The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-16
on going to be married 7" he added, alb

But Bessie only pointed out loose round
stone in the crossing, as if she did not hear
the question.
Mothers not so we'll to-day, and can
not 60 as far as usual" she said, as they
entered narrow, crooked street. GLOW
bright and pleasant it must look out at the
asylum now with all the roses in bloom ~
"let, ifone could sec them"
"Riclard, you are not thankful tonight
for what you can enjoy" said the young girl.
earnestly. "You have cheerful home and
fresh sweet-scented air and cheerful society"
"Go on, Bessie. You mean "while YOU
are shut up in this close street with a sick
mother, and your bread to gain by your
needle" But then there is Allen !" and the
gloomy tone came back again.
"Let him be there" Bessie answered, de-
cidediy, pausing at her own door stonc.-
Richard, you sang Benedic, anima mca this
afternoon; remen.bcr it on your way home.
| shall, so long as my mother has Il shelter.
aud l have health and strength to work for
her. Take care now, and look out for the
carriages and the crossing. l Shall have
time for pratice hour on "Wednesday eve
n'ng. You may come to tea if you like"
The blind mans staff rang upon the pave-
ment as be went on his lonely way, not
knowing that she stood upon the door stone,
and watched for his safety so long as he
was in sight. He did not know what'slould
make him so restless and disturbed about
this marriage. 1t was right and natnra |,
and what he could have wished for Bessie.
They would be 6neIy paired-the high spir-
tied, energetic woman and her sailor lover.
He SO tall, and bronzed, and stalwart, as.
Bessie's husband ought to be; frank and
generous, as sailors ever are.
Richard Langdon, the blind music-tcach- :
er, still lived at the asylum where he had
studied his beautiful art, with the love and
confidence Of pupils and teachers. The
rooms were ofnoble proportions, the grounds
fragrant with sweet, scented shrubbcry, and
cool with the shadow Of heavy foliage.
Here he walked, that still Sabbath after
noon, and thought upon his aimless ioyiess
childhood, and what if he had had a sister
like Bessie to cheer it. There were many
hours when his miud preyed upon itself; it
had always.been so in the pauscs of study,
but never so much AS now.
:. So he wandered down the. rose walk, lis
tened to the murmur of voice that rose from
the play ground beyond the garden, and
envtlng the children their Sabbath rest and
peace. Bnt his mind would go back to Bes-
sic and their first acquaintance, when she
came to offer her fresh, strong, but untrain-
ed voice. 10 assist him to lead in the chan.
el music. His nature was 40 gentle that
her quick, stirring way was not pleasant to
him at first: it was not his idea Of woman
illness. He liked her better when he found
how much in earnest she was to improve
this one talent, and hsw grateful for his in
structions. Now when they was together
he laid aside the timid uncertainty of step
and manner trusting to her guidance
When she was married, all these pleasant
walks and rehcarsas must end, for she
would have new duties and companionship
and pleasures. No wonder he was restless
and disturbed.
The pale, gentle widow had n welcome
Tor him when the appointed evening came;
and he sat down near her in the open door,
until Bessie should come in. He could feel
the neatness Of all around him, and heard
the cat purring in the door-silI, and the
kettle singing it's pleasant evening song in
the outer room. 1t was all so still and
homelike to him-though be had never
known home but in his dream; 40 diff.
ferent from the clatter of feet through the
corridors Of the asylum, the opening and
shutting OF doors, the hum of children con-
nlng their lessons, or the discordance of the
tortured musciaI instruments under hands Of
unskillful pupils. He wondered if the cav
boisterous sailor would appreciate this quiet
rest, so dear to him, and Bessie's invalid
mother, with her delicate tastes and in.
stincts.
When tea was over and the household
duties were ended for the day, though it
was pleasant to hear Bessie 90 so easily
about them. she came, for the first time.
and sat down BY hfn on the door-stone for
the house was one Of those low, oldIfa.hion-
ed tenemonts where you step from the street
into the dwclling.room at once. The street
was still and deserted, save now and then A
solitary footstep echoed along the pavement,
and died away in the shadows beyond
A massive, but. long .disused warehouse,
built when this marrow street had its great
commercial fame and influence. loon,d on.