Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-07-20


From that time, for ten years, her name
had been forbidden word. Letters she had
written at first during her banishment-but
they had been sent back unopened and for
years no voice or token had come to tell
whether she were dead or living. Therefore,
the mother looked shudGeringly into the
shadow haunted corners, in the long twi-
nights, and almost believed that she saw there
the face for which her mothers heart mad
ycarned momently all those years.
Judge Howard loved his wife, too, if
she had but known it? Every outline of
tnat sad, waiting face, every thread of that
silver hair, was dearcr to him now than when
the bridal rose crowned the girl bride he
nad chosen, out his lips never soothed away
the sadness Of that patient face.
1t is terrible night he said, at length
arousing himself from his long silence In
the pause after his words, you could hear
how the wind shook the house groaning
among the trees, and signing along the gar
den walk.
Yes, terrible night his wife answered
with a'shudder. God grant no poor soul
may be out in it shel,crless.'
Amen would take in my worst enc
my on such>a night as this
! Lis worst enemyl But would he have
taken in his own child-the daughter with
! his blood IN her veins, and who fed once at
bis heart1? Il this question crossed the
| Vlfes mind, she gave it no utterance.
! Shall Light the candles, Rufus p she
asked meekly.
! Yes, it is almost bed time. I had forgot
ten how long we were sitting in the dark. I
VIII read now, and then we shall be better
in bed
He drew toward him the Bible which lay
between the candles she had lighted. 1t had
been his habit, for years, to read a chapter
| III it nightly. Somehow, tonight the pages
opened at the. beautiful, ever new story of
the prodigal son. Judge Howard read it
through calmly, but his hand trembled as he
shut the book
Hannah, he begun, and then paused as
II bis pride was still too strong to permit
him to confess himself in the wrong. But
should seek to be numbered with the chill
dren Of God. He is our Father, and His
arms are ever open to the wanderer- My
heart misgiyes me sorely about Caroline
She should not have disobeyed me, out--do
never dsobey God, and where should [ be
! if lie measured out to me such measure as
| have measured to herr Oa. Hannah, | never
| felt before how much I needed to be for
given
The mothers tears were falling still and
| fast-she could not answer. There was ST.
lence for the moment and again the Judge
said, restlessly, Hannah,' and she looked up
into his white moved face
Hannah, could we find her? Do you
thinks she live stll-our one child?'g
God knows, my husband. Sometimes
think that she is dead sec her face on
dark nights, and it wears look of heaven
ly peace. In the winds [ hear voice that
sounds like hers-she seems trying to tell
me she has found rest. But no, nop-her
face kindled-' she is not dead. feel it In
my soul-God will let US sec her once moro
: i am her mother-I shall not die till my
kisses have rested on her check, my hand
!, touched her hair. | believe have prom
ise Rufus
God grant it, Hannah
, And after those words they both sat silent
= ly, again, listening-lstening.
They had not heard the door open, but now
, a step sounded in the hall, and the door Of the
t room where they sat softly unclosed. They
t both started up-perhaps they half expectet
S to see Caroline, but it was only their mex
c door neighbor, holding by the hand a child
!. She spake eagerly, in half-confused way
/ which they did not notice.
: This child came to my house, Judge, bu
S / hadn't room to keep her, so brought he
t over here. win you take her in p
t Surely, surely. Come here poor child
= Who had ever heard Judge Howard's voic
T so gentle? The little girl seemed somewha
reassured by it. She crept to his knee, an
r lifted up her face. The Judge bent over hel
d Whose were those blue, deep eyes? Wher
6 had he seen that peculiar shade of hai
!, like the shell of q ripe chestnut? Did b
d not know those small, sweet features, ths
d wistful mouth, the delicate chin? His hand
e shook.
IT Whoso-whose child are you? What
Of your name?
'r Grace and the girl trembled visibly.
r tlIracn unntlnu Said thn hn,,S -oic