Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-25
autunn day such as they have only in the

autumn day, such as they haze only in the
South-the matron slowly assembled the
three flights of stairs that led to the poor.
/; blind painters garnet. She was in a
thoughtful, melancholy mood; recollec-
tons of days and scenes long since passed
came upon her with unwonted vividncsS;
Why did her heart throb 50 Violently
Had she notgonc on scores OF similar en-
rands of mercy beioreg Why, theh'i To-
Gay this unusual nervousness ="
In response to the gentle rap "e1H,
soft voice babe her enter. She opened the
door quietly. and there at the open MN
dow. with the morning san shining mi on
his bleached locks and intellectual fore
boad SAT n well-remembered, and. ali. SO
sadly altered figure
lydia paused in the open door rs though
she were transfixed. And now he turned
his dark, sightless eyes toward her, and
asked ''Is it you. brother? Come Ill y
Lydia approached him with IN unsteady
step, land, laying her hand on his shoulder.
said, with all the calmness she could com
mand, ut is l, Volkmar."
Trembling with emotion. he rose to his
feet and made Il gesture, as though he
would avoid her Lydia said to him
again in tone less calm than before :
..Yes, volkmar, it is /, Lydia, an old
friendr' at
For moment his pale, thin face was
radiant with joy. He stretched out his
arms and cried, with all the fervor OF
younger and happier days, Lydia
Lydia! my Lydia!'
And sobbing rs the maiden had once,
the matron threw herself into the old
mans arms.
''How unhappy you made me ~ said she,
releasing herself after some moments.
With a trembling hand the old mar
drew her again toward him. Made you
unhappy ?" said he. ..Oh, could not dc
other than did How iull of hope Sc
out for the land of my longings, and how
full of despair ! returned! Oh Lydia
when the surgeon told me my sight we
gone beyond the possibility OF recovery
it was not the darkness ard poverty thai
made me shed tearS-l wept for my arr
and for you! For how could link your
bright, Young life to my darkness ana
miseryp | sent the violets back to You
without "A word of explanation, because
in nv misfortune | would maxi no appeal
to your magnanmity. You were young
and rich; the world lay open to you, and
you would thought. easily forget one
who proved so unworthy There was, il
seemed to me, but one course for me to
pursue-to suffer alone!"
'.And did you not know that l lovet
you," she replied, land that true low
never dies-never can die ?"
..Oh, forgive met" he cried. 81, too
believe me. have learned what it is to SUI
fer and hot tears fell from his signifies
eyes on Lydia's hands.
"But now" said she, assisting him bacl
to his chair by the window, for his it'll
stock of strength was well nigh exhausted
..but now will remain with you. and b
your guide for the rest of your days.
"Oh. yes. remain with me-" he replied
"Ah. it will not be long! have 81
longed to leave this earthly darkness fo
eternal light! And now p"
Lydia could offer him no consolation
she saw only too clearly that she had fount
him only to lose him again and forever.
And so she did in something less thar
two months. One evening he begget
Lydia to remain with him during the night
as he felt unusually weak and fearful.
She remained.He slept the whole nigh
through as peacefully as a child; but whe1
the sky began to redden in the cast h
called her to him in a faint voice. CIV
me your hand, Lydia" said he, 1.-THE hou
for us to part, think, has arrived. Is
thanked for all-all! And forgive me fo
having made your life so wretched wit
my unhappy love! Open the window,
he added, after a while.
Lydia opened the window. The fir
rays of the morning sun came over tt
distant hills and shed their golden ligl
upon the couch of the dying man. He la
as one glorified, his sightess eyes turne
toward the rising sun. Lydia sank on he
knees beside him.
And now he took ring from his finger
it was his mothers wedding-ring-a plai
golden band. ''Not here, said he, ''bu
yonder we shall be united Put it wit
the violcts -
did
And Aunt Lydia wiped away Il tear, ant
was again silent.