The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-04-16

hold duties, and the care of the invali,
mother, she was assisted by her siste
somewhat younger but she alone wa.
the hope, the dependence, the slight il
a dark place." the sustaining pillar
animating soul of that sad, neglected
family. She was school teacher
mantaumaker, milliner, tailoress-al
things for the good and comfort o
those she loved. Dear Elizabeth
when | remember your meek piety
your energy, patience, sweetness ant
courage, / were humbled at the yer,
thought of you, did I not know tha
there is no reproach in your goodness
But in her mothers last illness tn.
noble girl over-tasked herself; and
hard struggling against diseases, sh'
became alarmingly i'll, with nervous
fever. Again, weeping more bitterly
than ever, went little Jamie for ths
minister, whom he met returning from
the parochial visit narrated at the close
of the last chapter. Elbridge turned
pale at the intelligence which the bo,
sobbed forth, and accompanied hin
home. He found Elizabeth manifesting
the same serene resignation which hal
lowed the death-be of her mother
Before be left, however, DR.. N, arrived
and pronounced her better, and the an
gel of hope revisited that desolate
home. Slowly, very slowly, came back
strength and health to that overwrought
spirit and frame; and pleasant and
profitable were the young clergyman.
frequent visits to the interesting inva
lid. He was sometimes accompanied
by Katherine, who professed to love
her cousin fervently; and she did mo-
fear his heart because he constantly
encountered there the young physician
to whom it was rumored Elizabetf
Blair was betrothed.
At last the invalid had so recovered
as to appear again at meeting. Pale
very pale she was; but lovlier thar
ever, thought those who loved her.
Elbridge saw that it now would bs
but proper for him to make his visit,
less frequent, and he did SO. Their
was he haunted by strange feeling O
unrest-he forgot his engagement-h.
talked to himself-he grew careless O.
his dress-he lost his appetite in
Snort, lie acas IN loUe; but not with
Katharine Denny; oh, no, not with
Katherine Denny.
When our hero became aware Of his
dangerous malady, he began treating
it with promptness and severity. He
first prescribed for himself total alb
sence t,om a certain abode of beauty
and worth-love's own log temple, built
in the wilderness.
A dead failure! for did he not see
that face delicately flushed with return
ing health, looking up to him with
sweet seriousness, every blessed Sun
day?
Matters were in this interesting state
when, while returning one sabbath
evening from a neighboring town
where he had been preaching, storm
compelled him to seek nights shelter
in farm house by the way. Soon af
ter who should ride up but DR.. N
He came in, dripping with the rain
and laughing in his own peculiar and
joyous manner.
"The DOCTOR" now one of my mos,
valuable and reliable friends, was one
you might see once and remember al
ways. His frank, handsome, heart
beaming countenance daguerreotyped
itself inevitably on the memory. H.
was the "prince of good fellows" in
the very best sense of the term. With
his freedom of mind, warm, unchecked
affections, and hopeful, cheerful pbilos'
ophy, he lived up to the full measure OF
life. Once, or twice, during the eve
ming, as his fine face glowed with the
inspiration of some thought, fashingly
beautiful, or exqnisitely grotesque, FL.
bridge was slightly conscious of Ger
tain unministerial feeling, known to the
world as jealousy; bnt he coughed il
down, as out order, being the sugges.
ton of gentleman in black" not Gin
good and regular standing"
When the hour for retiring came, as
there was but one "spare bed" Elbridge
was obliged to ''tmn in' with his un.
conscious rival. Some time in the night
the doctor awoke. The storm had
passed, and the moon was shining pure
ly pale through the uncnrtained win
dow. Above him, bent Elbridge, with
his large, luminous eyes fixed with a
peculiar and serching expression on his
face, and his hand pressed closely
against his heart.
"Wbat the deuce-!' cried the start
led doctor.
"Husb," said the olergoman, in a
solemn tone, 81 want you to tell me the
truth"
"Well, do you think you have got to
take fellow by the heart before you
can get that?'
"Pardon me-" said Elbridge, but
without removing his hand, 81 have to
ask you question on which my life's
happiness depends. Will you answer
me truly ?"
81 will if it is in my power"
"Do you love Elizabeth Blair s''
eyes" hi
''That is sufficient" said Elbridge,
falling back upon his pillow.
Sufficient is it p said N, and
he turned himself wall ward. But
presently, bis good feelings getting the
better of his waggery, he continued !:
81 do love Lizzie Blair-that's a stub
horn fo,.f-lnxo har &c a sister. hut ;f