Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-07-21
II + RBERT AND I.
BY DAISY HOWARD.
[ from the New York Merciirr ]

rather we were estrangcd--and yet VIC
loved each other better than the life God
had given us.
The rest of the household had gone to
a concert, and | sat By the library-frc,
lonely and despairing.
After all, it is very bitter thing TO
quarrel with the one we love best on all
the earth. | went TO the window, and
hiding myself behind the heavy curtain,
looked out on the streets. All outside
was dreary. The wind was jubilant, the
sky was gray, and the moonlight colder
than all.
Within, all was tropical warmth and
luxury. Broad waves of crimson flooded
the library floor, from the bright anthra-
cite coal burning in the open. CRATE. l
thought only | and the servants had been
left at home. What, then, was my sur
prise to see Herbert enter?
He came so noiselessly in his slippercd
feet, that never heard him till the door
opened.
lie looked pale and sad, and the broad
white brow, and dark, mouruful eyes had
lost their usual calm expression. I no.
ticcd how wearily he sank down in the
great chair, and how his fno mouth was
compressed as though in pain; it set me
to thinking. j remembered how long
and well he had loved me- and fierce
pang tore my heart as | thought how
we'll / loved him.
Was 1t not going to cost more than it
would come to--this lovers quarrelY /
longed to put my arms around his neck
and tell him so, but | was too proud. I
knew he was going away tomorrow, and
l knew the fault of our cstrangcment was
all minc Would l see him 90 and make
no signs? Could |? Would l?
He bowed his head upon his hands and
moaned. 1t thrilled me through and
through; but the ugly little devil tugging
at my heart kept saying, Don't humble
yourself to any man." while my guardian
angel, looking over my shoulder grew
sad, and said:
"Let not the sun go down upon your
wrath"
Already ten suns had set since had
arrayed myself against Herbert. | was
distracted between the angel and the de-
mon. In all his life Herbert Graham
had loved only me; at least he had told
me 30, and | believed him. You had
but to look at his calm, truthful eyes to
feel that n lie had never sulled his pure
soul; besides, my Herbert was one of the
humblest of Gods servants.
BY and by he lighted the gas, and
went to writing letters; but the sadness
of his face did not abatc one whit. He
wrote rapidly for an hour and half
during which time / wrestcd with my
stormy soul, listening alternately to the
angel and the demon.
have thought since, that night was
the turning point in my life. l thought
of the future. which might be SO bright,
or so dreary, just as L wiled it.
thought how Herbert had built up all
| his hopes on the future We were to share
together.
Only fortnight ago he had drawn me
Claude-like picture Of the dream he
was in the habit of dreaming, under The
sunshine, with eyes open wide.
"a home, darling, where the orphan,
Herbert Graham, will be lonely no more
\ home at last where the tripping of wo.
mans feet, and the sound Of woman,
voice, will sound like music! A home
where sweet wife viii sit by the firesidt
that has bced 50 lonely--a small woman
with flowing robes a narrow strip of ricl
face around the white throat and daint,
wrists; woman that will fill every nool
and corner of the pastors home and
heart
This .ho had said, with his fine fac,
aglow only little time before, and nov
it was all over. The home would neye
be, and the woman who was to bring al
this joy had been tried aud found want
ing.
| sank upon my knees, under shadoy
Of the window-curtains and cried nv des
olatc heart to God. The face of the an
gel was very near to tltem then, and
would not listen to the demon harpinp:
"Do not yield; if you yield to him nov
you will always have to; it's just as 20,
begin"
wept and prayed altcrnativcly, ant
thought of the past, present, and future
Then, forgetting to pray, my spirit
looked down through the amber and golc
OF the years to where youth and nader
stood by new-madc grave and pledged
their faith; and later, how the same youtl
and maiden stood betrothed lovers, will
parents sanction, and Gods blessing; full
Of glad young life; rich with immeasura
bic hope and now-I despairing, ant
Herbert full of anguish, but bowins
meekly, because he was a servant Of tn,
Most High, and knew this trial was God
appointed.
Herbert finished the papers and one
more sat down by the fire.
Last Sabbath he had preached bis frs
sermon as an ordained minister of God
nreached with tb;s so- n,