Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-09-21
YALBS &, SKETCHES
HERBERT AND /.

loved each other better than the life God
had given us.
The rest of the household had gone t.
concert, and | sat by the library fire
lonely aud despairing.
After all, it is very bitter thing tC
quarrel with the one we love best on al
the earth. went to the window, and
hiding myself behind the heavy curtain
] looked out on the busy streets. All out
side was dreary. The wind was jubiant,
the sky was gray, and the moonlight cold
or than all.
Within, all was tropical warmth and
luxury. Broad waves Of crimson flooded
the library floor, from the bright auhra
cite coal burning 10 the open CRATE. |
thought only | and the servants had been
left at home What, then, was my sur
prise to see Herbert enter?
He came so noiSelcssIy in his slippered
feet, that [ never heard him till the door
opened.
He looked pale and sad, and the broad
white brow, aud dark mournful eyes had
lost their usual calm expression. noticed
how YEARLY he sank down in the great
chair, and how his fine mouth was COM
pressed as though in pain; it set me to
thinking. [ 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 quarrel? |
longed to put my arms round his neck and
tell him so, but was too proud | knew
he was going away to morrow, and | knew
the fault of our estrangement was all mine
Would | see him 90 and make no sign?
Could [? Would |?
He bowed his head upon his hands and
moaned. 1t thrilled me through and
through; but the ugly little devil Juggling
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 te0 suns had set since | had ar
rsyed myself against Herbert | was dis
tracted between the angel and the demon
In all his life Herbert Graham had loved
only me; at least he had told me so, and
| believed him. You had but to look at
his calm, truthful eyes to feel that a lie
had never Sullied his pure soul; besides
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 abate Que whit He wrote
rapidly for an hour and half, during
which time | wrestled with my stormy
soul, listening alternately to the angel and
the demon.
Lhave 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 | wlled 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
a Claude like picture of the dream he was
IN the habit of dreaming, under the sun
shine, with eyes open wide
a home darling, where the orphan,
Herbert Graham, will be lonely no more.
A home at last where the tripping Of wo-
mans feet, and the sound of woman's
voice, will sound like music A home
where sweet wife will sit by the fireside
that has been so lonely-a small woman.
with fowing robes and oft.faliTg hair;
without ornament, only narrow strip of
rich lace around the white throat and
dainty wrists; woman that will Eli every
nook and corner of the pastors home and
heart
This he had said, with his fine face
aglow only little time before, and now it
WAS all over. The home would never he
and the woman who was to bring all his
JOY had been tried and found wanting,
sank upon my knees, under shadow
OF the window curtains, aud carried nv
desolate heart to God. The face of the
angel was very near to me then, and I
would not listen to. the demon harping;
'Do not yield; if you yield to him now
you will always have to; it's lust as Won
begin
l wept and prayed alternately, and
thought Of the past
linen, forgetting to pray, my spirit
looked down through the amber and GOLD
OF the years to where youth and maid en-
stood by new made grave and pledged
their faith; and later, how the same youth
and maiden stood betrothed lovers, with
my parents sanction, and Gods blessing.
inll OF glad young life; rich with immeas-
uraoie hope. and now-I despairing and
Herbert full OF anguish, but bowing meek. |
y, because he was servant of the Most
high' and knew this trial was God.ap-
pointed.
Herbert finished the papers and once
more sat down by the fire.
Last Sabbath he had preached his first
sermon as an ordained minister of Cod !
preached it with this sorrow had caused
him Juggling at his baart