Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-05-11


beseeching prayer for death.
"Anna Hayward" said, as | lifted her
from the floor to which she had fallen, " you
are mad, or else you would not send up
such petition as that. Rather thank God
for the precious gift of life, even though
sorrow cloud your hours and pray that
those SORROWS may point the way 10 Heaven"
Night wore on. the moon faded from ont
the sky, and still that poor, breaking heart
had found no comfort, no peace, no rest.
Long days Of weary toll, and long nights
of slecpless woe we're hers. She no longer
uttered loud complaints, but the unbroken
silence Of her hours, and the tears that
trickled slowly down her pale checks, were
far more eloquent than spoken words. !
marveled to see ore who had so cheerfuly
borne the loss of wealth sink under this tr-
al inflicted by love. knew not then how
madly woman's heart clngs to its love, and
that compared with its precious oar, the
wealth of the world seems as dross. Long
weary months passed by before Anna Hey
ward could speak peace TO the troubled
waves of her heart; but at last the storm
passed away, and she behelj the blessed
rainbow of resignation.
Soon after this she accepted a situation as
governess, and in her new home she found
few pleasures and many trials. One eve
ming, | attended a party at the house in
which she resided; and whilst the merry
dance was at its height, we sat in a retired
recess and talked. Suddenly / felt her
hand grasp mine convulsively. | looked
mp and saw gentleman standing near,
whom | at once recognized as the betrayer
of Anna Heyward's love. Silently she
watched him from her retreat, and ! saw
her sink back, but recover herself as he
approached the spot where we sat. AT
that moment flower that she held in her
hand fell TO the floor. He stepped forward
and handed it to her, and in SO doing their
eyes met. . Dear Anna /" was the sudden
exclamation. She stroye to speak, but in
vain. A look Of anguish passed over her
expressive face, as she put her hand TO her
wildly beating heart. / feared that that
poor, weak woman's heart would betray its
silent workings. Il was but moment, and
then she lifted her head proudly, and ex-
tended her hand to the newcomer. lie
grasped it warmly, then, suddenly releasing
it, passed from her presence.
No other words were spoken during this
strange, rapid meeting. 1t seemed but like
dream of reality, as we both sat ab-
sorbed in deep silence. 1t was the last
time that they eyer met; bat the remem-
branee of that meeting never passed from
Anna Heywards heart and those two lit
lie words. I" dear Anna" lent to her remain
ing days a lifelong music that she scarcely
dared agow, even to herself
Anna Heyward remained but two years
in her new home then failing health COM
PEELED her to resign her duties. During
these years, she had been gaining addition
beauty of character, and adding richer
gems to her crown Of loveliness. A faith
ful discharge of duty, noble forgetfuiness
Of self, charity TO all Gods creatures, and
patient, hopeful spirit--these were glori-
Gus cteristics.-Truly sorrow had en-
nobled and trial perfected unto loveliness
her character. Literature now became her
employment But she little knew the sor-
rows that this kind Of life engenders, the
disappointed hopes that darken the way,
the cruel, heart-wounding criticisms, and the
sist in life like this if literature were rot
I" its own exceeding great reward Day
after day, she pursued her task, with a
brain that never tired and heart that new
er ceased hoping. world rewarded
her with miserable pittanee, and listened
with cold unsympathizing heart, to the
voice of the sweet singer
But the time was fast approaching when
she was to work no more. To the last of
her strength her feeble hand held the pen,
whilst it traced the glowing thoughts OF the
bright intelect and when the body grew
weaker, the mind, that glorious gift from
the Creator, grew stronger, and the heart
became purer. as it neared the fount Of all
purity. At last, the pen dropped from the
nerveless fingers, and the glowing thoughts
fded ia the senseless brain. The nainstrei
was at ress in Leacen.
As | stand beside this sleeping form, ly-
ing calmly beneath the moonht heaven. ]
cannot bat remember how beautiful was her
character, made perfect through suffering
She saw light after light Of earthly Joy go
out on lifes highway, wave after wave
swept over her bark, yet calmly she Stood
and guiding it through the troubled waters
moored it in safety where storm can neEer
reach II more.
Oh. thou who hast been called to pass
through the deep waters of afiliciion, learn
a lesson of hope, patience, and resignation
from Anna Heyward's now finished life
Fear not in a WSrld hke this,
And tbsu shait know ere loag,
Know how sub1me thing 1t Is
/ To suffer and be strong