The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-10-16
>. BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY
Asleep" said the doctor. softly.

"Asleep," said the doctor. softly.
"Tell me truly, will he live?" shs nske,
tremuiously.
"lIc may, perhpas, with good attention,
was the reply.
"Oh. thank God for the hope" she said
ferven,ly.
Days wore on and yet Herbert Raymon,
showed no signs Of returning conscious
ness.
"Oh! my God, do not let him die, wa
Elsie's constant, earnest, fcrvent pruyer.
.Fever has almtcd considerable pulse Il
much better" said the physician, OF payinI
his usual visit to him one morning.
How Eisie's heart bounded at the words
A few hours later, Herbert opened his eye
and they rested upon Elsie.
"Do you know me, dearest brother,
she asked.
Al last the truth seemed dawning upoI
him.
"Darling sister. what does this mean
Where am Elsies" he said, faintly.
"Therc, yon must not talk now, dear
dear brother, you are very sick, when yo'
are better I viii tell you il oil.
iie closed his eyes with sigh like a wca
~ child, and slept n peaceful slumber
With her face hid among the pillows tear
orjoy fell from her eyes, while her henr
pulsed to the silent hymn ofgra,itude tina
ascended tho CIV erlasting hills even to tn
temple Of God.
"You need rest. you poor tired child,
soi,l the kind surgeon. "lie is 30 inucl
better you can safely leave him now.
will send some one TO relieve you foI
awhile.
"Ifyou please. no" said Elsie; "lprc'
fer remaining with him."
And with her watchfil care, and the
kindhearted surgeon s attendance, Lieutef'
ant Herlcrt Raymond was soon enabled to
leave tho hospital on leave Of absence un.
Ill lie should have recovered.
A month after his return homo, Herbert
came in from his usual evening walk, and
found Elsie sitting by tho window, with
her chin resting in the palm Of her hand
aud her hair floating loosely about heI
shoulders, watching the tree tops rs they
swnyed to aud fro over the spot where heI
idol was sleeping. So deep was her reverie
that she did not notice lierber's footsteps
an no entered the room.
Very beautiful she was in hor mourning
dress mot brilliantly beautiful, rs when tho
roguish smiles played hide aud seek about
her rosebud lips, and merry glances sho
from her sparkling eyes. The fainiest per
ccptiblc tingc Of rcd tinted her cheeks u
son, spiritual light slep, in her dark, mourn
c.l o.A hor hyN,v xuos fair mud lu m
rs snowdriit.
Herbert watched her few minutes, and
then going softly to her side, as if divining
her thoughts, he said,
"Icl us 20 there, Elsie"
II was very beautiful spot they had 80.
lected MS the resting place Of the young he
70. The sunshine seemed to fall with q
softer light through the swaying boughs
the wild birds song and the crickets
chip fell with soltened cadence and
the evening winds were As low and as
sweet ns an angels mlrmur.
Herbert Raymond was siandiog near the
pillared marble upreared 10 his brother .
memory, watching Elsie rs she knelt to ar.
range some flowers upon the grass. strewn
grave. AZ length he knelt by her side. and
drawing her head to his bosom, said
"Elsie, darling, 1t may seem almost sac
rilcge to tell You what must say here /;
hut because Il Is the most sacred place on
earth to you and me, am going TO tell you
what can no longer keep have long
loved you moro dearly than ever brother
loved sister. thought perhaps, i'll was
away from you could crush this love, for
dared not hope you would ever be more
than sister to me ;but there was one i'm
age ever before me, one name craven on
my heart that image was yours-that
name Elsie. God knows loved my broth.
er, and would not wrong Ills memory; ]
do no, ask you to forget him. only love me
too. You saved my life; do not spurn il
now. BE my own darling wife! let me live
for you" and he drew her closer to his
heart while she murlnured-
"Deares, Herbert. loved you long as
my brother, and when darling Will was
gone ] loved you for his sake now ] love
YOU for that and for your own dear sake ;
because I loved him first ,lo not love you
less"
When they returned home. Herbert led
: Elaie to Judge Vernon and told him all and
he took the hand Of each and said
God bless you, my children"
A few months later Elsie was sitting in
her old accustomed seat by the south win.
dow, turning over the leaves OF her journal.
She stopped and pencillcd these words
"Out Of the shadow light has come"
ELSIE RAYMOND.
ut is sweet namc," said deep, manly
voice at her side and her fair, soft fingers
wandered over his brow, and he pressed
his lips to hers as his voice dropped softly
over these words
elsie. my own darling Elsie |"