Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-04-09

that she was dead, aud must 70 away.
could not speak about my going that day
when they laid her in the earth. Even
though II was done at morning, and the emp
ty house was open all day long ] could not
do it. ] stole that one day for my respite
In tho evening when We two met together for
little while, we talked Of other things. lie
was very kind to me. God brSs him lie
never hade NO leave him
But ! could not sleep all night. watched
Ill! the night WIS passed away and when
the morning came. knew tho day had dawutd
that was to seal the sentence Of my exile
1t was sealed in the evening vixen tho sun
set, aud the shadow OF the church was lying
dark upon the room. waited until thea.
that in the gloom he hight not zee NY face.
| had learnt my lesson all day long that
when the time came might speak it without
trembling. The timo h0d come. laced NY
hngers close together, ard ! spoke it,
Noel, when am | TO go?'
lie was startled The twilight was not so
deep but ! could see that saw his srddrn
glance at'me-his quick surprise | had no
answer for moment apd then be spoke
but not glad!y-oh GoG be Thanked, not
gladly
II had forgotten that you had to go, Rnth."
Had you forgotten ?' ! spoke sorrow
fully, not in bitterness. Yes, that was nat.
ural you had other things to thiuk Of"
lie rose from his place aud came TO where
| sat. lie stood hear to me, and caEt bis
arm upon my chnr.
"Rntb. where ure you going?'
where p raised my face to his one
moment. "To the place ! came from-to
the house left ~
"llow soon? Not at once mot this
werl: ?"
1T does not matter. this wccl; or next. l
will do wha. you like"
Then give me orc week longer, Ruth.'
"Ees."
And said no more; We we're both silent
But, when some moments had gone past and
while | still sat iu my dull hopeless resgna-
tion, suddenly was dhiekoned by his touch.
1t luy Oh my Seut hand. for the first time |
had ever fsIt it. STOPPED beneath the pres.
sure OF his hand. q
Ruth" he said, uGdIy, "l wish could sny
to you, remain with me. am no; happy
now aud when you go you will take the last
ray OF sunshine with you from the house. il
has been u lighter house from the day YOU
entered 1t. God bless you, little Ruth ~
His hand was gone from ne, us himself
would he all gone within one little week. If
he had asked me, would have remained with
him to be n servant in his house and ! did
not stir or speak. For his kindness had no
thanks--fOr his blessings, no responses but
all my heart was iaiuting ia me-shriIkipg
into death before the shadow Of its owlness
went away. 1t was bright spring day,
and the birds were building their nests under
the shelter Of the old church caves. ! lad
been very quiet all the week, going about
slowly, strangely, like one in II dream. was
quite stii!, with even kind ot sOlemuity IN
my QnIctude; for it seemed 10 mo that all
that could be called If" in my eX!strucc was
10 end Ibis day.
lie was wOrAine in his studio. ! had not
told him the hOur was to 90, but when il
came ! went 10 him. Once had thought
that | would ask him to Jet me sit one Euul
beside him before / went | had douo il
once or twice before, but this day could
not. | only went TO Lim when every prepa
ration was con plelcd and ny corded tguuk:
were at the door.
entered the room then, and stood before
him.
IL am going. Noel"
lie started up at the sight OF ne, aud cam:
70 meet me.
You did not tell me that you were going
so soou," he said. why did YOU not come
before ?"
There was no need 10 disturb yoa. Il
did not matter"
1T would not have disturbed me. Ruth
lie took MY two hands IN his. As he held
them, ha looked at me.
Ruth, ere you really going p
Yes"
You are looking pale and III. Ruth yol
are not glad to go"
Noel, l am not strong. Bid me goOl
bye"
"Not yet--not here, Ruth."
Yes, here; saw you Grst in ,his house
When | think OF you, | want you to belong
70 this house first and last"
lie was standing before ne. We both be
came silent; what more was there TO say
Alas, ! had nothing more. But | raised
my face looked into his eyes. should
sue him no more-l should never see ha
more, perhaps on eurth.
Then the end came.
Let mo go, now"
lie held my hunds still, aud holding them
stopped aud kissed me. Oaco be prayed
Ca ..os. nc Before lac loosed NY hands
he repeated twice
Little Ruth! !is,lc Ruth 4"
And that was all. No tears had risen +,
my eyes-;hoy were AL hot and dry bat
went away from him, and closed the door
cropping my steps as If the night had fallen
CHAPTER VI.
was in my own house, .Bd aloue-solitary
from day TO day from dawn TIL uight. ! wa.
not happy. God had given me my lot, and
struggled hard to be coutented with il hu
could not see my way in it. did not know
what to do. If | had had one single crca
ture to have lived for, could have been re
signed to it but was so utterly lonely!
knew that in some way / must work, or
could not bear it. With a courage, there
fore, that was kind OF despair set Il
work. Not to quiet, indoor work, readiGg
studying, educating myself could not d'
these things at first: my feeble energy neeGe,
first to be sustained by something stronger
than my own fainting will. knew tina,
and SO | bound myself TO the only worl
within my reach that did not leave my owl
will free. There were helpless people onC
ignorant children in our village: | gave my
time to them. Perhaps they did not thaul
me for it but they took IT, and presently
they looked upon it as their right. | served
them, and they counted on my service; aLc
their dependence became my wages.
worked oil through the summer-oh th,
summer that had been so bright in it's las
shining on me, and was so bare and desolett
now. | worked all through the days, and i,