Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-01-16

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ing that the quiet loneliness Of the night
was m emblem Of the peace that shell
tered that fair brow with its angel whis-
perings Of the better land from the
fear of death, yet tears would fall ct
this thought, until the moonlight was
hid in their mist, and l turned away to
watch the soft breathing Of the uncon-
scious Mabel. X 5 sse III
AS the heavy folds Of the curtain fell
back to their place, a quick motion
from Mrs. Lynn brought me near her
couch, where her first glance could fall
upon my form.
:" Maude safe, thank God!'' she
murmared, as I knelt beside her and
kissed her hands which lay folded over
the white sheet, one of them with great
bruises across the delicate fingers.
She lifted her uninjured hand and
laid it upon my head, while she talked
to me as the dying only talk. I do not
think she saw Mrs. Lynn, for she did
not notice her, but in low, sweet tones,
such as I had never heard but once be-
fore, tones that always breathe Of the
music that swells the air of the golden
city where angels abide, she whispered,
.'Maude, l am dying-going home
where, Jesus is, and my Alfred. ]
shall not live to see Helen Lee, my Sis
.ter,-tell her to forgive me my pride,
and think kindly of poor Mabel for Al
fred's sake, and tell her to lay me by
him, near my mother; you, my Maude,
will follow me there, and plant rose
for Mabel. And there is another,-l
would ask you to look in the Ay-leaf Of
my little bible in our room at school,
and read the name there; send it to
him; tell him Mabel sent him her dying
love, and would meet him in heaven, dc
you understand me, my darling ?"
] only bowed my head over that face
and sobbed, ooh! Mabclv'
The hand passed carcssingly over my
brow, as she went on in that same sweet
low tone, 81 want to talk to you, you
must not weep so, Maude I; l want to
tell you what comfort your love has
been to me, how l have loved you il
my own way, but yet dear as a little
sister you are to me, like the little
Blanche we laid long years ago beside
my father ere ten summers had dimmet
life's brightness or cast a shadow o'el
her pathway. I am talking wildly, my
love, and it is growing dark-are thu
lamps dim! can you see my face
Maude ?" e
Almost there was my poor Ma
bel, and 1 felt the touch Of the death.
angels wings as he drew nearer, ane
laid his icy fingers upon her heart.
"She is dying" whispered Mrs
Lynn, as she felt her already cold feet
eyes, Maude, I am dying, going home
to our Saviour. You, my poor lamb
my wee one, have no one to guide you
but remember Mabel's last words, anC
love and serve the Saviour, love and
serve Him-Mot is tit makes deatf
easy and heaven sure. Now kiss me,
Naudc, and lie down beside me as yor
did last night, y and lifting her unhur
arm, she drew me close to her, murmur.
ing I" it was my grief last night, but
| JOY tonight, while for you it is dark
dear Maude, love the Saviour. -
lay there until the arm around my
neck grew heavy, and the face winter.
and colder, until her lips compressed
with slight struggle, and Mrs. Lynn
closed the long dark fringed lids over
the blue eyes, and I knew Mabel Lee
was dead.
combed out those shining curls, and
clasped cluster Of them in her hands,
then left her sleeping calmly the un-
troubled sleep. Tonight the rain drops
patter wildly against the window panes,
and I have unshrouded her memory,
reverentially and tenderly, while on
my lips again hath rested, the name
have read on her maidstone, Mabel
Zee. saR t5'-s 5.-a.,
/ At twenty, life, with its ftful sunlight
and shadowy clouds, was over, and Ma
bel laid with the dead, yet to one she
ever lives, in the soul beauty Of her
life, and the glory and peacefulness of
her happy death. l never forget that
her last act was for my safety, and her
last thought for my eternal welfare !;
that I was nearest to her when she first
beheld the "pearly gates, . and caught
the last look from those azure eyes, and
when one has been thus with those they
love best, their memory is imperishable.
Mable Lee, other names have, and may
yet pass away from my heart, but thine
never, until we meet where call tears
are wiped away" in the New Jerusa-
lem 8soae aa'ias'a''1 SSH %. -s
I followed Mabel to the grave, knelt
oycrthe fresh laid turf with her naughty
sister, and ..beheld that proud spirit
bowed in agony over her precious dust.
| saw the rose bush planted near her
head, and plucked fresh grass from her
grave as fond mementocs of the fair
wlthercd flower beneath, and then went
back to M to miss Mabel as we
always miss the loved ones who have
0ied. faa sgs' ss.G'as sss sases ss8
Everywhere / missed her, but most