The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-01-06
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you. , 1as. rgEEltr .E f.-rH
make haste, then" he replied, impa
tientiy pulling out his watch. Il have
not much time TO waste" .sl.
To wastel On his dying wifel ..,--
"Oh yes, you have if you like, Alfred.
| And, if not, you must make It. Other
engagements may give way to me to day,
for think it will be nv last."
Nonsense, Mariai You are nervous,
Shake it off. What have you to say?"
''I think twill be" she repeated. "At
any rate, it can be but question of q
few days nov; a week or two at the most
Alfred, do, you believe you could ever
break an oath7"
"Break an oathl' he echoed in sur.
priee.G - g. rt'f'.f ~ ---rr ... ga
You are careless as to keeping your
word; promises you forget as soon as
made; but an oath imposes q solemn obi.
CATION, asd must be binding on the CON
ecfenc& / want you to take one. - Z =
- .Ihat I will not marry again" he re-
sponded, IN . tone Of suppressed mockcry.
Calm yourself it is not my intention to
do So" AZ % %
| "Not So" she sadly uttered; "ihat
would be an obligation have no right
lay upon you: my death will leave you
free. want you to undertake to be
good father to the child" am
''And you would impose such obliga-
ton by OATH" cried Mr. Raby at is
scarcely necessary. or course / shall be
good to him. What i: running il your
head, Marisi-thst I shall beat him, or
turn him adrifss The boy shall 60 to
Etou, and thence to college"
She put cut her fevered hands, and
clasped his, with the excitable, earnest
emotion Of dying spirit 49,.
20 Alfred when YOU are as near death
as am, you will know that three are
other and higher interests than even the
better interests Of this world. II the
knowledge never comes to you before, it
will too surely come then. 1t is for those
/ wish you to train him."
my dear" be rejoined, the mockiug
tone retur Mug to hisyoiee, and this time
il was not disguised, 81 uill engage q Gu
rate at . yearly stipend, and he shall cram
Rsby with religion"
A cloud OF pain passed across her brow;
then she looked pleadingly up again to
urge her wish. .
There lie no earthly interest can be
compared with that: we live here for q
moment, 10 eternity forever. want you
20 undertake that he shall be trained for
it."
80 far as my win is good, he is well
come to grow up an angel" observed Mr..
haby; but as to taking an oath that
he shall, you must excuse me. We will
leave the topic; it lie one that we shall do
no good at together. The boy will do well
enough; what ia there to hinder it? And
do you get out of this Responding fit,
Marie. and let me find you better when
] come home 10 night"
''Stayl" she implored. III lie here alone
with all my pain and trouble; and Wild
thoughts intrude Themselves into my
mind. something like they. come TO us in
9 dream. II pds wild thoaght-an i'm
probable one-to you of an oath; perhaps
1t was a wrong one. Will you pass your
word to me, Alfred, that Raby shall be
reared to good, not to evil? And you
surely will hold good your word to the
dying"
II promise you that the best shall be
done for the boy in all ways, Maria so
far as can DO it."
He turned impatiently as he spoke,
and left the room. She did not call again.
And just then her little boy peeped in.
De had been christened RabY.
You msy come, dear"
R8by Werner, a child of seven, who
ksd inherited his mothers beauty, drew
towards her on tiptoe He was too in.
telligent for his years, too sensitive, too
thoughtful. His large and brilliant brown
eyes were raised to hers with a sweet, sad
expression of inquiry. Then the long,
dark eyelashes fell over them, and he
lsid his head on her bosom, and threw
up his arms lovingly to clasp her neck.
"Rsby, ! was just thinking of you, l
must tell you something"
As he had dread presentiment of what
was coming, he did not speak, but bent
HE face where she could not see it, and
slightly shivered.
"Raby, darling, do you know that
am going to leave you-that | am going
to heaven
The child had known it some time, for
he had been alive to the gossipping ofthe
servants. but, true 10 his shy and sensitive
nature, be had buried the knowledge and
the misery within his poor little heart
True to it now, he would not give vent to
his emotions, but his mother felt that he
shivered from head to foot, as his clasp
tigbtened upon her. -s r F ...l
81 read a pretty book, Raby, once. 1t
told of of the creed of some people, far, far
away from our own land, who believe that
when they def they die in Gods love-
they are permitted to become ministering
spirits to those whom they leave here; to
hover invisibly round them, and direct
their thoughts and steps away from harm.
Ny dearest, how l should really like 10
find this 10 be really the easel l would
come and watch over you"
His sobs could no longer be suppressed,
though he stroye for itstil. They broke
out into a wall.
"Raby, dear, you have heard that this
is a world of care. All people find it so:
though some more than others. When it
shall fall upon you hereafter-as it is sure
TO do-remember that God sends it only
to fit you for better land"
What more she would have said is I'M
certain. Probably much The child was
not like child Of seven; he was more like
one of fourteen, and he understood well.
TWAS Mr.. Raby who interrupted them.
''Raby! crying, sirl What for2 Has
your mamma been talking gloomy stuff to
you, or saying that she fears she is worse?
1t is not true, boy, either of it. Dry up
that face Of yours Maria, you are not
worse: if you were, should see it. Run
away into the nursery, SIR"
The boy drew away choking, and Mr..
Raby continued
at is not judicious of you, Maria. to
alarm the boy. l cannot think what has
put these ideas into your head. He will