Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-03-22
THE VICTORY.
THROUGH THE FAITH WHICH ovERcoMErn.

George Hardness, there was no happier
couple in the world so thought the sweet
joyful bride, and so thought the proud
bridegroom. as in the triumph of perfect
health and worldly success tempered by
real Christian conservation, he carried
his darling wife to his elegant home
| never thought l could be so happy,
they said over and over, strolllng over
their beautiful grounds, or walking up
and down the ample rooms of their new
home never thought itpossible for any
one to be so happy.
Mrs Hardness had a cousin, an old
maid they called her, though she was
only twenty-eight. She had lost her
love when she was young. buoyant, en-
thusiastic girl, and strong in soul, she
had stepped from the earthly love to the
heavenly. Cousin Clara was, thereafter,
available for everybody in need. In the
large circle of her friends and relatives
she was constantly busy, helping, guild
ing, soothing, teaching. If there was a
family quarrel, or a family loss, or a
long, painful sickness, Clara was the
first one thought Of first sent for. In
joy she was desired as we'll as in grief,
for her quick, spiritual sympathy reflect.
ed the happiness of those around her,
and made it seem doubly best.
So it happened. that when Ellen Hark-
ness was established in her new home,
she very soon sent for cousin Clara to
spend a few weeks with her and help hen
appreciate her good fortune.
You are a puzzle to me, Clara, she
said one day ?; If | should lose George,
could not live | know | could not
live in him from the time he leaves me
IN the morning, till he comes at night
wait for him; l have no separate life
how did you live after Henry died ?
He is not dead, said Clara, in ton,
so earnest and assured that Mrs. Hark
ness started with surprise.
Rut he is what we call dead; he died
and was buried.
His body, you mean.
Of course you saw him no more vol
have lived alone since then.
No, Ellen, l have never been one mo
ment alone. You ask me how l lived
| will tell you; l did not rebel, but be
lieved that God loved my darling, anC
could take care of him in one place al
we'll as another. There was great anC
awful fear, and dread, when | anticipa
ted the separation but when the soul o
love was free, God enabled us to feel tina
He had only taken His child into anoth
er room. l seemed to hear my darlin!
say Wait patiently till you can come
all worlds belong to our Father, and Hi
love and care extends over all in Chris
our souls can meet; and while we sery,
Him, l in one place, you in another. W,
shall never be separated
In that moment of heavenly commun
ion, dedicated my life to feeding Christ
lambs; all the needy, the erring, tn
straying, the sorrowing; and in proper
ton as | have kept near Christ, ] hav
felt the spiritual presence of my love
Was it Providence-this converse
ton Pin less than week thereafte
Ellen Hardness was a widow. Absen
on business railroad accident tel
egram-the horrible homecoming of tn
sOulless body-the burial-the desola
tion-that was the story, so common t
the great public, so terrible to the strick
en-
a merciful illness kept Ellen from re
alizing all at once her loss, and in tina
illness Clara was ministering angel in
deed. The sick room was very hcave
OF consolation, and the invalid MISE
no tenderness, no care, that love coul
give. AT last she slowly rallied and wa
able by and by to be lifted from her be
to the easy chair in the cosy little sill
ting room adjoining her chamber. A
she made this first movement toward tb
life awaiting her, the past threatened
overwhelm her with its lost lows. an
the future held up to her its endless pr,
cesslon of empty, miserable days. o,
cannot live she exclaimed; why did
not die and 60 to you, my darling? TIE
: me, Clara, what shall do? O, Il
dreadful. dreadful future
4 Clara's tears were freely mingled vii
: those OF her despairing friend and 81
: spared not sweet carresses. and that 10
! ing human contact which so comfor
i the sOrrowing. After Ellen had grow
= calm, she opened the Bible and read DO
e lions of the fifteenth chapter of Fir
Corinthians. AS she read that triumI
L letter OF the Apostle, Ellen's attenti,
! was irresistably attracted, and look
IA pathetic yearning stole over her pa
o face.
= what Is written there you have f.
e yourself she said presently, iuterruptil
{; her cousins sweet voice.