The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-05

at must be done, somehow" said Bessie,
her eyes raised TO Phil Lushington's face.
Who can say what the comfort of help
full man is to woman in a time of perplex-
ity and trouble like this? Phil's very voice
and look seemed to bring comfort to the two
troubled sisters.
He held Bessie's hand firmly and quietly,
as loving brother might have done. Some
day he hoped to win her for his wife, and,
God helping him, to render her life as happy
as mans love and a mans watchful care,
could do; but the time to think of that was
not yet; all he wished for now was to COM
fort and help her. Esatft. LIZ
II think it might be managed" he said, at
length, and without writing to this uncle you
tell me Of" fas''-|1@
ooh, howe" cried Alice, Jumping up from
the sofa, where she had flung herself, in an
abandonment of sorrow. t'He's a brute, is
uncle John, and just as likely to refuse what
we ask as not. He hated poor papap'
1t struck Phil that this seemed a senti-
ment rather generally entertained by those
who had known that individual; but of
course he did not say so. ~
"You don't know how kind and generous
literary people are among themselves; and as
you tell me this long story your sister wrote
is accepted, and is to begin next week, l
hink,-indeed L am almost certain-that if
you went and told the editor himself about
this trouble, be would give you the money
for the whole at once and it would be enough
to take her to the sea-"
Alice thought that she would like TO kiss
him but reflected that perhaps it might hard
ly be correct--yet. lgn7 gsg sre -ya@
Tears stood in Bessie's grave eyes; and as
she withdrew her hand from his clasp he felt
little grateful pressure that haunted his
palm the rest of the day. So it was settled
that Mrs. Lushington should 60 with Bessie
to the city, and they should see the editor
of Katie's magazine, and ask him if he would
pay for the long story at once, and enable the
young authoress to seek fresh health and
strength in change of air and scene. But of
al this nothing was to be said to the girl her
self. re- ft#F
sob, Bessr' cried Alice, sit will be such a
happy, happy thing to take the crisp, rust
ling notes to her and say, See, you have
| earned these yourself, and now we will take
| you away" But here the chiid's voice
| broke, and sob finished the sentence.
q Under the pretext of a shopping expedition
| to the wonderful city shops, our travellers set
| out, Bessie lingering to the last by Katie's
| side, as though she hardly liked to leave her
| for so long time.
''Isn't it odd how quick my breath comes
to-day, even if l move ever SO little ?" said
/ AdLlCS puuuCuiys dUUub all uOuT dllcF DeSSl6
| and Mrs. LushiDgton had set out on their
journey. ~
Alice looked up hurredly from her work.
cit is only weakness, DEAR" she said, with
| an ill-concealed tremor in her voice. 'tLei
me get you some of that soup the doctors
sister sent" es5
SO the soup was ordered, and taken but
still Katie looked strangely languid, and the
/ dark shadows ronnd her eyes darker and
and more extended than usual. She had
crawled down stairs towards noon as was
her daily custom, and taken up her place on
the horsehair sofa by the window, while
garment. in the hope Of persuadiDg it to lock
like new, sat opposite.
Il think shall 60 up stairs again and lie
down in my room," said Katie. my bed is
more comfortable than this sofa;" and she
smiled at the notion of lis general slipperiness
and deformity. svsh &c.
But instead o.. going up stairs at once, the
blind girl felt her way across the room, a task
custom had made easy, and then stood beside
her sister, passing loving hand over the au
burn locks that were SO fair an adornment Il
their possesor. q
s'Sissy," she said, falling into the fond old
name of nursery days, II often hear people
say how pretty you are dear; and it makes
me wish could see you.''
In moment Sissy's work was flung dowr
and her arms around the gentle speaker.
"Oh, wish you couldLI wish you could
Oh, Katie, it seems so hdrdr'
"Hush, hushw replied the poor child. 50
was wrong to say what did; and indeed
could not love you e."-Then sht
stopped, and turning to the blaze Of sunshine
out her arms towards it, as if she loved its
full, warm life. do you remember wha
you read to me last night?' she said: "'Ant
Christ shall give thee light-sChrist shall
give thee light she repeated again, softly
yet with more intense passion and pathos il
her voice. "Oh, Sissy, don't think you
can tell what those words mean to mer'
Then she let Alice help her up the stairs, and
promised to lie still and rest till Bessie came
And Alice went down and tried to get on
with her work; but it was about time for the
travellers to be home, and she was too much
excited to settle to anything.
Il can't work," she said TO herself, "till
know what has happened. Oh, If that editor
won't help our darling, hoto l shall hate
At that moment the door-bell gave its usu.
al forlorn cracked tinkle, and Bessie, beam.
ing, glowing, full of such joy as caused hel
eyes to shine with fearful gladness, came
no rushed into the room.
eSeeP' she cried, holding up an envelope
before Sissy's delighted eyes, tits all here f.
enough, and more than enough, to give our
darling health and strength againi We will
not lose day--we will 60 tomorrow! Oh,
Alice! be was SO dear, and kind, and good p
Alice kissed her in a perfect fumult of re.
joicing and then Rugged Mrs. Lushington
| too. .T - -..--- 80 ~
But it was Phil who held Bessie's hand
close In his, and looked into her glad ewes
Il NIT ouoc hat aSo<lS I. g. ! -