Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-08-14

old minister talk to Grace after the ceremony had
ended. He had united her father and mother in
marriage, he Lad christened both her and her sis
ter in the same village church, and he had re
peated, with solemn tone '' Dust thou art, to
dust RETURN" ut the grave of both her parents.
Mr.. and Mrs Woodley were to seek home in
the far west, leaving Edith alone. In vain did
Grace plead with her to accompany them, but
Edith was firm in her decision.
"Our father left his estate in my care" she
said 90 and would it be right to leave it in the
hands of strangers merely to crafty my own
wishes? No; must remain here, sad and lone
ly. Go, dear sister, and be happy"
Long and earnestly the sisters talked, for on
the morrow they were to part.
The morning sun rose clear and bright, and
smiled upon the green trees and fields that had so
lately donned their summer attire. Many were
vending their way to the wharf, where awaited
the steamer that to bear our loved one away.
The deck was thronged each anxious to witness
the last signal from friends on land. All! there
were sorrowing hearts on board well on
land
The signal bell rang forth its warning peal, the
last farewell words exchanged, the last part
ing kiss given, and the gallant vessel moved
slowly on. Edith watched the white sails until
they were lost in the distance, and then slowly
retraced her footsteps to the home made desolate
by the departure of her sister.
Time passed on. Summer had passed with its
sunshine and showers autumn, with its rustling
leaves and sweeping blasts; and winter had
again been succeeded by the bright spring time.
Miss Templeton was still at her home, the
same calm, loving friend. The poor never went
needy from her door, and they learned to call her
blessed. She lived to do good. May she receive
her reward in Heaven.
Herbert Greyson was still abroad. Edith had
received several letters from him file with glow
ing accounts of his travels. She heard from
Grace but not often, yet she knew, by her letters,
I that she was unhappy. Her husband had spent
her money mostly in gambling. Edith had sent
them large sums from her own portion, but still
they were very poor. How her sisters he..rt
| bled as she read those sad letters. She wrote
| thus in one of them:
=" We have a little Minnie here. Sister, you
remember the story of Blind Minnie;' > well
have given her that name, for, Edith, Minnie is
blind She opened her blue eyes in this world
rot to behold the glorious sunshine, which God
in his goodness has given to the children of earth.
! But l trust, like the heroine of the story, that
| her sight will be restored. She seems almost too
| frail for this world, and pray our Heavenly Fa-
ther to spare her TO me, my only source of com
| fort except your letters"
On reading this Edith's resolve made; she
hestated no longer at accomplishing what she
| had long designed-that was, writing to Mr..
Woodley, offering him share in her land if he
would bring Grace home and live with her. She
| soon received an answer from him. Her offer was
accepted, ard, in a few weeks, they were to leave
their present home and come to her.
" Grace's health is very poor" wrote he. q
| fear she has the consumption"
How Edith's heart up in rebellion towards
the destroyer of her sisters happiness. How cod
she meet him as her sisters husband, and treat
him with proper civility? Her pure heart shrank
from deception .' but what is my happi-
ness - said she to herself. {" Did l not promise
my dying mother to shield my sister from all
harm Oh, why did not yield to my better judg
ment in regard to this mani But repentance
now is useless and even if sacrifice the whole
of the property my father bequeathei me in try
ing to make my sister happier, l shall no more
than fulfill my duty" Ah little did she dream
of the sacrifice she was yet to make
When the June roses bloomed again Grace
| Woodley returned to her childhood home, never
again to leave it. The sisters met with melan-
choly pleasure. Was it possible that the pale
features of Mrs. Woodley were those of the bright
laughing Grace Templeton, as she bad been in
her maiden days2 Edith was not slow to per-
ceive that consumption was fast hurrying her to
the grave.
s' Nothing is changed, dear Edith" said Grace,
on the evening of her arrival. "How happy the
servants were to meet me, although they hardly
knew their old favorite; and even old Tray re-
ceived me with his usual manifestations of plea
sure"
Poor Grace
"She thought the land that gave her birth
The dearest, sweetest spot on earth.'
Cali is the same about our home as when you
left it a bride but only thEk of the changes
that have been made in our happy family
within two short years. But trust we shall be
very happy together hereafter, especially now we
have little pet" And, as Edith spoke, she
kissed the baby cheek of blind Minnie, who was
sleeping quietly in her cradle bed.
Every day Grace visited the graves of her pa
rents until her failing strength gave way. Daily
she grew more frail, and Edith shuddered as she
tho't of the future when she should be alone, but
for Minnie, and one would not think, while gaz-
ing on her delicate countenance, she would long
survive her mother.
Mr.. Woodley had taken the whole management
of the tarm into his own hands. Edith did not
demonstrate, TOR the delicate health of her sister
forbade all excitement; and he had, when he saw