The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-02-25

heart was sulled ana ghe Foloo OF heI
inmostsoul speaking.
"Lifo is not long at most, she said |
"and if our names be written on the
white scroll, which feth a blost eterni-
ty, what matters e. II we do suffer
here?"
"Ab, have often Thought" said FL
sic, her dark eyes growing lustrous, 81
have often thought that bright angels,
countless as those stars yondor, now
bless the Loving Hand that sends these
earthly sorrows to WOO the soul heaven
ward"
It was late when the two girls, arm in
arm, walked out Of the cottage gate to
their home.
Elsie went to her room; but Nellie,
seeing a light in the library, softly en-
tered, for she knew her father was
there.
The old man was dreaming again
His eyes we're bent fondly upon the
beautiful vision shadowod forth upon
the painters canvas. Chow he must
have loved berw thought his child;
and her old yearning took possession
Of the soul-a yearning to know all the
history of her fair young mother
Why would he never talk of her p
why would he not tell his child the
story Of the past?
How often had she knelt before that
sweet picture, longing intensely to hear
r some of the loving words which those
81 beautiful lips must have uttered in life ?
Then she would go to the gray-haired
r artist who had painted her mothers
!" portrait, and who knew, and had a right
to know, all her history. Lifting her
G young face to his, how often had she
d said, even in her childish days, "Papa,
10 please tell me of my mother" "Not
1t now, darling, not now, was the answer
II he always gave her; and she would &c
away when she saw his lips quivor, and
d his eyes dim with tears.
1t He might die, and she would never
IS know the truth. The intense Iongine
n stirred in her heart once more. Bow
f. ing down by his side, and lifting he
s. wistful face to his, she said softly, "Pa
pa, won't you tell me about mOthc
y now?"
,e The old man looked startled. Thel
Is his eyes grew dreamy, as they wandered
- over his. childs face.
le "You are like her, Nellie, and sh
ID was good; and she's an angel now"
at "Tell me all, papa, tell me ALL" sh
pleaded
n, "Not now, darling some other time
n The tears filed Nellie's eyes, as sh
m thought that time might never come
er Her father seemed to read her soul.
d, Don't fear, daughter he said "
he will tell you when the time draws nigl
u and it's not far of, Nellie I'm tremt
wv ling now on the verge Of the grave
M And oh the curse, the curse, has rot
re bed me of so much-has made waste o
my brightest years"
g Papa, don't cry! Icannot bear
.or see you weep And have caused
Il have made you think Of somethin
bo sorrowful."
A greater mystery than ever shrou,
,or ed her parents past life A curse !
70 What was it that had bowed that feeb
he form, and set the seal of four-sco
bo years upon his brow, before he had see
oct three-score? Such thoughts passc
he through Nellie's Imaginative mind b
cir for the world she would not have ask
bt- him another question then.
f. She put her arms around his neck
his With her soft hand she wiped the tea
oe away from his eyes, and kissed hi
hat teuderly. 1t grieved her, to think s.
ost had caused him one paug of pain.
"Dear papa, forgive me, she Sa
m. tearfully.
es "YOu have done nothing, daught,
led for me to forgive" he said, cheerful
"You have been a comfort and blessir
i'd to me for sixteen years-all that ha
has left to live for and to love. Now go
not Elsie, my precious one, and don't
owe troubled about your poor old faith,
can for you have made part Of his life We
ou, happy"
I (To be Contnusd)
49, % %5%R. ~ Cy....