Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-23

hour the gracee OF form and color were replaced
by another and brighter bea Ity-a beauty 50 spi-
ritual, 20 uneartbly, ii seemed as though the
sleeping there, bidding the summons to spread
its wings and take flight TO heaven.
At last, when the su was light in the heavens,
ss sfnS It; sry srs s
IRE Of delirum had given place to the calm light
Of reason In her eyes, and she gazed around
with IN inquiring look. ''Have L been i'll,
mother dear?" she said family.
"Yes, darling, very i'll.
"I don't remember falling ill.," said the dying
girl; everything seems gone from me-"
A tiny CRY from babys lips supplied the miss
ing link. The white forehead crimsoned and
the blue eyes filed with tears Of grief and
shame. 81 remember now. Oh, mother can
A loving kiss was the mothers only answer.
But it said enough.
"And father. does he knowl Will he forgive
me too"
David Holt rose and stood by his daughter
bedside, looking down upon her with ineffable
love and tie nderness The old love for his only
child repressed 50 long, now swept away all
barriers; pride, self-will, resentment, ali were
forgotten in the deep emotion OF that bitter
hour.
"My darling, may God forgive me as freely
~ have forgiven you all that have to for
"If you and mother forgive me. can feel
almost happy again. Oh, how nice tits to be at
home! But how did 1 come here? Who
The father and mother interchanged glances.
I'VE found you on the moor last night, Ally
and brought you home"
I" Last night! last night. 1 don't rem ember.
It's all gone from me. l seem mazed like; and
oh so weak Mother dear, am dying?"
The old woman tried TO speak, but grief choked
her. David answered for her, himself little less
moved. "My child, life and death are in the
Lords hands. His will be done -
Nay, David" said his wife, with effort,
Z" dontgive the child false hope now. Ally,
NO ind A1 Eranu that hat
The mothers voice broke down, but her choking
sobs told all the rest.
There was tie faintest culver of the dropping
eyeiids, and single tear rolled over the wasted
cheek.
care you afraid to die, Aliy?" said her IA
Their.
I've lOngcd for death many and many a time
lately, and PRAYED to be ready to meet it; and
now 1t has come i don't fear much. But it's
hard to leave you and mother SO soon after
have got You back, and my poor little baby.
May have him now, please mother? 1t won't
be very long, think. There is such a strange
feeling of numbness coming over me-"
kissed and fondled it with passionate tender
ness: sob, nv baby. nv baby! it's very, very
hard to leave y little wee baby all alone!"
Not alone, darling, not Alone" sobbed her
"No, not alone, said the dying girl, smiling
through her tears; mot quite alone, after all
Mother, dear, give him to you, the last gift of
"My darling, take him not as gift, but as
precious trust--a trust to keep for his mother in
heaven"
There was a long, quiet pause, in which moth
ing was heard save the heavy breathing of the
dying girl, and the hard tick of the clock on the
mantel-piece counting her life away.
The solemn stiffness was broken at last by a
voice so faint and low the listeners had to bend
forward to catch the parting words. Z" Mother
dear, where are you? / can't see you'll How
to me-
The doting arms drew the babe closer in last
embrace. Mother dear-baby-dOn't forget.
God bless-" And then the soul flew away
with the blessing On its lips and sped to tinisi,
MS loving prayer at the foot of the great white
Throne.
corner Of the window curtain had fallen
aside, and through the opening a stray sunbeam
crept in, and fell, quartered by an intersection
of the lattice, upon the white coverlet. Was il
an omen? Was it chance? The liteless form.
with smile on its silent lips, lay sleeping under
the shadow of the cross.
And now, AZ the freed soul shook the earth
from its wings, and spread its piuiOns for its
heavenward iii ght, the church bells burst forth
with their chimes OF joy and gladness, in honor
OF the Christmas morn. The sound of the Joy
Gus PEAL foated into the death chamber and
brought sweet hope and peace to the aching
hearts within. The mothers face was sad, but
the look OF weary longing had passed away.
God knows best, Davy dear. without this bit
ter cup, mayhap We wouldp't have had peace
and goodwill in our hearts to day. The Lord
gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed
be His name!"