The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-05-20
BEL AIR, ND FRIDAY MORNING. MAY 20 1se4.@s

may / melt the heart with its softest,
most hallowed lays. l would wish to see
Genius bending low at my shrine, and ia
hear my name repeated by the learned
aud honored" o, -ss t4.l. .s -.r "a d
She ceased /; and those who heard knew
that the poetic fame was already kindled
in her breast, and felt it was possible fol-
her to attain the summit ut which she
aimed. The second, Helen, spoke
"Give me-" said she, "to mingle in the
delightful whirl of fashion and gayety
to be admired and envied by the throng
to reign in the ball-rooni and the gay lc-
wee; to be courted, and wooed, aud fat
tered; to lose myself in a perpetual round
of festiyity and mirth." ~,
And the picture seemed to absorb her
mind, for the last words died away in a
low murmur, and she sat as though lost
in thought, till, rousing from her reverie,
she Joined with Maude in calling upon
Alice, the remaining one of the trio, to
follow their example. A light stole from
the depths of her dark eye, and shadow
rested on her sweet face, as she replied:
"Let me live for Him who died for
mev' .sg,.-, .,-.ay4.a.u
She would have said more, but her
low, earnest tones were interrupted by the
tramp Of horses and the sound of wheels.
Their conversation was forgotten. They
rushed to the door. A hasty kiss was
imprinted on cheek and lip, a hurried fare.
we'll spoken, aud they parted-forever.
Again, six years have rolled away. To
some, they have brought trial and sorrow.
Some frail banks they have launched into
the boundless ocean of eternity. But to
Maude, Helen and Alice, they have spared
life, health and joy; and unlike the fire.
quent experience of mortals, to them have
been realized the dreams of their girlhood.
The first is worshiped and honored in the
literary world. Her name is everywhere
known and admired. Thousands do hon.
age to her genius, and the power of her
song thrills in cottage and palace. But
amid it all, she signs for kindred hearts
for the warm tones of true affection, which
nowhere greet her ear. There is a thorn
among her roses, drop of gall mingled
with her cup of joy.
In another sphere of life, the proud
Helen moves, the reigning belle Of her
circle. She shines brightest amid the
beautiful-gayest amid the gay. The
praises of a throng of admirers wait on
her every step. All are conquered by
her magic sway. But Helen has quaffed
deep the intoxicating draught of fattery
She has become dead to all but self, and
the hearts with which she has triAed IN.
derstand too we'll the idolatry. Yet in
better moments her heart yearns for some
nobler object, to ell the aching void which
siuful pleasures have left in her breast
Had she known the delight of living fol
orhers, perchance selfish joys would have
grown less in her esteem. ...a..
In a large church is assembled vast
crowd, to witness the marriage of one who
is about to leave his native land, to beal
the tidings ofsalvation to heather world
The young missionary leads to the altar q
bride exquisitely fair, in whose form and
features we recognize those of our beloved
Alice. Yes, that short wish of hers was
full of meaning. She falters as she takes
the solemn vow, which involves a rendine
fall ties that bind to home and country
but the light of faith CLOVIS in her earnes,
eye, and the drmuess of high resolve is
written on her calm brow. She, too, had
realized the beautiful aspiration of hel
early youth-"Let me live for him who
died for me-" 500