.I-.
Aud Lucy? Her heart beat with
warm, generous bounds as she heard his
praises, and though itseemed so hope
less, she loved him better, because with
more reverence, than in earlier, happier
days. ,eo rrI 0.Ia 'ii SD '' '.e
One day, at sunset, as she sat at work
that poor little heart of hers gave sud-
den great bound of mingled great JOY
aud fear as she saw Henry Strickland
open the garden gate. With tremu-
lous haste she smoothed the soft hair
from her forehead and adjusted her blue
neck-ribbon, as he entered
~ happened to call on poor widow
Lane a few minutes ago." said he, with
out waiting to sit down, "and she seems
failing very fast. She begged me to
come for you, Lucy. Will you 60 and
watch with her this evening 7"
ut is almost dark" said Lucy, glanc-
ing timidly from the window and
dreading the long walk to the widows
hut. ,r.. oI go. .-
II will 60 with you, J" said Henry, aud
without further words Lucy prepared to
accompany him. ''.
The poor old woman uttered cry OF
joy as Lucy's sweet face appeared in the
doorway. 2f&
"God bless you I" she said. 81
knew you would come to see me die, for
you have taught me the truths both OF
life and death. May your life be as
peaceful as death, Lucy Hale "
Henry gazed in mute astonishment
during this warm greeting, looking with
mingled admiration and wonder on Lucy
who, half afraid, yet serenely calm,
smoothcd the old woman's pillow and
cooled her burning forete cad. %
"Mr. Strickland" said the widow
you have been good to me. You have
helped me wonderfully during this last
sickness of mine, but if you wish to know
what charity is, learn Of this poor girl ~
'Oh, hush do not talk so," wbis
pered Lucy, pale with agitation, but
the old woman would speak.
Many time when she had hut lit
tie herself, she has shared it with me
because l was so helpless Many a
tim, l have eaten of her scanty loaf,
and often, after day of hard work, she
has watched all night by my sick bed.
Lucy Hale, when you get to heaven,
God will reward you Il cannot"
Lucy timidly glanced at Henry. His
eyes were fixed ON her with strange
softness. He, who had once cared for
nothing but beauty, was beginning to
learn that there is no love like that be-
tween conjugal minds, having one pur-
pose, one hope, one happiness in life
He drew nearer and leaned over the
bed to hear the widows now broken and
indistinct words. There was no need
to watch there long. In q half hour
she was. dead. -.ut
Some neiehbors were called in, and
Henry and Lucy walked homeward. =
They dill not mention the scene they
had just witnessed both were too full
OF emotion, but they talked OF the past
and their old friendship,
"Tbose were happy times, were they
not, Lucy :"
+" Yes, they we're very" said Lucy,
with her eyes bent on the ground.
"There have been none since SO hap
py," continued Henry, "but l do not
Judge by that, that there never can be.
We are both richer in the wisdom of
life than we we're in those careless, hap
py days. We have learned lessons of
charity and self sacrifice, and are better
and will be happier for them. Isit not
so, Lucy :"
And Lucy answered "yes, Though the
remembrance of all the sorrow through
which she had passed, made her heart
less hopeful than his.
A year is past Henry Strickland
sits again in his library. reading letter
from lola, and smile of real pleasure
lights up bis face as he reads the light
hearted words traced by her who vas
once bis idol now loved with cbastensd
and paternai affection. ,,;
"You arc the source Of az my happE