Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-06-14
LORENA.
BY ETHELIN BRADE.

The sun was sinking slowly behind
the western hills, and lovely golden
light lay over river meadow, fields and
orchard, when Lorena Vance laid aside
her work, and stood for moment at her
cottage door. rsHIE'l 81
Twelve years had gone by since she
first stood in that same spot, a young
and happy bride. The rich dark cheek
and the bright black eyes were as hand.
some at thirty-two as at twenty; and the
thoughtful, contented smile that stole
over her face as she thought OF that ear
lier time, told that she had little to grieve
over or repent of since then. A still
lovelier look stole over cheek and brow
as she gazed steadfastly at two chill
dreu-her own-who were playing there.
The mother gazed on them with a
prayer for their future, not the less fer
vent because unuttered. AS she turned
away some childish dispute arose be.
tween them. Lorena stamped her small
foot upon the ground, and menaced her
shrinking brother with her uplifted
hand.
"Lorena, come here, said her moth
er, graYely.
The child started colored and then
went slowly towards her, while Robert
followed, looking grieved and ashamed.
why did you do 1t, my childY' said
Mrs. Vance, (iFg EE i.
Robert wouldn't give up the mallet, T"
said the child quickly, "and it was
mine"
"Aud so you we're going to strike
him2"
1T was mine" repeated the child.
The mother left sorrowful kiss upon
the frowning brow.
HYou are wrong, DEAR" she said.
1--WE must all be kind to one another in
this world, or we shall find it lonely
place. And poor Robbie is not well and
strong like you, you know"
She had said enough. The heart of
the impulsive child was in the right
place, and with sudden burst Of tears
she threw her arms around Robert s
neck and kissed his brow.
81 didn't mean to be cross" she sob
bed, and you may keep the mallet now
as long as you want to, Robbie. ba
The mother smiled and kissed the wet
cheek of her daughter; then, seeing her
husband come whistling up over the
fields, she went back into the neat
kitchen to prepare for supper.
They entered, and, sat down at the
supper table. The little Lorena, who
had an artistic eye for effect, was de-
lighted with the snowy bread, the golden
butter, and the luscious strawberries
that shown through a cut glass dish, as
she had seen thousand times before.
81 shall have just such suppers as
these, mamma, she began, when / get
to be rich, and great lady"
John Vance laid down his knife, and
stroked the abundant hair from his
brow
Rich, my little girlY" he said, with
dreamy smile that was almost sad; land
pray, how is thy fathers child to bring
that about9"
81 don't know" was the eager reply.
But shall find out some way when |
grow up; and then, papa, ! am going to
have everything want, and make people
like me and be afraid of me, as they are
of Mrs. Livingstone, up at the lake.
"Ohild, you don't know what you are
talking about" said Mr.. Vance, raising
from the table with disturbed air.
did you never hear the proverb, "A
contepted mind is better than a con-
.inual feast7 Stay where you are, my
darling, in the happy shelter of your
nome. You never will lind another
place ike it.