The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-07-26

Mrs. Marsh left the room TO give way
to the feelings she could not control.
Poor woman, she feared that her home
was twice to be darkened by DEATHS re-
lentless hand.
And her fears, alas, were not ground
less, for her first-horn was soon to leave
her for another world And this was
not all. Her baby, the almost angelic
little Lima, was soon to follow.
As her mother had said, Oracle had
always been rather delicate, but for the
last year, since her return from Bridge
port, she had seemed more so than ever,
and when at last she was compelled to
give up her pupils, her friends began
to fear the worst. At times 4 deep mel
ancholy would seem TO settle upon her,
and then again she would rally her
spirits and appear quite lively.
At last Grace expressed wish TO see
Blanche, and being unable to do so her
self, got her mother to write for her,
merely saying she was not very well.
This letter arrived at Capt. Marsh's
two days after Blanche's return from
the South. They Immediately for
warded il to New York to Blanche, who,
directly upon receiving it, started for
home, and from there for her aunts,
where she had just arrived, as we have
seen.
Oracle arose no more from that bed
until she was carried from it to the
grave. That night she seemed better
but the next day she was delirious, and
for two days following she knew no
one, not even her fond mother or dar-
ling little sister, who refused to leave
her bedside even for her meals, but
sat and famed her heated brow, while
a peculiar, heavenly smile seemed to
rest upon her baby features.
At last reason resumed her throne.
Oracle, twining her arm around her
neck, said:
"Mother, l am better, but do not let
me flatter your hopes, for l must soon
leave you. You have others dear rs
myself, who must fill my place when I
am gone so that you will not feel my
loss. I will tell Cordelia to be more
domestic, and my two little brothers
will soon be a great comfort to you,
dear mother; YES, and so will sweet lit
tie Lima, our pet" and she pressed the
little creature to her bosom saying,
"vou must comfort mama.r
II will. Yes, will he her guardian
angelr' and pointing her little finger
up, she sang:
'.In yon fair world, SO calm and bright,
I'll soon "a happy angel be,
And earthly joys, with transient lieht,
Can have no charms for me.
but, mama, when I'm far above,
With golden harp in hand,
III pray and ask the God Of love
To bring you all 20 Happy Iand.n
Mrs. Marsh lifted Lima from her seal
upon the bed, and pressing her to hel
bosom, carried her from the room, fear.
ing the excitement might prove too much
for Oracle. As she was about closing
the door Oracle called to her, saying
"Mother, send Blanche, if you please
to sit with me awhile. 1 have some
thing to say to her alone"
About ten minutes elapsed, wher
Blanche, opening the door, softly en-
tered and seated herself beside her cous
in, and, as she commenced tanning her
said, "Did you want me, Gracie?"
blanche, my ever dear cousin" sal,
Oracle, in a voice strong from emo
ton, "you are aware, have no doubt
that ] have but a short time longer Ol
earth, and must soon cease to speak o
be with YOU, until we meet in tina
happy world above, whittier I trust
am going
Blanche dropped her head upon th
pillow, while the sick girl continued
"One year ago last summer ! was a
your home, and there, for the first tim
in my life, l saw one whom 1 coul
love. Yes, Blanche, though | have Ia
many admirers, still / never saw bu
one to whom l could give my hear
and to that one my love went forth III
asked and unsought. Though | cor
cealed it from him, yet l would hay
been willing to die for him, for am
true Marsh and can love but once. An
would you wish to know who that on
was? l will tell you, for now that l al
= going l need not blush to own it.
; was Harry Hewitt, that noble, Who'll,
sOuled man." and clingingt to the pillow
she wept long and passionately.
"DOn't give way so, dear Oracle. Va
will over-eXert yourself, I fear" sal
2 Blanche, scarely able to control n,
own emotions.
D ''NO, it will DO me good, for this :
D cret knowledge has worn like A canl,
into my very heart. Oh. Harr,
2 Harry. why was it not ordained that
e should take the place Of the han,
Adele? But it is nearly over and
e knows it not. And now, Blanche. lie
e girl" continued she, 81 have one fav
. to ask of you. When l am dead gi
,, him this ring, which is made of n
: hair, together with this letter." TAXI
= one from beneath her pillow, ''and a
t him to wear this ring for the sake
n one who loved him better than her o,
+ life, and dying loved him still"
Y Sinking back upon the pillow, S
e seemed utterly exhausted, and Blanel
2, fearing she was indeed dying, ran
r call her mother.
d A., Nj, foIIov-ad bx- bpr ont