The Cecil Whig., 1857-02-07

strange dreams. I thought stood under
the open sky, and heard. far above me. the
warbling of wonderful bird. Shading my
eyes from the clear sunshine in which it soar
cd. could see with its eilver plurnage float
ing in the higher air, SO airily, as if itself
were only spirit. held my hands upward
beseechingly, bcckoned and lur,d it to ns.
and almost before was we'll aware, it had
huttcred downward and was resting with
low music on my breast.
A strange shadow crossed my dream. An
evil spirit seemed to take possession Of me:
and with rash hand struck the bird and
tore its silver plumage. 1t tnestled moment
longer. clinging to my bosom with trembling.
bleeding wings. and then fell dead at my
feet. woke shuddering, and my eyes were
full Of tears.
IT was wildly beautiful spot to which
Grace Rosenberg led me, on the following
day, At the fnot of rugged hill crowned
with fir trees, lay lovely little lake, white
with water lilies that swaycd to and fro on
| their reetly stems with every motion Of the
wind. A cottage had stood Oh its margin:
but was now in rains.
| gathered handful Of lilies and gave them
to Grace.
oh, if could but sec them" she sud
denly exclaimed. "lf I could look unce
more at the cottage. and the pond, and the
lilies Only ONCE t,1ore!'
Poor child !" cried, "what affection
can be equal to this"
But the shadow which had moment ago
darkencd her spirit was a tleeting one, and
already gone. Laughing lightly she answers
cd, Don't speak so pityingly! thousand
suffer heavier affections than I. My health
is perfect my spirits are light. my master
and schoolmates love me. and when | am
singing the beautiful songs Of our German
masters, forget. almost, that am blind. "
] cannot describe that golden afternoon.
nor record much that was said as Grace and
| fingered by the lake. 1t is like dream in
my memory. beautiful, but with an unreal
sweetness. Hour after hour passed by, and
we sat in the shadow of the fir trees, in the
fragrance Of the lilies learning more and more
OF each others outer and inner life. told
her my history. in return for her own conf
dence, and she listened with eager interest.
told her Of my orphanagc, Of my desolatc
home. Of my long waI,dcrings in foreign
lands.
And now" added, tomorrow must
again renew my journey"
TO morrow :" repeated Grace, $50 soon'"
''ics. Tomorrow. ! have already outstay-
enemy allotted time, and many things now
combine to call me back. hare spent the
happicst days Of my absence in this little
German town. Here have heard tho voice
of the sweetest singer in Germany. and
shall 80 home and wait to hear, before many
years. Of her fame and glory. foIcsec for
you. Grace.a brilliant career"
| .ph k,r NIL, I fcho hoS
her face narrowly, but there was no express
sion Of plea sed vanity or awakened ambition.
"Will it net be so, Grace2" r.. -.
| II suppose So" was the cold reply.
"Is it not such life as yon would desire
Will you not glory in such a career :"
NO"
What then would make you happy b
Tell me Grace. Remember l am your
| friend"
A deep emotion secm,d to possess her for
\ moment and to choke her utterance, but
she overcame it, and answered calmly and
sadly, This is what should like--a happy
| home. quite peaceful hoinc, such as other
| women have. \ secure and calm retreat,
away from the excitement and glory of the
world. where could be happy useful and
beloved. This is what | would ask. what
shall never have because | am blind"
! land your voice-what would become Of
that g.
"Oh would sing from morning till night
in such home as that. and it would be Stich
joy to me! For should not be exhibiting
my powers before curiol scrowd, but singing
out ofmy heart before God and the angels, and
the one loved g.
| At this moment. it was when we were re-
| turning homcward VIC could distinctly hear
| the class singing in the grove. remember
their song. for 1t accorded sinSalary with
our conversation, and years afterwards, when
all was changed, heard it once again. 1t
was more like chant than song, and had
this constant refrain, on which their Voices
dwelt with peculiar nonr1fulnsss.
'Hone and peace
Home and peace arc not for me-"
paused under the shadow of the cedar tree,
where once before had made Grace linger
with mt. Looking forward into the future,
it was blank and dleary without the love
and companionship Of this rare and gentle
spirit. might 30 away on the morrow, as
I had designed, but must carry with me
the haunting remem brance Of this blind, beau
tiful face. Life looked empty and forlorn.
"Grase Rosenberg" said, and took her
hand in mine. " We have known each other
but few days, yet my heart has gone out to
you IS never before 10 another being. You
are beautiful. gifted, afIectionate and pure
and love you. Home and peace shall be
yours if you will share THIN with me-"
bent earnestly over her 10 read the an
swer in her face before it found expression in
words. Her eyes swan in tears, and her
lips trcmbled as she said.
"a blind girl--can you make blind girl
your wife g.
If the blind girl can love me, Grace"
y moment her face trcmbl.d in tears, then
with Blaming look she turned her sighllcss
eyes upward, and in her own strange, simple
fashion said,
"Dear God! thank Thee for this gift Of
love. Make me worthy to share and ble.s
his home!"
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK