The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1865-02-24

deeper, more intense black, with the Joy
which fills them. The sweet lips are part>
ed hreathlessly, while 4he- words, s'It is
!. aFFrnests--it can PsF 10 OtheEPTesoaPe
them.
So she stood with the little snowflake
hands cIasped tightly Ger her heart tilI-the
officer dismounted at the gate and came
slowly up through themOonlight. Theni
with a cry of joy she sprang to. welcome
him, but the words died out in nqmeless
terror upon herIips, for it was not Ernest,
but stranger that stood before her.
Removing his cap, he said, 'I believe
L I address Maude Arden2"
She bowed. Paul GerOld-fOr it was
none other-knew not how to break the
sad news to the fair, trusting girl before
him, locking so unconscious Of all i'll.
How could be tell her that which would
crush the life out Of her heart How
tell bertha the lover for whom she wait
ed was lying white and still on the plains
of the sunny South. rs sZ
"Lady," be said, Ernest Trevanion was
my best, my dearest friend; he was
"Ohl then, you come from him p she
interrupted eagerly, her whole face light
ing up again. "Is he coming-my
Ernest ?"
"DeaF lady, Todld to God he was com
ing. But be is dead. 1 was with him
in bis last bours-reeeiFed Els latest
breath. He gave me this ring and tress
Of hair for you" Then, in a trenul0us
voice, be delivered the loving messages
which Ernest had sent.
Maude listened, and slowly the flush
died out from cheek and lips, leaving
them deathly white; while a look Of bof-
rOr and despair crept over her face, and
the small hands eluthed tightly at the
railing for support. When be had ended
she took the ring and lock Of hair, press
ed them to her heart and lips, and with
a low cry of unutterable agony sunk
slowly to the floor, her white dress falling
around her like snow wreath. Tenderly
he carried her in and restoratives were
applied Slowly she came back to con-
sciodsnsss, and, sitting the agony in her
heart, she inquired for the particulars of
Ernest's death. Paul told her, remem-
bering, for her sake; many incidents
which would otherwise have escaped his
memory; and concluded by saying "Now,
Miss Arden, my painful task is discharg-
ed, and I must 60, for duty calls I
could not rest until I had seen you. 1
knew how your heart must be watching
and waiting, for Ernest Trevanion was a
man for whom woman might die and
think the world well lost. One whom, to
know truly, was to love for all time If
ever you need a friend, call on me. Twill
come, though hundIels Of miles inter-
veue." u .-..r.. r.s..-.-.. -s..
With trembling voice and a face stony
in in its mute agony, she thanked him
for his kindness to Ernest and herself |
Then, with warm. pressure Of the hand,
he turned to depart; bat, papsing in the |
doorway for another glimpse of this earth !
y angel, he saW Maude on her knees
with her face buried in the cushions. She
was seeking help from the hand Of God. |
Maude was a woman with a warm, low
ing heart, and her heart with its wealth
of affection, had been given to Ernest
Treyapion. And when the sacrifice was
consumed, she stood alone in the world,
with her heart crushed by It's weighto of
agony. Yet she did not die, but, with
face chastened by suffering, but more
beautiful now than in7the days of her sun
ny happiness, she goes among the poor
and suffering like a ministering angel, and
the touch Of her soft hand is like magic,
charming away the pain. Blessings are
showered upon her from lips all unused
to gentle words. She has found peace at
last.-Fhe bright June of her life drop
ped suddenly into bleak December, but
each day brings the long; dreary Winter
nearer its close and soon will dawn the
bright Spring, il which these two shall be
united again. ,