Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-16

and say-"I cannot lvc." Slowly sh'
rose in the gloom Of the twilight, and
pushing aside the curtains which shut il
her sorrow from the world, sho looked
forth on the dusky landscape which
harmonized so fitly with her sad thoughts
IL cannot live What have to live for
What hope, what motive ?"
The evening star sent then its kndling
ray into hel eyes; and she remembered
the promise-"At evening time it shall
be light" She forgot for moment hcl
sorrow. Hopes sprung in her heart. Sht
felt a throb of life-a strange life. Ant
a new, holy trembling, thankfulness o1
fear. came over her. just then, whilt
she spake not for fear, and wondered. she
was conscious of footstep in the room
She turned suddenly. but timidly, ant
was clasped in long and loving EN-
brace. She rested on the breast which
while it bears life. offers solacc TO the
sorrows of those who were pillowcd there
in childhood. Marion was resting again
as helpless now rs when she first drew
breath upon her mothers heart.
Dr. Hart had married Marion with
every promise ofhappiness, Skillful and
honored in his profession, he was widely
sought by the wealthy and intelligent
but never in his prosperity did he forge,
the claims of those who could repay him
ouly with their good wishes and their
prayers. Early maturcd in mind, and
adding to the diligent study OF his art
the guidings of tender conscience. he
had already come, at the opening oil his
life. to be beloved as public benefactor
And at the same time no was respected
and trusted rs a skillful physician, by
those whose means commanded all that
money could purchase. Least of all men
it would seem, could he be spared from
the society which he honorcd and bcnc.
fitted. And he had just given that rs
surance which the world seems always TO
demand of the members of his profession,
by marrying the woman of his cho ice-a
choice which all his friends approved
Death entered. and the fond promise of n
life was in moment broken.
We cannot comprehend the mysteries
of Gods government when. ourselves uu-
touched we witness the destruction OF y
household Still less can those whose
hearts are broken by grief conceive how
He can be merciful. and yet thus ahlict
His creatures. No wonder Marion cried
Il cannot live -
But mothers pity, mothers conf
dence, n mothers counsel had come to
Marion Hart Far into the night did the
mother listen. while the stricken daughter
told. in a low voice, all the story of her
shattered life; and painted the broken
hopes Of the future on the dark ground Of
the desolation of the present. Circum-
stances had prevented the arrival OF the
mother during the sickness of her son-in-
law. dear 10 her as her own child. Nor,
even to console her daughter in her be-
rcaycmcnt, could she come. until after
the earth had received its dead.
Ii was as well. For Marion had pass
ed through the first anguish, under.which
excitement and occupation had sustained
her. She would now surely have tainted
in the desolation of the idleness Of grief.
but for her mothers coming. 1t seemed
as if that companionship had been re-
served until it was most needed. And
now the widow of threescore iclt that He.
who had created the relations OF mother
and child, had fitted them for mutual aid
under all the exigencies OF joy and OF sor-
row.
Marion told her mother all-morc than
to any other she could speak. And the
mother, as she soothed the young widow
into peaceful rest, was startled, in the
dim light OF the chamber, to see that a
faint smile, smile of hope, stole over
the sleeping face. An angel was whisper
ing to Marion as she slept; the angel of q
child the angel which behcld the face OF
the Eternal Father, before its mortal
ward had yet found its place in this world
of birth and death, of labor and ofprayer.
At midnight, in a darkened room,
Filled to faintness with perfume,
a woman lay at point OF doom.
The word, "a child is born," sometimes
brings with its joy bitter sadness; as
when the mother, relinquishing, as it
were, her life to her successor. names
him-"Son ofmy sorrow" And SO it
seemed it would fare with Marion Hart.
Anxiously for many weary days, did her
friends watch her couch. Feebly, and
almost without recognition, did the
mother regard the child, which ofiicious
affection frequently placed before her
eyes, in the hope to recall her spirit to the
world, from which it seemed half gone;
10 awaken in her breast the desire to live.
At length Marion family smiled; and il
the little immortal could not yet read his
mothers glance, still that smile sent hopes
into older hearts, and they thanked God
and took courage.
One grief they trusted and believed was
spared them, the loss OF Marion. But
there still remained another. For when
the father who should have welcomed his
child into the world has gone before its