Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-14


away from her, for the mothers heart, though
torn with anguish, had no time to indulge her
grief. All she could do was to 90 for a mo-
ment and throw herself beside the little bed
where be seemed to be sleeping in his infant
loveliness, with his little white hands folded
on his quiet breast, and his features 80 still, 80
terribly motionless, and yet so strangely beau
tiful
They carried the darling to his resting place,
to the quiet churchyard, where the spring low-
ers would bloom over him; and the mother a
heart bled in silence for her lost one
At length, after weeks of danger, Charles
was pronounced better. Physicians, who had
hardly dared to hope, now assured Margaret
no was recovering. He began again to feel
renewed interest in what was passing around
him; and his strength slowly returned The
children came in to see him once more and
he felt cheerful and even interested in talking
to them.
One day Margaret went down stairs for q
while, leaving Charlie with him, telling the
| child to stay while she was gone
II wish could see you, my boy" said his
father, holding the little fellows hand II
hope L shall soon be able to get out of the
darkness. Where are your grandmother and
Alice ?'
"Grandma took Ally out to walk, and she
tried to get mamma to go, she looks so ILL.,"
"Does your mamma lock ill ?''
1oo, pOOT udutud, sn6 QOeS not CRY now,
but she looks 80 sad and ILL.,"
'Did she cry before % said his father,
quickly.
The child hesitated and he repeated his
question.
al don't know whether she would like me to
tell you, papa; but she used to cry great deal.
and mere after you said | was to 90 away; but
she told me L must try and be willing to 20, as
she wanted me to do so, but she never saws
ANYTHING abOut IL now -
Charles clasped his child's hand tighter. II
have not heard the baby cry. Why don't they
bring him in, Charlie.''
The little fellow did not answer, but in a few
moments said, 'shall call mamma, now9"
mo. Are you tired?"
"Oh no." replied the boy. "I wish you
would let me stay, papa"
Yes, your mamma is with the baby, sup
pose. But you think am very cruel, Charlie,
to send you away to school" !"
"Oh, no, mamma said l must not say that:
for should learn great deal, and that YOU
wished me to study very hard. Papa, please
wrong about it."
"And why must I not think so, Charlie?m
"Because mamma always thinks you are
right, and she was very sorry when [ was so
discontented about it'
'Well, go and bring the baby here now, and
let me kiss him" But Charlie did not 20.
why don't you go, Charlie2" he asked.
"oh: papa, please don't send me; but will
"Stop, Charlie, said his father, holding him
fast, "why don't you want to go2''
The child was still silent. Charles grew thor
oughly excited. "Charlie, my boy, will not
your mother let you obey me?"
.'Oh, papa" sObbed the child, "we have no
baby now. He is gone to Heaven
Charles relaxed his hold, and lay perfectly
quiet.
"Papa, dear papa, don't feel so badly. Oh.
what will mamma say to me for telling you,"
"My child" said the father, softly drawing
him closer, "tell me all about it,
HE was not i'll long, and mamma had to be
in here while grandma nursed him, but he
died in her arms, and thought poor mamma
would die too, she looked so i'll. But she came
in and stayed by you; and she does not cry
about il but know it is that that makes her
ill. We were afraid to tell you while you were
ill, and am afraid 1 am wrong to tell you
now, but you know, papa, yeu made me-"
You have done perfectly right, my boy !;
but hear your grandmother and Alice COM
ing; let them come in"
What Charles said to his mother then no one
knew, but her heart must have been touched ::
for when she left his room she inquired in
tone Of real kindness, for Margaret. But Door
Margaret was no longer conscious Of Joy or sor-
row. They found her on the bed delerious with
IeFor, anu Gazing "luly on ner cnlId. She
knew no one.
Charles, when they told him, insisted on be-
ing carried to her room. So they bandaged
his eyes, and putting him in large chair.
wheeled it beside his wife's sick bed. The doc
tor, when he came, objected to the husband 8
remaining, saying his health would suffer but
Charles refused to leave. He sat by the bed
listening to Margarets broken words of grief
and sufering but spoke to no one, nor took
any notice of what any one said except the
doctor. Once only he exclaimed, "Ohi if l
could only see" His children's g caresses SEEM
ed to have no effect in soothing him. Even to
Charlie he said nothing, except to ask him how
his mother looked.
At length, however, their painful anxiety
was relieved. The doctor pronounced Marga-
ret out of danger, and said she only needed
careful nursing to restore her again to health
Is she we'll enough to talk doctor!" said
Charles the next morning, when the doctor
come into the room.
a little, think" he answered "there
will be no danger for her now"
Margaret's face flushed when she saw her
husbands chair Charles asked to be moved
closer beside her, and STOPPING down bent over
her and kissed her forehead. Mrs. Mervyn
walked quietly out, and closed the door behind
her, leaving husband and wife together.
Margaret, my wife, said Charles, earn
estly, 60 If my whole life, from this time, does
not prove the sincerity OF my sorrow for the
pain have made you suffer, I shall be mon
ster, indeed"
"Charles," she said, throwing her arms
around his neck, {" don't say that only love
me IL Is all ask"
"God knows do love you," he answered,
with deep feeling, "but know not whether
can ever forgive myself for all my unkindness
I never knew you, Margaret; but you have
made me love you 80 that not shadow of
doubt upon the subject shall cross your mind
again He passed his hand over her fore
head, and then over her face, "If could only
see you again, Margaret! Perhaps it will be
my punishment to be denied thisn
No, nc" answered she, cheerfully, ssyou
will be well agsin-and Charles" she added
in low tone, 1--WE shall be so happy"
"May Charlie come in said pleasant
voice. The door opened, and the child en-
tered, leading little Alice by the hand. The
child's face beamed with pleasure, as he saw
his mother looking 80 happy. He kissed her
over and over again, and then put his arms
round his father, ss he said, "0hi papa, I am
so glad mamma is better. If you could only
see her" .H
"Would you like to stay and nurse papa
and mamma, instead Of going away Charlie t''
"0h, papa, you do not mean it. ] should be
an clad - ..rs ~ rssF+ .FEF.F. -f+ .