True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-20

giant, ,..and thoroughly enjoyed it; SO much
80 that, at times, like bird, she would
forget herself, and burst into a glad snatch
OF some old song or psalm tune. then
stop confused, or fiinging down her work,
would fling her arms round Miss War
ringon and kiss her again and again.
Amy learned TO write, sing, and play,
for Miss Warrington was one of those
true Christians who wonld Giffuse the
priceless git Of knowledge even among
the most lowly. A child of quick pre-
Ception, she made rapid progress, uucon.
sciously initiating even the refined Ian
guage end elegant manners of her beau.
tiful instruclress.
Oh how happy her days fitted by
in the calm regularity Of that household.
Never tired, yet always busy, she work
ed inthe little patch Of garden tended the
gelaniums, mended the house linen, and
in set ?days, Mrs Upton, the old Scotch
hosekeeper instructed her in house du-
ties. Mr.. Warrington--a grave earnest
business man-camo home 10 dinner pre-
cisely at four o'clock, except on Thurs.
days, when he dined at his club. Every
summer they spent at LakeIands, Mr..
Warrington's family seat in Essex. Amy
was fond of flowers, and she reveled here
in perfect paradise OF garden.
Five years had glided on. The promise
of Amy's childhood had been fulfilled in
face and form of exceeding loveliness.
Few ever beheld her without admiration,
and strangers rarely passed her without
turning again to look upon that faultless
counlenance. That the fair girl was un
conscious Of her beauty, We will not say;
she loved all that was beautiful herself,
and she said she was glad that she was
pretty, because dear Miss Warrington
would love her better.
But grief came at last. For some time
Amy had perceived that some deep sor-
row was slowly consuming the existence
Of this beloved friend. Her early life
had made her prematurely thoughtful
She had seen Edith poring over letters
and miniature in tears. Woman's heart
is early precocious in such matters, and,
surmising the cause of that deep grief,
pity. tenderness, and sympathy was ad-
ded to her love. She who in her inno-
cence she had always thought so happy,
had been grieving for some loved one all
these long years.
The young lady hai, indeed, long
been fading. Interest in Amy had prob
ably kept the feeble spark of life alive SO
long Physicians came, and she was
ordered to Italy. They went. But even
the balmy breezes of that delightful land
could not restore her, and she prayed 10
be taken back to her own home.
1t was a soft, vernal evening in spring
that Edith desired herself 10 be placed on
a sofa beside the window. Glimpses of
the blue waters of the lake that gave
name to the grounds were visible through
the trees. The birds were singing in the
distant wood, and the rich, glorious light
Of the setting sun was bathing the land
scape. Ellis Warrington had sat and
watched beside her day and night with
more than woman's tenderness, and now,
convinced that all hope was gone, he
knelt beside her, and in deep, tremulous
tones read passages from that Holy Book
whose meek precepts she had followed
well. Amy sat with that thin hand clasp
ed in hers, watching the gray, mysterious
shadows that were slowly falling on that
beloved face. Miss Warrington's eyes
had been closed--she opened them sud-
denly. sHer brother was reading the sub
lime description Of the Holy City.
"Ellis. how strange" said she with a
sweet smile, Z" dreamed last night that
| was with Arthur in that glorious city.
Come closer, Ellis" she murmured, in
lower tones. Brother, when ! am gone
let your hands put this picture and letters
in the coffin with me-"
The strong. grave man bent down and
kissed her again and again, while his
binding tears fell fast and heavy as rain
drops.
"Ohl how dark it is. Amy, gentle
Amy--brother-"
The weeping but awestruck child knelt
down--but Edith Warrington was gone.
Two years had passed away. Mr..
Warrington had gone to India to look af-
ter fortune left to him there. Amy
was still at Lakelands.
Miss Warrington had left her sum
sufficient to maintain her in humble COM
petence but though she still remained
on from year to year, her position was an
underlined one, and, now grown 10 woman
hood, her innate delicacy shrunk from
remaining even in that happy home. moi
having any actual duties to perform. II
is true that Mrs. Upton said that sEe
could not get along without her bonnie
birdie, and that all the servants--a class
not very partial 10 proteges--declared
that they would not stay il she left them
And to to crown all, Ellis Warrington
himself, on his return from India, insistet
on Amy's staying at Lakelands as IT.
mistress, 10 which proposal she finally
yielded her assent, and the following
week the village bells sent forth merry
peal for the nuptials Of Amy Hartly ant
Ellis Warrington. C.B.