Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-19
CHAPTER X

| away,
She died in beautyke star lost the brow of day,
She died in gloryke nights gems set round the radiant
moon,
She lives in gory--ke the amid the blaze of Suns
Within a softly-shaded room, upon couch
lay the wasted form of Mabel Dean. The whis-
pering winds of summer stole through the open
window and bore the rich odors of rose and
flower to her pallid lips and brow ; but they
woke her not Beside the bed sal Ernest Car
rol. He had been called from home soon after
the disappearance of Silver Bird, and had just
returned. He was shocked tofg44s. change
in Mabel and as he sat. watching I. he listened
for her breathing with a sense Of agony, lest
each breath might be the last. Bending Ger
her he pressed his lips to hers but light as was
the kiss it awoke her.
" 'Tis sweet to be awakened by kiss from
you, dear Ernest. How long since you came ?'
few moments since; hut thought not
to find you so low, dear Mabel"
faint smile fitted over her face, and a soft
glow rested on her cheek, as she placed her
arms around his neck and drawing him nearer
whispered
"I'm almost home, dearest, home where there
will be no more weariness." And seeing he could
not speak, she continued " I've had beau
tiful dream, thought an angel stood before
me and said, will you come with me Mabel If
so, take my hand, and she extended hers. l
reached mine forth, and then thought of you
and my dear parents, and quickly drew it back.
Fear not, said she, to leave your loved
ones. Silver Bird whom you think dead, is
still living. Tell Ernest this, and tell him to
seek her after you are gone. She will love him
you have done, and he will not be left alone.
Then said would, and thus awoke And
you will seek her, will you not, Ernest, when l
am gone p
{" But dear Mabel it was naught but a
dream"
"Yet believe she is living"
Earnest shook his head, but made no reply
A long time she remained silent with her hands
clasped in his; then suddenly she spoke,
Ernest, do you know have been convers-
ing with you all this while, though have not
spoke word %
4" How Mabel ?"
Through this medium--our clasped hands,"
she replied, gently pressing his, p" my soul has
been communing with yours in the SOULS own
sweet language. You do not understand what
| have said to you now but when you do not see
me any more, it will all come to you then"
Do not talk Of that yoa must not leave
me- &
81 shall be with you perhaps though you
may not see me-"
When the sun went slowly to his rest that
day, her weeping friends stood around her death
bed. She had just taken leave of them all,
and turning to her father she said I" Pray,
father Mr.. Dean knelt and offered an earn
est prayer to that kind Being into whose care
he was committing his darling and only child.
As he rose, she said :: " Thank you, father.
shall soon be at rest now."
And shall you not be happy, daughter =?
Have you not that assurance"
Yes, father, know that my Redeemer liv-
eth" After this she lay still sometime, but
starting suddenly, she partly raised herself, while
a smile of heavenly beauty broke over her face,
and exclaimed =" see them with their shin
ing brows, and they call me- Father, mother,
Ernest, go; farewell - and she sunk back up
on her pillow.
As they looked upon her face, though the
smile still fingered, they knew the spirit had
left the form of the darling Mabel.
They made her grave meath shady trees
where natures minstrels sang each day, placed
bright flowers mid its green sods and watered
it with the tears of love and remembrance );
but they veiled not their hearts in gloom, shut
ting out the sunshine to noursh selfish grief ;
for they knew " God loveth a cheerful giver. !"
To Ernest this was bitter cup but in his
heart he found new guest whose low tones
were never silent, till he welcomed the Comfort
er and meekly bowed and kissed the Christening
rod
Turn we now, dear reader, to Nora, whom
we left in the delirium of fever. Three weeks
had sped away since that fatal day, yet Nora's
life still hung upon thread. She had seemed
better and her physician had pronounced her out
Of danger, when suddenly there came relapse
of the fever, and now he shook his head doubt
fully. By the bedside sets Ellen Brandon, q
faithful watcher, and ever and anon she bathes
the burning brow, and moistens the parched
lips with cooling beverage. The Physician
is sslowy pacing the kitchen with noiseless steps,
while Aunt Lena, pale and fearful, is pass
! ing from one room to the other ATTENDING
i her many cares The night draws on, and
i and as the doctor is about to enter Nora room
t again there comes knock at the outside door
Closing the door after him, that the sufferer
might not be disturbed, he disappeared, and
; Aunt Lena went to answer the summons. The
figure of female presented itself, and low
voice asked
t Can the stranger tarry over night?'
=" Certainly come in
: Placing chair, she Immediately removed
the wet shawl from her visitor, for it had been
: raining, then " asked, have you had anything tc
h eat to o-nght."
; She shook her head, and as she raised her
fearful eyes Aunt Lena was struck with thoil
# peculiar beauty. In moment she placed
refreshments before her and after she had par.
a taken, seeing that she was very weary, Lena
said eff you would like to retire will
show you to your room F" She arose saying
o Thank you, the stanger is weary and would
fain rest ,, And with a kind rnnd mint Aunt