Nevada national., 1859-09-24
shndows-Tl,rn Sunshine,

oil The morning. as they swept up from the
green meadow lands. cool aud delieioos
Lines Of misty, golden ligh, we're slap,ipp
down from the billtops, making amber maths
across the green. dewy fields. aGd amer lad
ders from one tree top to another. tLrou,b
all ihe wide expanse Of woods that ms eve
could reach. Under tie window. rose, and
( lilacs blossUmed-the roses tos.ino t,.;r
red aud white, and the lilacs their nurnle
clusters, backward aud forward. meeting
as II to exchange kisses; and minele in one
sweet breath their united fragrance.
But what were the sunlight the trees. the
dewy fields and flowers to me. nigh, not
go out freely among them; ms feet could not
press The green grass of the fields; might
not wander where the breezes made anthems
through The trees my hand might not pluck
the simplest flower which bent forward to
meet theiI weary outstretching. | must
work, for labor was the only gilt for me ;
whether made it pleasure or curse, it
was the only alternative.
And so with tears in my eyes. which the
sunlight nockingly bridged across with gol.
den bars, seated myself to my daily task.
There was great well of bitterness within
my heart, VIII ch, with the most rigorous will
| could hardly keep from overfiowinr-a
passionate upheaving of my deep. womanly
nature, which in vain tried to press back
ward into the quiet channel it bad ALWAYS
known. In vain, for it surged up to catch
the light and the shadows; the light. though
1t said the while there was no light. aud the
shadows which, even in my bitterest mo-
ments, | shut my heart against 1t was a
strange time to me; can you comprehend IT,
readery time when denied everything
Tor fear that was the sweet foundation of a
hope.
Work. work. work. said again pres
sing my fingers close upon my eyes. and let
ting fall the garment on which had been
sewing, Il wish might die Nv tears fell
thick and fast wished might weep my
lite away.
"N"lly-Nelly dear, you will weep so long
that there will be no rainbow after the show.
er; instead Of the rainbow, there will be a
dall, heavy grayness upon everything
Look up, have something to say TO von.''
Before the words fell upon my ear rec
ognzed presence near me. soul that mine
leaped mp in great waves of joy 20 meet
Words were not wanted TO assure me of the
presence Of Charles Howard. In moment
the smiles gathered upon my face. and invol.
UNFAIRLY | uuclasped my hands from my eyes
to meet the steady, penetrating gaze of the
man loved.
'Now. now, Nelly. we have the rainbow ~
be said, drawing a chair. and seating himself
close by my side, and at the same time los
sing carelessly the light, airy robe which
was making upon the table. Tell me what
troubles you?''
For some reason the bitterness within me
flowed up to my lips when opened them to
speak.
Il am weeping for joy" said, turning
my head away from him. "Is it to be won
dered ate''
"NOt if your heart in its outstretching.
can divine the future, was the answer.
"Are you prophet, that you can speak
with such authority ?" said l.
81 Judge your future by my own heart.
Nelly" said he Il will not believe that it .
tells me wrongly"
| reached out my hand for nv work. with /
ont replying, as he said this. A determiua-
tion rose within me to listen Idly. like |
pleased child TO his words. even though they |
sent the warm blood dashing over my face, 1
and quickened to widness the pulsaiion Of /
my heart. was n poor. dependent sewing /
girl, and Charles Howard was rich proud |
aud of high family. What knew of the
world, all the education could lay claim
TO, bad been gathered piece'meal; and yet |
was not ignorant. He was an elegant, pol
shed man, at ease in any station-a man
who had seen the world without entering its
busy. bustling ranks, and from seeing had
.nrned away, weary and dscontented.
From the moment saw him. when he
'ame 10 spend the summer with the proud
Langdons. with whom was living, knew
lin wholly, and well, as II for years had
1een permitted TO read his heart as freely as
! written scroll. People said he was the be.
rothed husband of his naughty cousin, Lee
itia Langdon, and judging by what saw
laily, | had no right to dispute it, Indeed.
thought it very probable and with me
here was ever this sweet assurance could
understand him, appreciate him, as she could
lot; could bring by words a smile to his lips
hat she might try in vain to summon there.
lie might give her the husks OF his soul, the
utward make-believe devotion. but could
ee into bis inner life, and knew that not for
moment was her proud, arrogant face da-
there. lie was by her side in
II the glitter and show Of fashionable socie- ,