White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-03-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

/ 1850 - @7AS - LAA'
Mark and Mr. Afford, after their dis
agreeable interview with the Clamps,
went to see Mr.. Hardwick, whom they
wished to congratu' ate. At the door they
were met by Lizzy. whose sad face said,
flush !" Marks spirits fell instantly.
ais he worse 90 he asked. A tear was
the only answer He asked Mr. Afford
to go for Mildred. "She has Just come, {"
said Lizzy.
They fonnd Mr.. Hardwick propped up
in bed, whence he conld look out of the
window. The church-spire rose on the
one hand. and on the other, the chimney
of the shop was seen above the trees on
the river bank. By night the column Of
sparks had gladlened his eye. as he tho't
Of the cheerful industry of his sons
Mark tenderly pressed his uncle's hand.
and leaned over him with an affectionate,
sorrowing interest.
"Der-don't take it TO heart, my boy"
said MIR. Hardwick. 81 am very h-hap-
| y."
Il am glad that the boys won't lose
the shop" said Mark 81 see You are
looking out to the chimney"
"Yer-yes. it was thoughtful of Mr..
Kinloch. and special Providence that
the will was found"
lyon know he mentioned his claim
against me-" said Mark "that is paid,
and it doesn't matter but | can't guess
the reason for the unusual kindness he
has shown towards me-" f F-
The old man answered slowly, for his
breathing was difficult and often painful.
at is an old stery-oll as the dried
FLOWERS that Mildred told me of-but it
had fragrance once. Yer-your moth
er, Mark, was as per-pretty a girl, as
you often see. Walter Kinloch ler-loved
her, and she him. He sailed to the Ia
dies. and some derdifP Guilty happened.
so that the letters stopped. i d-don't
know how twas. But arter while sh-
she married your father. Mr.. Kinloch,
he m married too but l guess he nun
never got the girl of his choice"
Mark grasped his young wife's hand,
at this tale of years gone By.
The lock of hair and the rose were
your mothers, then - she whispered
dear father faithful even in DEATH. to
his friends. and to the memory Of his first
love How much suffering and crime
would have been prevented if he conld
only have uttered the words which his
heart prompted !" l ..Iir
"God forgive the woman I" said Mr..
Hardwick. solemnly. None knew then
how much she had need Of forgiveness,
standing as >he was on the brink Of that
last fatal plunge ] nt
Mr.. Afford suggested that the fatigue
of talking would wear upon the eH'eebled
man, and advised that he should be left
to get some rest, if possible.
Tomorrow is S.Sabba'day, eff I've
counted right" said Mr. Hardwiek. IL
sh should like to see the sun on the St
steeple once more" .-
Dear uncle, hope you may see it
great many times. We must leave you
to rest" asi -l..la.
"Good night. mummy children" he
replied. "God b-bless you all ! Let me
put my hands on yeur h-heads."
They knelt by his bedside, and he
blessed them ferventlys Mr.. Afford and
Lizzy remained to attend upon him, and
the others withdrew. %. l.i ir.
The night passed. how YEARLY (! None
could sleep, for through all the air there
was passage of sorrow. solemn cling
ling silentness," to which their senses
were painfully alive. Who, that has
passed the interminable gloomy hours
that preceded the departure Of loved and
venerated friend into the world Of spirits,
does not remember this unutterable sus-
pense, this fruitless struggle with eternal
DEGREES, this clinging affection to the par
ting soul? What sinking of the heart
even the recollection of such scene pro-
duces. ,,
The day dswned upon sleepless, tear
stained eyes. The dying man was con-
scious. cheerful, and calmly breathing
In the adjoining room the family sat be-
side the table on which was spread their
untasted breakfast.
Il ne Ocu BtSau " mug tot iuSctiuS.
Mr.. Hardwick reused up at the sound.
and called for his children. He blessed
them again. and placed his hands on their
bowed heads in turn. He thought of the
psalms which he had so often led, and he
asked all to join in singing Billings
Jordan" 49,
-fs. "Thsre is a land Of pure delight, .5..f.
Where saints immortal reign -
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures Danish pain"
With faltering voices they sang the tn
umphant hymn. The old mans eyes
were fixed upon the steeple, which point
ed upward through the clear air. and
shone in the golden light of the sun. BE
kept time with q feeble movement. and
once o. twice essayed to raise his own
wayering voice, A smile of heavenly
beauty played over his pallid features as
the music ceased-a radiance ike that
crimson glow which covers the mountain
top at dawn. he spoke almost inaudi-