The Lincoln County herald., 1873-01-08
"Who, Miss Lauris?" questioned Susie

Lee.
"Tbe hero and heroine Of book have
boon reading. But let me tell you the
story;' and | accordingly gave her the
substance Of the story in my childlikc
language. Susis's head sank lower and
still more low as spoke Of the young
girls grief. and her lovers passionate
pleading. Finally, as l brought my mar.
rative to close by the question
"Wouldn't you have acted as she did,
Susie, If you loved any one ?"
She lifted her face and l was surprised
to see the mild eyes full Of tears, and the
generally pale cheeks, now flushed and
stained with the drops which had been
falling plenteously.
"Wha's the matter ?" questioned I, my
own eyes filling with the ever ready sym.
pathy of childhood at her apparent
grief.
"Nothiug, dear; forget I have been
crying, l was only low spirited. You
asked me what would do If ( loved any
one, like the lady of whom you were
reading. hope l should not act as she
did, my dear child, for our duty after
our love and obedience to God, is that TO
our parents. No man can truly love
girl if he tries to make her act in disobe
dience to Gods command, to honor
our father and our mother, that our days
may be long iu the land No, no.
never" She spoke in lower tone and
more agitated, as if communing with her
own heart-"no, impossible that he loves
Der, and yet tempting her to act in direct
contradiction to her Makers command.
1t is hard to do what is right; very, very
difficult, when ones own heart is plead
ing aud urging you to disobedience but
the Father will strengthen and help the
weak ones who know their weak ness and
will pray 20 Him."
Her face was like the face of an angel,
in the meek expression, as she finished
her communing, as may call it, by an
upward glance full of hopeful trust, yet
humble. Child as was, watched her,
for this show of feeling from the quiet,
meek girl was interesting to me but
except the trembling Of her fingers as she
threaded her needle, or arranged her
work, she gave no further evidence of
agitation.
April, that month which always re.
minds me of childhood, with its sunny
smiles, and showery tears, had come, and
my mother, always indulgent, had prom
ised that l should accompany Susie Lee
the next time she should pay visit to
her mother. The Friday upon which
she had fixed her departure was antci,
pated by me with that hopeful gladness
with which q child ever dreams OF some.
thing new. The carriage was to convey
US there, and moreover, my entreaties and
Susie's own good gentle conduct had OBJ
tanned holiday of week, whole pleas.
ant week for us. Even her sad face be.
came almost gladsome at the prospect
AS for myself bounded here and there
over the house, until am sure my poor
mother congratulated herself when was
gone.
We rode on, chatting or rather l
questioning, and my companion answer
ing and describing, till we arrived within
half mile of the village, or the remnant
of what had once beeh village. then
proposed to Susie to walk to her
mothers. Accordingly out we got, and
| began scampering along like something
wild, for the mild, clear atmosphere
appeared to have infected everything
with spirit Of joy. Light, heecy clouds
were in the blue sxpanse, and on the
evening air came the delicious perfume
of the crab apple, yellow jasamiuo, honey.
suckel, and numerous other odors, all
mingling together and pervading our
senses with their aroma.
Soon we came into the village which,
like another Tadmor of the desert, was
thick!y interspersed with ruins, disman
tied cottages, with here and there an old
chimney, showing where happy families
had once dwelt, who we're perhaps now
resting in the cold and silent tomb, or
else had with the spirit of migration
moved off to the far distant West-that
FL Dorado of SO many day. dreams.
Many other houses were closed aud some
Eve or six alone were peopled, if one
might judge from the smoke (which so
gracefully curlcd."
"Are we almost at your home, Susie p
"Yes. Do you see that little white
house with white palings in front ?
Well, that is our home. Drive there,
Uncle Jehn, and put down my trunk and
} Miss Laurie's, and please tell mother We
are coming"
The last house on the one street was
Mrs. Lees, and we quickeued our pace
as We drew near the end Of our journey.
The remembrance Of that simple visit is
as fresh 10 my memsry now as il it were
but yesterday. We passed through the
little garden 10 which grew some old
fashioned fragrant flowers, such as roses,
pinks, lilacs, wall. flowers, &c. Susie
spvaug eagerly forward to embrace her
mother, who was standing in the door to
welcome W. How devotedly she must
have loved her mother. fer her face was
beautiful with ito tender expression.
Mrs. Lee vac . neat body, tall snd