New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-10
Chapter vi.

Chapter vi.
Oh God thy ways are wondrous and
past finding out; and thy mercy is bound
less. Who would have thought that the
base insult and long maddening fever were
to result i'll such change to the lives of the
three orphans
Mrs. Burn and Albert Ray heard of the
adopted plan and entered fully into it. The
school was soon gathered and Mary COM
menced her congenial work with bright,
happy heart. From her parents she early
learned the magic power of controlling
children through love and frmness. With
Willie and Ella she had already put it in
practice. Her heart opened up as naturally
to the love of children as the. geranium
reaches out its delicate petals to the warm,
genial sun rays, and what is task to most
persons was pleasure to her.
MARY, leave for Europe tomorrow to
be gone just two years, when if God spares
my life will be back to you"
This was Albert Rays farewell. 1t might
mean a great deal or it might mean nothing,
put he had said "a will be back tc you" and
this was enough to tighten Mary's ,abo1s,
and cheer her through two whole years Of
absence.
"Well, Fanny, so Albert Ray has gone to
Europe for two years"
eyes, he and his sister are strange peo.
pie; can not understand them; but unless
I make better match during those two
years who knows what may happen when
he returns"
81 think you had best not think any more
Of him, and turn your attention elsewhere.
There is Philip Reynolds dying for you
now"
LAS for Phil. Reynolds think Fanny
Smith and her fortune at her command is
far better than Mrs. Reynolds and Philip
Reynolds to spend it for her, No, indeed,
mother, if ever marry must raise my
position; Tor nothing else will resign free.
dom and fortune into the hands of man.
Nor do by any means despair Of Albert
Ray; yet as | said I shall not be idle or re.
fuse q better Offer
Naught of sorrow or joy can stay the flight
OF time, and two years have lightly sped
over the lives of the young orphans. They
have found charming home and loving
mother, and Mary has been so occupied
with her scholars and her studies that she
has scarcely noted the feet wings Of time
as they swept by; but the two years and
one month have passed, and Albert Ray
comes not; and her heart is growing sick,
and Mrs. Moreau notes that her steps seem
weary, her cheeks are pale, and her eyes
have lost their lustre, yet she protests that
she is perfectly well. Tonight is a lovely
night; from out the full.erbed moon soft
amber-tinted light glides over the earth; the
| upturned hearts OF the roses open out to the
dewy kisses Of the night winds, and the
FREELY wings upon the breeze and decks
shrubs and flowers with its glowing, fitful
| light. The grasshopper and katydid chirp
musicaly to the silvery moon. Mary notes
not these beauties, or gives one oblation OF
her soul to kind, mOtherly nature. But why
does she spring to her feet, start forward,
then stand trembling like frightened
fawn listening for the slightest sound The
ringing of the hall bell is Of daily occur
renee, yet it has strangely startled her.
Is Miss Forrest in Z"
This Is simple question, yet she bounds
forward with glad light beaming over her
face, to seek composure in her room ere
going down.
:" will light the room in a moment, sir.r
No, I prefer this light. Say to Miss
Forrest that Mr. Ray awaits her.p
As Mary entered the room where only the
soft moonlight foated in upon the perfumed
breath of flowers strong hand grasped
hers and drew her up to a window beneath
the light of heaven. The manly voice
quivered as he spoke; ~.
Mary, have been i'll a month, and could
not come sooner. But now tell me, do ]
come in vain Mary, will you be my wife,
or shall go back across the seas to struggle
with great GRIEF"
And Albert Ray pressed the little hand
conVulsively, and leaned low to catch the
whisper from the trembling lips.
"You shall stay, Mr.,Ray."
Albert drew the orphan girl to his heart
and pressed the kiss of troth upon the
dropping brow.
Fanny Smith stood al the window with a
delicate note in her hand:
will Miss Fanny Smith favor us with her
presence to-nightY We welcome back in
our midst our mutual friend, Mr.. Ray.
MRS. MoREAU.
II wonder if my charms have faded any,
And Fanny Smith scanned herself closely
in fulllength mirror.
Many friends were gathered in the stately
halls Of the prinoely mansion, yet very
quiet and subdued we're the lights
throughout.
Mary pleaded that it should be so. The
guests seemed to divine some surprise, but
thought not what it was, until approaching
steps in the hall called all eyes to where
entered Mrs. Moreau and the min
lister, then Albert Ray with Mary
on his arm, and Mrs. Burn beside her.
And in this simple form they were Joined in
holy bonds, bonds which were to sit as
lightly upon the two lives as tether Of
roses, yet as binding as Gods hely covenant.
Tears trembled in the eyes Of Ella and VIII
lie as they looked fondly upon dear sister.
Il Eous..w Gr,4Nbta ka..k ..,.. :. Isktf.