Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-09
A LOST AND WON.
tCOntinued.l
CHAP Err I,

The lady addressed bowed her head meekIy
and looked at her daughter with unuttsrable
tenderness. And now Mr.. Lester chimed in
at will be very pleasant for my young friend
Flora, indeed, f" said he. al suppose Mr.. Eustsce
Fame, the young literary gentleman who turned
all our heads last summer wheI Eewas stsying
here, will be much with you ofcodrse."
81 imagine So" said Ms. Beresford, with a
complacent simper; ''in fact, may say l am
certain of it. Poor young man, he is desperate
ly in love with my girl; Of her feelings for him
am not so sure. He is well known to my sis
ter; visits at her house. We shall see great
deal of him. Do you know my dear Mrs. Lester,
that the new book which has created such a
sensation in London, was written by himl"
! Mrs Lester answered quickly, though her
eyes had been fixed on the half averted face Of
Evelyn, who leaned against the wall, and was
ftfuly tying and untying the strings of her
| bonnet In few minutes more the lively and
talkative Mrs Beresford bade them all good by
and gaily futtered away
Evelyn" said Mr.. Lester, .'come and read
the paper; it has arrived, and there is great
news; come along"
Il will come" said the mother quickly. 'Let
Evelyn rest now; she has been walking, and is
tired 1 will read to you"
The husband and wife passed into the parIor.
As they did SO, Mrs. Lester turned her head for
an instant, and looked with look of anguish
on the dropping figure other child, as she slow.
ly mounted the stairs which led to her room.
When she had gained the refuge of the pleas
ant little chamber, she closed the door, and sank
YEARLY OH a chair by the window. She looked
Iistlessly out on the desolate prospect, white
with frost; the bare trees, with their fantastic
branches, thrown in strong relief against the
gray sky. 1t was dreary; and, alas! there was
no sunshine in her own Split to invest the win
try scene with its own summer radiance As
she gazed, large tears fell down her cheeks, anG
at length she hid her face in her clasped hands
and wept unrestTainedly.
at is so sad-so very sad!" she murmured tC
herself 81 am young, yet life seems very hope
less and dTeary. o God, is it wrong to wish tc
die?"
She turned her wishful eyes to heaven, ant
she saw little star timidly peering forth in twi
light. She sank on her knees almost involun.
tarily and prayed. And when she arose there
was holy calm about her face, as if an ange
had bestowed on her kiss of peace.
Il thank thee" she said softly, "that car
endured"
And she went down stairs and performed al
her habitual domestic avocations with heI
usual serenity. She sang her fathers favorite
songs, read to him, and talked with him about
his garden and his farm. All the while hel
mothers eyes were fixed on her with look O.
half~wOndering tenderness.
Three hours afterward the house was silent
and the bright moonlight shOne in at the corri-
dor window, and By its brightness half started
Mrs. Lester as she stole forth from her cham.
Der with timid, hushed footsteps Cautiously
she unclosed the door other daug ghter's sleeping
room, and went in. Evelyn slept peacefully
but the ray of moonlight that crept in from the
halfOpened door fell on her face, and made the
mother shudder, it looked so much like death.
She touched the fair hand that lay on the cover
let with her lips, as if to prove to herself how
full of warm, breathing life the still form was
And then she knelt by the bedside and prayed
silently. "My child! my only Onep she mnr-
INJURED, as she rose from her knees and casting
one more fond look on the slumbering Evelyn,
turned to leave the room; "GOd guard thee!
dare do no more than pray for theeI"