Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-05-10
For the American.
The Sunshine and Shadow Of Three


a.
1t was not handsome, or even pretty
face which was uplifted to Ray Morgan's
that June night; and yet twas a bright,
yonng face you would never forget after
seeing it once. The violet eyes lighted
np the whole countcnance with such a
glow OF tender light that half
". your heart would 20 out toward her,
whose life until now had caught very few
glimpses of sunshine-whose heart had
known no tender hand that would lift the
aching burden Of pain and care.
The blue eyes were filed with tears this
night, and the little hands in his. trem-
bled like prisoned bird in the dim un-
certain starlighthe could see the red lips
uuiyer, and almost involuntarily his arm
trept close around the slight form his
whispered words fell lower, as he bent his
head until his dark hair and warm breath
touched her cheek, He would be far away
ere mornings dawn and this was their part
ing. They might never meet again, but
she felt adown in the depths Of her wo-
mans heart ~
Doom takes to part US, will leave thy heart In
with pulses that beat double"
One week before he had breathed n
sweet, wondrous story to her, and she had
lain her hand within his and promised to
walk with him s'sthe long path" One
little week Of happiness, brief, beautiful
and bright; then came the parting. "Good
byc, ,"'he whispered. "and don't forget to-
night and me" For one moment she
paused to listen to his departing footsteps,
and then sought within the wall Of her
own room, peace for the weary, desolate
heart, rest for the tired, aching head. The
stars we're growing dim, in the blue heav-
ems above, and the moon came dancing up
the eastern horizon, as n figure knelt in
prayer. asking that lie would guard and
guide her soldier hero-brighien his life
aud bring him home to her lonely heart
and life. When she arose, a sweet, calm
peace had stolen over her. Prayer had
thrown a halo Of light around her, and
looking into her face now it was almost
beautiful. The simple child faith ip
God, Of her early years, had stolen into
her girlhood, and thrown over the future
bright light Of hope. But with the an
let US leave Jennie Lee and look upon a
picture which, ii more bright, is still less
holy.
he moon had arisen, in sea OF float
ing white clouds, aud looked down upon
tive forms, standing side by side, with
clasped hands, in the soft, silvcry moon
light. "Good bye murmured Ray Nor.
gan. "1'm coming back to you one of these
years, and he bent to kiss for the last time
the proudly curved lips Of Margaret Light
ner. The pride was all gone now, and
none OF it arose in her reply. "You will
find me unchanged, Ray she said softly
God bless you, good bye and she stood
at the gate alone. The moon in her vigil
gazed in through the open window, upon
form, bowed not in prayer, but grief
Years had passed, long years Of sunshine
and shadow, since prayer had crossed
her lips, yet in this hour, all the old year:
arose before her mind, while strange
wild longing swept over her, to be again
that sinless child. The old farm house
far. away with its clustering vines, its
wealth Of roses; her mother, who now
like herself had grown cold and worldly
folding her tiny hands together and teach
ling her to lisp "our Father" Could it be
she wondered, that she and that praying
child we're one and the same. The years
since then seemed one living falsehood, as
she went back, step by step, over the path
cf the vanished years. How strangely
were the sunbeams and shadows blended
together in the life she now reviewed, and
-sscftened, saddened by these old memories,
proud Margaret Lightner breathed prayer
for strength from on high. to bear the
coming pain and desalation which she felt
!. were written upon the pages Of her future
She who had not knelt in prayer since
..ehildhood, now in all the pride and glory
is Of womanhood, humbly asked a blessing
npon the head of him who had gone out
so brave in his young strength, aud hope.
ful in heart, to fight for the starry banner
:. of our country. Bidding this picture
goodnight, we will pass over tho interim
of two years, and look upon their lights
aud shadows.
The years crept on slowly to the ones
who watched and waited with fearful eyes
and brave. hopeful hearts for the coming
2 Of Ray Morgan. The days we're long
and oftentimes filed with pain and dark
thoughts-yet nightly his name was borne
on high, upon the white wings of prayer
and cast at Jesus feet, for blessing tc
rest upon the life Of him who was deare,
than life. itself.
There were times when the noon day
splendor burst upon them, in broad. brigh
CLEANS of sunshine, when letter cam,
from him, and each felt that nothing saw,
his presence could bring sweeter joy thar
the broad, white envelope, with its bold
dashing subscription and contents Of low
ing thoughts.
-. Came there ever to him in his soldie
tent far away, feeling Of remorse whel
he remembered the two who lived will
only one thought, to be loved by him
Crept there into his heart, during the Ion,
night hours fear of the Great Hereafter
In the magic walks Of Dreamland, stol
there visions of her, whose brown eye
Gand dark regal beauty oftentimcs cause,
him to forget the existence Of gentle Jen
- ME, Lee Or were his dreams oftene
- haunted by sweet, sad face, and a pal
Of fearful blue eyes, which dropped softl,
upon her flushed cheek, when his eye
were upon her.
. Two years sinceJh said good bye, an
in distant hospital lies Ray Morgan
the fever burning in his veins, and tn