The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-15

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my lips by a cry from Ag.,es, whe, wild
eyed and pale, seemed pointing to soms
Ephantom which | c 1uid not see. | turn
| Eed,--the phantom was Eaie empty seat
| The shining stream grew dark betolelm me,
| and a great .paRg Of remorse wrung my
heart as that sight l.et my eyes. ...p
| 1" EtFer''- | cried, with a cry that rent
| the stiffness Of the night, and sent the
lname ringing down th2 river. But moth
ling answered me, and the waves rippled
softly as they hurried hy. Far over ,he|
wide stream went my despainng glance,
and saw nothing but the lilies swaying as
they slept, and the black arch where my
child went dowa. sr.t- ..-
Agnes lay trembling at my feet, but |
never hecded her,-tor jeans dead voice
sounded in MY ear, demanding the life
confded to my care. listened, benumb
ed with guilty fear, and, as if summoned
by that weird cry, there came a white
fash through the waves, and EGe's face
rose up before me. ..
Palld aud wild with the agony Of that
swift plunge, it confronted me, No CRY
for help parted the pale lips, but those
wide. eyes were luminous with a love
whose fire that dreadful river could not
quenoh. .fa
I Like one in an awful dream, I gazed
till the ripple< closed above it. One in
slant the terror held me.-the next | was
far down in those waves, so silver fair
above, 50 black and terrible below. 4
brief, blind struggle passed before | grasp
ed tress of that long hair, then an arm
and then the white shape. with clutch
like death. As the dividing waters gave
us TO the light again, Agnes flung her
self far over the boat-side and drew my
!ifeiess burden in; I followed, and We
laid it down, a pitcous sight for human
eyes 10 look upon Of that swift voyage
home can remember nothing but the
still face on Agnes's breast, the sight o.
which nervcd my dizzy brain and made
my muscles iron.
For many weeks there was darkened
chamber in my house, and anxious figures
gliding to and fro. wan with long yigils
and the fear of death. | oftea crept in
to look upon the little figure lying there,
to watch the feycrish roses blooming on
the wasted cheek, the ftful fire burning
in the unconscious eyes, to hear the brok-
en- words so full Of patbos to my ear, and
til n to steal away and struggle to forget.
My bird futtercd on the threshold of
lis cage, but Love lured it back, for its
! gentle mission vas not yet fulfilled, ~
The child Efie lay dead beneath the
ripples of the river, but the sconaoa rose
up from that bed of suffering like one
consecrated to life's high duties by the
bitter baptism of that dark hour.
Slender and pale, with serious eyes and
quiet steps, she moved through the home
which once echoed to the glad voice and
dancing feet of that vanished shape. A
sweet sobrictv shaded her yourg face, and
a meek smile sat upon her lips, but the
old blithesomene>s was gone.
She never claimed her childish place
upon my knee, never tried the winsome
wiles that used to chase away ny gloom,
never came to pour her innocent delights
and griefs into my ear, or bless me with
the frank affection which grew very pre-
cous when | found it lost
DociIe as ever, and eager to crafty my
lightest wish, she left no wifely duty un-
fulfilled. Away near me, if breathed
her name, but vanishing when ] grew si-
lent, as ii ner task were done Always
smiling cheerful farewell when | weut,
a quiet welcome when | came | missed
the April face that once watched me 90,
the warm emb: ace that greeted me
again, and at my heart the sense of loss
grew daily deeper, as l felt the growing
change. .....-..'
Efe remembered the words I had
spoken on that mournful night; remem
bered that our paths must lie apart
that her husband was friend, and moth
ing more. She treasured every careless.
hint had gwen, and followed it most
faithfully. She gathered gay, young
friends about her, went out into the bril-
liant world, ana believed she was con
! tent
If ccer felt she was burden to the
selfish freedom | desired, I was punish
cd now, for [ had lost blessing which
no common pleasure could replace. |
sat alone, no bithe voice made music in
the silence of my room, no bright locks
swept my shoulder, aud no. soft carcss
assured me that was beloved, =.
Hooked for my household sprite in
girllsh garb, with its free hair aud sunny.
eyes, but found only fair woman grace.
full in rich attire, crowned with my gifts,
and standing afar off among her bloom
ing peers. | could not guess the solitude
of that true heart, nor see the captive
spirit gazing at me from those steadfast