The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-12-04


bearing the tale of young heart crushed
and blightcd, Of young hopes chilled
forever. 1t touched even the heart of
the hardened father, and he drew lis
nothcrleSs child close to his side, MUIR
muring " Poor dove! poor Isabel -
Ay, the boggar girl bore the proud name,
and she had graced it in happier days,
when her father was an honorcd and
trusted man when the noblcst vessel
on the board lakes was his own before
rum had ruined a God-likc intellect, and
wasted princely fortune.
1t was dark in those forsalien hearts
even as On Gods earth, and their path
was lost Faster and faster came down
the binding snow, and III their utter
desolation, the wanderers at last sat
down, unable to proceed, and weary with
exertion. And now the neglected isabel
lay folded in the bosom Of the father
whose fallen fortunes she had so devoted
~ shared, and hot tears fell from his
eyes on her pale face.
Isabel, darling, can you forgive me
that | have deprived you of love and
home and everything on earth ? can you
forgive lie for being drunkard %
go, father do not talk Of those
things now; I am happy in dying with
you, dear father"
Shadowy phantoms gathered dimly
around the repenting man, pointing far
back to a lost home and character : to a
grave of a brokcn-hearted wife, and the
fast closing cye-lids Of his gentle daugh-
ter. Broken words of agony and contri-
ton mingled with the hollow dirgo that
the old trees sang over the dying.
lSabeps eyes were shut the father
knew it by bending lis cheek down till
it touched hers, and he felt almost glad
that he saw not the closing of those
beautiful eyes so many a weary day
their light had checrcd him since poverty
and drunkenness had driven him out to
beg for daily bread they were clear and
blue as the water, Of their own beloved
lakes, and they ever looked kindly on
him. Now they were closed the eyes
Of the weary spirit were opened and she
saw such white-wingod angels as had
often iloated dimly through her dreams,
and sun-bright flowers and gushing foun-
tains and dwellings of wondrou5 beauty
were before her.
There thoy are pcrishinc. Though
isabel has earnestly lonccl to die, and
as she rey,cs little from the death
letLar@v, she nestle closer 10 her fathers
BOSOM, Ike an innocent dove, and feels
it is sad to lay down a young life here
in a dreary tempest, 50 far from all OF
life and sympathy p: and once she cazcg
round and sees the wild storm-clouds
parting slowly, and one star trembling
i'll it's distant home. No, It's not Il star.
It's light, and there are sounding foot
steps aud cheering voices.
Ihe father reused himself AT her hur-
ried words, but they were too nearly cx-
haustcd to call for help. Marion heard
faint cry, as Of one perishing it was
just Ike the moaning Of a dove.
Here, Richard, this way with the
lantern !" she exclaimed. as slo bounded
over the snow drift, BY which the wan
dercrs lay. They saw bright face
bonding tondcrly over them, and fel!
that lie was vet theirs. Marion seemed
suddenly gifted with skill and energy tc
restore them and the boys could hardly
believe they saw their wild cousin in the
snow wroathod figure before them. She
poured warm cordials on the colorlcss
lips Of the old man, while James took
the light figure of Isabel in his arms
and wrapped her in his own coat. She
smiled family in gratitude, and entrcatcd
him to go to her father, but he was al
ready standing by his preserycr, anxious
y cnquiring for his daughter. And now
the whole party heard the sound OF
approaching sleigh bells; and Richard
,ioyfully exclaimed
" lis father and mother!'
Though startled to see so strange
group by the road side, the parents sool
understood all, and the old man wa:
Comfortably placed IN sleigh, while the
rest followed In homeward track Jane:
would not give up his rescued charge
and leaning on his strong arm, witt
cousin Marion ever joyous words o
hope IN her car, Isabel felt like one
waking to new life.
1t was late on that eventual nigh
when the blazing fire went out on thu
hearth and all were asleep. In vail
they sought for the rescued dove i