The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-18

lessly about the roems putting everything in
its place, and preparing something to tempt
the child's delicate appetite, ndstheught how
little the world knew of the beautiful life of
patient goodness in that upper room, of the
scenes of gentle kindness and unwearying de-
votedness daily enacted around the bedside of
that little sufferer Efies had long been hope-
1ess1y deformed,, and her blower limbs were
| shruuken and wasted Acute pain often kept
her moaning hour after hour. Jane was for
days the only one near her.~Ia fact, theehild
would seldom let Jane leave her, and no one
seemed to think that anything could be done
for her: so, in time, all became accustomed to
her illness, and it was deemed hardly worth
while to inquire. about. her. Her mother was,
dead, and her father belev ed that in asking Dr.
Gordon to come round sometimes and see her.
he was performing all 4 parents daty,zand
could do no more. Carrie complained that a
sick-room made her head ache, andin oonse-
quence seldomghonored it with her presence.
Harry was really ahfectionate and kind, and,
had often brought smile to the pale, little
face, that nothing else could. But with James
arrival there had come peace and happiness
to the childss heart, that had never before
found place there. Jane felt that her mission
on earth, though through sorrow and tears,
was one of the deepest and purest Joy. s.sass
That evening the parlors lresounded with
laughter and song. Harry came up once or
twice to see Effie. and finding her quiet, went
back again to the parlor. In the course of
the evening DIR. Gordon asked Carrie for
song, which she told him she had FORGOTTEN.
"Why, Jenny can sing that !' exclaimed
Harry.
"Who is Jenny. if may ask?'' inquired
the Doctor ~7ssg.sz =
"Oh, cousin of ours, who nurses Efie.''
- g Ascousin i did not know - 1<.
:" Certainly not" interrupted Carrie. "Few
know Jane, because she will never come into
the parlor.'' ~. ~. s. ,.as.=4s sa
"She is very retiring, indeed :, said Harry,
Significantly. ""I will go and see if / cannot
persuade her, for one night to overcome this
reluctance to. society" l-a
Carrie bit her lip with modification, and
rapidly passed her fingers over the keys of
the instrument, to preclude any further con-
versation. ....y,-zs .,.eE 4
In few moments servant came in with
a message from Harry, that the Doctor would
please walk up stairs. 5 s 80.
Harry was always so ridiculous about
some things,' said Carrie, turning to young
/ .,ha a5 har oboir @I,,o1 -,I
down languidIy into her face.
Al shaded lamp was burning in Efie's room,
and Jane was holding the child in her arms.
Harry held one of the little cold hands, so
sadly attenuattd, and she looked up affection
.ately into his face, while faint smile lighted
upyall her features. ,.5...4r -.sssraasa
"Jane,'' said the child, softly pressing the
hand that was round her, "you have been
very good to me, and God will bless you 1
am going home, and I will ask Him. -,
!. The. thin fingers relaxed their hold; they
were growing weaker. 1859 .....s,
The Doctor looked on silently: he felt that
a greater physician than he was relieving Eff
fe's sufferings.
b When the morning light stole into that
little chamber, it fell ;oh the face of still,
white figure, with hands crossed upon its
breast, and whose better part " had gone to
be an angelo .ss.i se,45sse.s.. ssst -a,a s
Es A month after this, DIR. Gordon was shown
into the sitting-room at Mr.. Wyndham's-.
Carrie was very beautiful in her mourning
silk, for it set off her fair complexion to great
advantage; Jane was quietly working, in her
| usual dress, for it had been thought too ex-
pensive for herato have black. ssShe was
only Effie's liurse,' said Harry, sarcasticalIy
fz. You ought to be ashamed Harry you
care more now for Jane than for your own
sister, replied Carrie, with tears of anger and
| modification. eas isE sEs'
Jane, ,"shei answered, taking his seat by the
latter as he spoke.
!" You know, Harry" she said, looking up
/ quietly. as she always did, I"that the dress
makes no difference to me. Nothing could
make her memory dearer to me-"
sAsmile of peace rested on her sailow fea-
lures as she spoke, gentle, patient smile,
that seemed to light up the soal within, and
make her almost beautiful. She looked a
moment at Harry and then her eyes went
back quietly to her work. 81
If Miss Weston will oblige me-" said the
Doctor, . called to seeif she would go with
me to visit sick woman near by. She is
sadly in need of some cheering words, such
Al, only one of her own sex can give her
She has every necessary comfort for the body,
but is extremely depressed and nervous. My
horse is ,waitirg for me, and if you will get in
the carriage and go with me, will be greatly
obliged.'' 49,, a- 55s.z
Jane was quickly ready for the ride. The
4 Doctor handed her in. aud stepping in aftei
her, they were soon far from Carrie and all
those littlespetty cares from which Jane had
known no respite for many weary week. Z.
The fresh air seemed TO impart glow to
} her cheek, and light sparkled in her eye
that made her seem another creature. sslzlA
When they returned home, before getting
out of the carriage, the Doctor said ~
: 81" i wanted to tell you this a long time ago
Jane, but knew, she could not spare you
) but my house is. sadly, in need of its mistress
and youswill not make mewait long. !" .-.t,s. =
! Carrie said Harry about a yearafterthis
",guess where dined to-day. But you new
, er will. With DR.. Gordon and his wife, ant
:, Jenny is actually beautiful. Happiness ant
foreign travel haveaso much improved her