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

J .zssg~ a. 10 Ss<keslE. q FIsB sas Z e n II
T. naAsi, 1lahsl Lss,s, ! wslsstsnd-
" lyEyAs window watehing the desd
800 ix6sff ~, and the patching of
= nin-drops from the branches of the
"a absech trees, when this name fell
ff6m my lips the first time for many
lohf day / had spoken Of my early
blend, our beautiful Mabel.
= Mabel Lee was ON orphan, and in
Asrited from her parents that curse Of
StpEanaae, poverty, but with the help
u an elder, On only brother, who idol,
led bic lovely sister, she. struggled
h9avsiy on, until she found her rest in
"a early grave.
Years sgoH met Mabel for the first
dine, and memory yet loves to trace
that fair high forehead with genius
stamped upon it, and the proud fierce
sye that ct times melted its azure
depths into womanly tenderness, but
Nabel's was q peculiar lot, and the
sserld had embittered that young spirit.
= Her form was tall and commanding,
her lips thin, and indicating great
strength Of character, but the only
childish thing about Mabel was her
hair; that Was black as night, and hung
over her shoulders in long massive curls
Below her waist. They looked number
less, and were the envy Of many of the
School girls, but seemed to trouble Ma,
ble yery little, for she would brush and
part her hair in curls each morning with
restless rapidity, then shake them all
Eack, and con6ne them away from her
face With black velvet band, and sit
down utterly unconscious she looked
sny' better than those who made more
elaborate toilettes. Mabel was my
roommate at NJ seminary and stole
into nv heart because too was an or
yhan, though Why the handsome and
intelligent Mabel Lee, of the gradua-
ting class, should select the youngest
child in school for her particular friend
excited the remark of both teachers and
pupils, yet she was kind to me, the on
y one in that great house Of strange
faces that spoke lovingly to me, and ]
sas gladly grateful. Mabel loved We.
~ few Of the girls, but she would fold
me in her arms and kiss my brow with
passionate fondness, until I almos,
xorshipped her.
We had been nearly two months to-
9ether, when one evening I entered oul
room alters romp on the play grounds
snd found Mabel leaning her head on
ne window in deep thought. So still
vas she, I deemed her sleeping until a
mute embrace showed me she was think
ing, sad thoughts I was sure, for tears
slistened in those blue eyes, and oh
how lovely she looked then
All their hard glitter was gone, and in
ohildhood's undergraduates for [ had
seen but thirteen springs I threw my
arms about her neck and exclaimed,
"My own beautiful Mabel % In q
moment all the tenderness was gone,
and putting back in a half caressing
niaaner my tumbled curls from my face,
she answered in q calm cold voice, .
was weeping, Maude, because my broth.
q Alfred IS dead, my only brother, "
and then the sobs seene,i1 to be crushed
back With an effort, as she c5;nt'nued,
he died yesterday and to-morroy !
80 to see him buried. IF you wish you
may 60 with me, forof all that are here
I prefer my little Maude. Hush, don't
cry, not for me, darling, [ won't have
st." and taking me inner arms she held
sae close to her heart and wept as I had
never before seen her weep, but for
each tear I was glad, for I had learned
weeping is good for the soul in sorrows
first weary hours. . . sa.rt
I laid my head against her shoulder,
end wept from sympathy, until Mabel's
sobs died away, and she raised her tear
wet face to put back her hair, and
brushing mine, took me by the hand
and led me to the Principals room. |
VIXEN, Mabel presented her request,
il was granted, although Miss Fielding
expressed some establishment at Miss
Lees choice Of 8 companion, at such .
time, and suggested that one Of the older
girls might Be more suitable, but said
she vas welcome to take me as a relax
alton from study would be beneficial to
my delicate health, and she knew l was
safe in Mabel's care. ;. aasI
The next morning, after short ride
on the railroad, we stood by the gate
that led up to the brothers residence,
iust out Of the station of 4. !
remember it well-the low-roofed cot
tage, with its rustic porch, quaint ga
blcs, and carefully tended grounds, the
front yard sloping to the lane, filled
with fragrant shrubbery, and dropping
clms.
| kept fast hold of Mabel's hand,
and leaned my small, slender figure
close to her stately one, For / feared
she was suffering, and did not like to
see her look SO white, and her mouth
30 firm, as We walked up from the car
riage 80 the front entrance, e ,,isss
Itc housekeeper, robed in deep
snonrning met US at the door, and after
shakirg hands with Mabel and kissing
me-, led aus toFa room in one Of the
wings, which she said was, Mabels,
tbe,. telling us the funeral would be at
Ave that evening, left US to inform Mrs.
Lee Of our arriva.. A
ssWho is Mrs. Lee::2 I asked, for
Mabel hsd never told me anything OF
her relatives, and I had not asked fls.s