The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-08

came. saw sharp look Of rain psss over her
face; but It was hidden from David, and her
voire was unchanged. t.I fsef n - - =
:, ~ VII! tell ySo q mine ar.t. please think
something that will make you seErv: ri he
thinks 1t will be better told By me, because. he
says, you are fond Of me, and" she made 4 little
pause, and seemed to draw in her breath before
'. He has decided not to come home snv mora
he loves that country better than his own. he
has quite decided not to return; he is very hspov
there, he says. and he has--formed q tie-so close
and loving fn that new land. that-his life can Be-
no more lonely. He says he leaves his sisters
with one who can we'll take his place, and ha
trusts TO ne TO tell them, because he always
felt as II were his sister; and ought to
nave TOLD you dinerentiy-bus could not. That
10 ALL" -s - -
David had risen as she repeated these words.
and had come round where he could see
ter face. He asked one breathless, wonder
ing question: did Erie write ths?n and when
she nodded. and made as If she would pass her
letter to him. be turned away. felt as If in a
edream when l opened mine there were only
hree lines. except the words OF love at the end:
g Dear Little Fife Hope will bring you this,
ana will tell you Of my. resolution. Ihave my
own home now, and cannot leave it. God bless
you all !" -..
Holding the letter tightly in my hand, left the
room: i did not mind what Hope thought. She
alone. don't know how the time passed Winnie
disturbed me at last coming to tell me the carriage
was waiting. | went down. calmly, Knowing it was
best that We should 60, and when Mr.. st. George
spoke 30 easily and naturally of Ere's decision,
OF his attachment TO foreign lands and of his find
ing wife there, the dreamy unreality Of our
misery melted away, and began TO wonder and
doubt, with strange mixture Of happiness and
pain.
The evening was pleasant, IL not very cheerful
and when. at last, We found the snow was falling
heavily, We we're persuaded TO remain till next
day. Winpie, tirod out. was glad to 60 to bed at
once, and was relieved, for felt that our own
home would seem dreary to as all that night.
Ef1e" said Hope. rather suddenly, "papa
cannot spend his Christmas night without music
let us siDg something"
could not understand Hope that night 40 male
she was. until she spoke aud then flushing so sud
denly; nor had ever seen until then the little soft
hands trembling and uncertain. She looked withal
SO beautiful as she began to play, that glanced iu
her, but be was looking only at the music. Then
We sang, " For unto rs child Is born" we
three missing the voice that used to help. After
that we sang Pergolesi's Glory to God in the
H HShe ssra,a Then mSIs looking Up at David
please, both Of you, while sing alone.'
II know that my Redeemer liveth.- Soms-
times, even now, hear the clear notes ringing in
my heart, with their beautiful triumphant Words
did not look up until she had finished then saw
that David haG covered his face. Mr.. st. George
left the room after that; but Hope hardly seem |
ing 10 think Of us. turned the pages of the book
before her and sang. softly. He shall feed His |
flock like shepherd" then she came quietly |
from the piano.
"David.' she said, stopping beside him. with A |
gentle touch upon the hand that hid his face, |
" does my singing make you ssdf"
Yes, sad-without hope" His low words were |
strangely distinct In the ouietness. |
Can sing anything that will give you hope?" /
10 MN, as well as to me, the question sounded |
strange, ending SO with her name. She had not |
thought of II till she saw the flush on his face
when he looked up. He answered with trembling |
lips: You can do it, Hope, with few words |
and no music"
And she said, with little smile, 4" Then il ia
easily given, David"
He was looking at her in such wonder and be.
wilderment that she moved away towards me-
" Ellie, let US go to bed this Christmas Day Is
gone forever. As papa would say, it is to-mor-
,ame In from Upton, and. meeting me alone, drew
ne to him, with dancing light in his eyes,
Ellie, little mother. kiss me IN my happiness"
Then it is so, Day." |
Yes, it is SO, thank Cod"
Erle's home and mine. For away stretch the
ich and boundless pastures near me- at the open
lass door looking out upon them, Erie is resting.
The oidlook OF pain is not so often on his face as il
vas when Winnifred and came out to him nine
ears ago. and do not feel afraid even when he
ellis me that sometimes he feels as IL the resting
lme were near. never cease to be grateful that |
came; he says have made this look like the
Apply old home where we grew up together, as
re are together now.
We talk for hours Of the old times, but never
peak Of that night when he read David's secret,
DC never Of that letter that he wrote to Hope.
here was the gladstone music of childish voices
, their home before they heard who had been
rle's one close friend and lived with him az a |
rother. We found him here, a true aud faithful
ompanion. We watched him, after years went
y. stealing Winnie's heart; we watched him
lesliDg into hers and we gave her to him with
ut a fear or doubt of their happiness, and we
'oked into each others eyes, and felt there need
e no fear Of further psrtings till the last one
ame. So we are together, here In our fair
australian home-the old number We have
herring. loving news of our dear ones across the
"a, and my life is full of happiness yet often