Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-03-05

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| loosed it and told her to go before
while followed. She tossed back her
curls and went bounding ahead at a rate
my strides were hardly equal to. Still
kept my eyes on her. After while
we come into a low brook-course be-
tween two hills, over the foremost one of
which could just see the chimneys of
brothers house. / looked about me-
no one was in sight--rescue was impos-
sible. The Devil whispered, Now !
Then called to the child TO stop, saying
that l must look for something l had
dropped. She obeyed, and stood anus
ing herself with making wreaths Of the
violets which grew by the water-course
while l stopped to find heavy stone
which might do my bidding of vengeance
surely and silently. All around me in
the bed of the brook were nothing but
f pebbles. walked few steps farther
down in my quest, and went out Of sight
around clump of alders. The little
girl must have thought me leaving her,
for, all at once, l heard her call, gently,
, am waiting for youl'
Gracious Godl Who spoke? Do the
, loved that are forever lost cry to US out OF
, paradise !? Il am waiting for you? the
, very message that, Is years ago foated
down through my prison-bars from her
whom the Father had just numbered with
:: his saints.
I stood up and wandered back, more
5 dreaming than awake, to the spot where
i George Markham's daughter had staid
r plating violets. She turned to me with
smile, and said, i do not mean to hurry
;, you Sir, but my father is very unwell,
b and l ought to be at home. Will you
If please tell me how late it is?'
\ For the first time after those fifteen
l prison years, in which knowing toll and
S darkness only, l had asked no other
II measurement of time, l mechanically put
5 my hand to my breast and drew out my
# restored watch. Was sane? The sec
l. ond hand, stopped at the last kiss of ago
: ny given me hy my beloved, whether by
rt miracle, or the agitation of my grasp,
know not, suddenly moved on. Like :
d lightning flash rushed on me the memory
Is of my VOW Till we meet this watcI
st shall never count time again.
+ Yes, we had met-met in that voice o
# quiet waiting-met in this wondrou
ir omen of the watch-met when | knew
lie it not-when she was seen by none bu
10 God and her sister angels. And thu
" wrathful embers went out in the breas
of John Markham, and, viewlessly how
he ering over him, the long cherished dea
Mt smiled blissfully as she saw that in tha
ID moment there had entered into him a ne,
IN soul.
ny 1 clasped the little one in my arms.
i'd told her that her father was my onl
We brother, and then waited humbly to Sc
s. her recoil from the loathsome convic
u But with childlike JOY she hugged m
h. closer around the neck, and cried, Oh,
y. am so glad am so glad Poor pap
en- has been talking about you these foU
I'd days, and saying--but oh, he must nj
Ell die IL can not die till John come
On homep
sr- With reverent step, and bowling loV
OF I came into the room of my dying brotl
'r- er. His pale face flushed and paled agai
ast as he saw me, and then hiding it in ii
ay pillow, he cried, Look not on me. &c
is wreaking his wrath on the devil WI
5 wasted your life!'
to Not so, my brother answered, so
ny emnly; l from my soul forgive yo
ny How much more shall He who pitiet
en his children? For me, He hath this d.
en-, wiped out the past like a tablet; al
,ed looking up to Him as both of US co
re, demned in His sight, let US join heart
me making no difference. My brOther!'
as held him on my breast through Il
ep- waxing and waning of that strange mig
my first night of liberty-my fiji
, of night with the new soul. And he Sc
up rowed with the sorrewing that needle
roe no repentance. With a kiss viii
The brought back the days of our childhoC
rn- at dawn his spirit parted from me. Th,
Oh beside the little girl who had fallen aisle
from WEAKNESS, laid him who slept
70 calmer sIeep-the sleep of forgivent
the and peace.
'uld The gentle child and followed h
,ass to the grave. With her mourned
the him in my new soul.
eak The day came for the reading of
nam will. Relatives, friends, neighbors, WI
ou'd all collected in the parlor, where my de
Juld brother used Ia sit pining remorsefu