Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-28

u
this moment she is sitting at her mothers feet
weary with the labors OF the day, yet gentle
| happy, and affectionate, as ifcare was unknown
to her. She has been employed as portrait,
painter by all the wealthy families in the
neghborhood. My only fear is that she mas
oyertask her strength; but she looks well, AM
there is an expression of contentment in hci
face that makes her very lovely
| Lights were brought in and Mrs Morton
changed the subject Of conversation. But
when she had retired for the night, Walter stole
softly forth, to linger about the cottage where
Amy dwelt, and think over all he had heard
other conduct. 1t has been said that there is
something not disagreesble to us in the mis-
fortunes of our best friends. It may be so, fol
certain il is that Walters meditstions did no,
end in sadness, though their subject was Am,
Sinclair and all her trials. He returned home
at last with quick and cheerful step, and as
he turned 10 take one last look in the direction
of Amy's home, a smile passed over his face
and he murmured, "Happy Yes, happy as d
princeW
II was about month after Walters return
at the close of fine summers day, that he in
duced Amy to lay aside her brush, and take a
walk with him. It was lovely evening, and
the country through which they wandered had
much beauty even for a strangers eye to
them, for whom some pleasant association hung
upon every tree, it seemed paradise. In the
course of their walk they passed the old man
or-house, and Amy paused to look lovingly on
its quiet grounds. Walter watched her anx-
iously, but she turned to him again with her
own kind smile, and said "lndeed, Walter, it
is only for his sake-for my poor fathers
sake r.
Walters long pent-up feelings found voice
at last and he told Amy how he had loved her,
though hopelessly, when she was rich and
happy, aud how he loved her more thou
sandfold in poverty and trouble. Who shall
tell how sweetly those fond words fell on Amy's
carlow the happy tears rolled silently down
her cheeks, as the secret of her own deep yet
unconscious love, was revealedto her hearth
1t was late when they returned from their
ramble, and Mrs. Morton was sitting with Amy S
mother The rest ofthe evening passed quietly
yet happily, and Walter whispered to Amy,
while the widows were exchanging their fare
wells for the night, ave will tell them all to-
morrow, Amy-my Amy2 | will come early
to help you with your confessions
But the morrow came, and Walter did not
appear. Amy cheek flushed at every sound,
and her heart sank when hour after hour roll
led by, and still he came not. AT last nm old
and faithful servant of Mrs. Morton was seen
approaching the cottage, and Amy ran forth
to meet her but as the old woman came near,
Amy stopped, afraid to ask what had hap
pened.
"oh, Miss Amy" cried the weeping woman,
~ have cruel sorrow to tell you of My
poor mistress her heart will break She
loved him so dearly, and, God knows, SO
did r.
Amy returned in silence to the cottage, and
the servant followed her. Mrs. Sinclair was
t,Nt oil hut aft
quietly closing the door, babe the woman sit
down near her and tell her what had hap
pened.
"poor Master Walterr cried the woman,
who had been his nurse she was so noble, so
good Poor Master Walter The is gone y
and passionate burst of tears interrupted her
speech. Any's face was pale MS marble, but
she pressed her hand upon her heart, and
said
"what doyou mean, nurse2 Is Walter Nor
ton deads"
"Dcad!n repeated the nurse-"dead Yes,
Miss Amy, these eyes have seen him lying pale
and dead. Oh, to see his poor mothers agony
He did not come down to breakfast, and she
went herself to see what allied him. To my
diving day shall not forget her shrek. She
found him dead and cold--her own, her only
childW
The nurse was too much absorbed by her
own grief to observe the effect of her words on
her listener, who sat like one stunned, with
dry eyes and livid lips. Her mind refused to
comprehend the exceeding bitterness of the
sorrow that had fallen upon her. Once or
twice she passed her hand across her brow,
and glanced uneasily round the room, but she
did not speak. AT last the nurse said
~ have brought message to you, Miss
Amy, from my poor mistress She babe me
go on my knees to beg you to fulfil her request
She has no picture of poor Master Walterl will
you make one now"
0I?-now 2" said Amy, as if trying to UNDER
stand what was asked of her. sis it not too
late2 Did you not say he was dead y and
she shuddered as she spoke.
"No dear Miss Amy, it is not too late. There
he lies, calm and beautiful as an angel. Dear
Miss Amy, as you hope for pity yourself, pity
his mothers sorrow, and do what she asks !"
aPaint Walters picture now-now, when he
is dead that is what you ask, is 1t not, nurse
| will do it," Then, with strange, unnatural
composure, she collected her drawing materials
and prepared to leave the house, bidding the
nurse tell Mrs. Sinclair of all that had hap
pened.
In darkened chamber of the house to which
she had so lately welcomed him in health and
joy, Mrs. Morton watched by the body of her
dead son. There he lay, palo and still, yet
with smile lingering about his white lips, a
smile of more than earthly beauty. BY what
strange and sudden malady the soul had been
freed from its mortal tenement none might
tell, but that it passed away calmly and with
out suffering the happy expression OF the tea-
lures seemed to testify.
any SON my son p whispered the poor
widow, as she kissed the closed eyes fall my
other children did the Lord take from me, and
then He called my husband to be with Him,
but deemed thou shouldst lay me in nv grave.
Thou, too, art gonel His will be doneN
Again she seated herself beside the bed,
weeping, .yet not as one without hope Her
chastened heart grew calmer, and many a bes-
sed thought of that country to which those
she loved were gone, and to which she herself
was, as she trusted drawing near, glided across
her mind and comforted her. At length she
heard step on the stairs, and, rising to as
certain who was coming, shem Amy Sinclair
at the chamber door.
"Dear, dear Amy" she whispered, ''are you
come to do It'll"
ayes" answered Amy, ~ will do it, but
must be alone;" and She passed on into the
chamber of death.
There was hollow sadness in her voice
that had alarmed Mrs. Morton, who waited at
tho door, listening anxiously, lest any sound
should betray that Amy had over r.e,l nei
courage, or that the first sight of death had
alarmed and overpowered her. She little sus-
pected..how much had died to Amy with Walter
Morton. All was still for few minutes, and
then she thought she heard a low yet bitter
groan, but when she opened the door, Amy
was already seated at her task, composed and
fearless. Again Mrs. Morton left her, and
went down stairs to make the melancholy ar
rangements which she knew must claim her
attention.