Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-06-28

ner pale lips. She felt she was the guilty
cause OF all her trouble. A little forethoucht.
little self-denial, a little discipline Of tenn
per, and all had been we'll. =
1t was long time. ere she ventured TO sit
down and rock the children, and they did not
soSn close their eyes in sleep. They would
start and scream, then draw back sueh lon0
sishs that the tears which trembled in the
mothers eyes would food her cheeks.
Nhen, at last, they rested IN a sweet, calm
slumbeT, she was at a loss how to put them
down, to release her weary arms, without the
risk OF new confusion. There was no one whom
sne could call upon for aid No one! Yes.
there was the little trembling creature whose
tender skin still smarted with the chastise.
nont Of an angry mother. .--
"LiAzie, called the mother, after long
SAlIe, IN very low, gentle tone.
Inc child was quickly beside her.
Bring your little chair, and sit dewn close
10 RE and see if you can draw the baby en-
Your lap without waking him -
Lizzie did as directed and the babe WAS
soon eiasped to her heart, her lips breathing
CHI ldish words Of sffection over its unconscious
form 'O"'
Very carefully did Mrs Leo lay down her
little Willie, and for some moments she sat be-
sido him, smoothing gently his fair brow.
tWining his golden locks around her fingers
and pressing the softest and sweetest of kisses
/ O..
too& from her arms the sleeping babe, and
placing 1t in the cradle, bent over 1t, whisper
ing the fondest terms Of erdcarment. Setting
down beside IL, she covered her face, and
thought grew busy. By and by, Liazie stole
quietly to the chair, knelt beside it, and
buried her head in her mothers lap. Mrs
Lees hands toyed with the soft brown Gu rls
that fell over it in such rich profusion, and
several times pushed them eff the forehead,
when the child felt the mute pressure of her
lips. For some time both were silent At
length Lizzie looked timidly up, saying, in q
touching voice,
Il am sorry, mother, made you go much
trouble. I'll try and never be thirsty again
when you are reading"
The mothers heart started; she drew the
child TO her bosom, embraced it fondly, close
ly, as though she thought by pressure to still
Its painful thrObbings. Then bearing her 10
tho bed, she sat her down, and hastily left the
room.
She soon returned, glass of water in her
hand. "Thank you, mother" said Lizzie.
when she had quenehed her thirst, ''yoU tCsH
hHre good time TO rcd nor, for shall go
right to sleep"
With her eyes brimful of tears the mother
bent over the child and kissed her again and
again. And Lizzie feeling that she was quite
forgiven, and not dreaming that she had been
more sinned against than shining, threw her
arms around her parents neck and gave back
kiss for kiss. Then, nesting On the warm pill
low Of her little brother, she closed her weary
eyes AMI in few minutes was sound asleep.
For long while the mother knelt beside the
low couch. and when she rose and set down
again By the stand, she left tho novel where
she had dropped it, but took from her basket
an unfinished doll, and with rspid fingers
piled her needle. 1t was long ere she placed
her head upon her pillow. When she did, the
doll, completed aLd neatly dressed, lay By the
side CT Lizzie; the novel, half. read, upon the
Lehigh in the stove, handful of light ashes