National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-01-05
"Ycs. yes. | can, Uncle Charles.

ItN, Nth, Nuitt thS SuotiNr' uW
is what | have TO tell you.'
Sternly he looked at me as he firmly
grasped my arm, and drew me from th'
grave on to the pathway.
This gloomy place has weakened you
mind, Edith-it Is only charity to think
so."
"Oh, Uncle Charles, II you could but
believe that what say is real and true
There is no one in that graye--never ha,
been. A terrible deceit has been practised
upon you all these years, and since my
visit here have ..covercd it. Ask Aunt
Dorothy, she will tell you what ] have y
There was dead silence when ceased
speaking, that seemed to last long time
Anxiously waited for response but
none came. He stood with his face averted
at first then turned suddenly on me, and
said Come, come quick !"
We had reached the Hall we were in
the drawing room. ncle Charles folded
his arms ON the manteipiece, and leant his
face upon them; then said almost in a
voice of command" Fctt your aunt
Myra, Edith tell her sm here
Il can't Uncle Charles-I can't indeed"
But he only repeated his words IN still
sterner tone.
And then ! went-but not to fetch Aunt
Myra. went straight to my own room
for the dusk of the early evening was
closing in rapidly, and that was the ac-
oustomed time for the strange woman to
meet me. She was there, stan ling by one
OF the windows, as entered and greeted
me with these words" This is Christmas
Eve died on Christmas Eve"
That is gone by" Ireplied "You are
dead no longer. Come now, with me-"
| slid by hand into one OF hers, and led
her to the drawing room; only saying,
as closed the door on her, to my uncle
Charles" Remember, to-day you have
come back to life"
Then rapidly returned upstairs but
this time | made way to Aunt Dorothy's
room. Knocked; no reply. | entered
the room 1t was tenantless She would
be with Aunt Myn, naturally thought;
50 turned my footsteps that way, | softly
tapped, but softer still was the low voice
that replied-though its tones were firm
and conccntrated-"C Come in, Edith"
went in. closed the door behind me
and then | shivered don't know why
did so-the room was not cold and Aunt
Myra was lying on the bed. with her chin
resting on the clasped hands, and her face
turned to the fading light. Sculptured
from a block of marble she might have
been, for aught OF life that was visible in
the proud, majestic form.
Come closer to me. Edie, child" said
Aunt Dorothy, with a sort OF wall in her
voice; " for am alone in the world-quite
alone. mean, Ede, there is, no one now
to whom my love is necessary
understood what she meant went
up TO her by the bedside, and took her IN
my arms, pressing the dear face, with its
down-falling tears, close to mine
"Oh, Aunt Dorothy, what have
dene p
Right, child" she said in stern. cold
voice, strange to her, and startling to me-
And then we were quiet for some time,
until Aunt Dorothy spoke again
1t was as feared, Edith. Gradually
as the truth broke upon her, the shock was
too much; but she died as sh. llved-to
herself She made no sign, uttered no
word; only Law down and died One
yearning cry for pardon, one word Of sor-
row for the sad bitter past never PASSED
her bps and now her trial time is over,
and she has entered on the never-ending
lie. Whether it was woman's iealously-
for If ehe ever loved human being it was
your Uncle Charles-or family pride, which
has been the curse of her existence, that
induced her to act the cruel part she has,
cannot say. She has passed beyond
human Judgment. We must leave the
,reature with its Creator, Edith for to
Him alone we either stand or fall"
"Oh, Aunt Dorothy, if she should find
10 pardon! and | have hurried her there !"
Hush, hush, child 1t is not for US to
INIT the mercy of Heaven"
And then we sat together long time ,,
llent, with our arms clasped round each
'ther, in the dark, solemn room.
have been woman ever since that
christmas Eve at Detchngly. 1t was the
urning point in my lite-it made me dis
over the true mission Of woman upon
'arth to bring comfort and peace into the
ching, weary hearts of our fellow crea-
ures. Katharine Westwood with the
owe light softening the mild, wonderful
'eauty OF her eyes told me this as we all
at together in the drawing room, when
he evening lamps were lighted ; Uncle I
'harles, with cladncss in his voice had {
ever heard before, told me the same
nd Aunt Dorothy, dear Aunt Dorothy, ,
5 she stood by my side in the great hall,
lstening to the Christmas bells ringing !
heir jov-toned message over mountain
nd valley, Aunt Dorothy whispered :
The anGels-the angels-Edie, that spoke !
o long ago to troubled hearts, they are !
peakiug to US, child, now-the same !
lords. Let us listen-and learn ~