The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-25

have but sorry dawning for this family.
God grant may be mistaken!"
Then RATE, with one despairing
out into the busy street where mankind
guessed nothing of his repentant, griev-
ing heart; and Mr.. Rand crept softly
up to relieve for a while his sisters
watch beside Mile.
New Years Eve-a lonely, starry
highland from a thousand homes
glad, cheerful lights were flashing, and
life within seemed Overlooking with
comfort and joy.
But Mr.. Rand's house was dark and
cherries, and the dim light that shone
from Miles room could scarcely pierce
the drawn curtains in its feebleness.
RATE set alone in the room. Down
stairs the boarding house-his temper
airy home-was alive and ripe rich mu-
sic and mirth, which his sad heart for
babe his sharing. Suddenly messen-
ger brought the hastily -scribbled words,
| Come at once! E. RAND.
Out through the silent streets, past
the merry homes, he hurried, until at
last the darkened house of sickness was
reached, and Mr.. Rand himself admit
ted RATE Somers. Then up to the dark
ened room, where the doctor and Miss
Rand waited and watched with grave
faces beside the unconscious girl whose
face was whittier than the snowy pillow
beneath her head. Rafe stood one in
slant in mute despair.
essay your farewell, my dear boy,
and may God comfort you tonight"
whispered Mr.. Rand, laying his hand
tenderly upon Rates. shoulder.
RATE was beside Mile instantly, and
his lips sought her brow, the closed
eyes, and the still white mouth with a
love that needed not the presence of
others. Tears he did not, even for his
manhood's sake, try to restrain,
fell from his eyes and wet the
dark tresses that lay all unbound
over the pillow. O! if his last words
to her had been aught but those OF an
ger! II his last look at her dear face
had been born Of love rather than of
angry, jealous resentment! If he could
have taken her in his arms and whis-
pered the tender farewell of previous
partings; then, ali! then it might have
been that his last, bitter farewell would
be easier to bear. 80! my Millie-my
Lowell" he groaned, unable to control
his anguish. And the eyes of those
who watched him grew misty, and they
turned their heads away.
elbow long, oh! Doctor, how long
may stay beside herr" whispered RATE,
with eyes and lips together. And the
Doctor replied, It'll the end, which
may not be till morning." And Rafe
bowed his head upon the pillow.
Slowly the hours passed, and pes
emily the distant chime of the New
Years bell broke the silence of the
weary night. Twelve O'Clock, and the
old year had slipped forever into the
past, while the new young king ascend
ed the throne amid the greeting of bells
and the welcome of those who had
watched the old out and the new
in!" But the young life so dear to the
few who watched in silence at Miles
bedside, had not yet gone out, and while
there was life there was also hope-so
said the Doctor. And RATE chung to the
tiny thread of hope as a drowning man
clings to straw, and there were pray
ers in his heart that the death angel
himself in pity carried to the throne of
God. And while the shadow Of his
wing was lifted from that silent cham
Der, as he sped on his kind mission. the
dawn of the New Year crept softly into
the room, and Miles eyes opened for
the first time in many days. Even as
Rates. silent prayer that God would
spare the dear life was speeding up
ward, the answer came graciously, and
the angel of death returned not again.
Quietly the invalid's gaze wandered
about the room and rested upon the
familiar faces. Then came the low
toned question, faint ard trembling.
=" Have | been ill?" A quiet answer,
and also the Doctors request that she
should not speak, satisfied and rendered
Mile obedient, and refreshing sleep
followed.
"This package for Miss Mile came
last night, SIR" said the maid, whisper
ing outside the door. And Mr.. Rand
laid small parcel upon Miles table,
then renewed his watch with Kafe over
the slumbering girl.
"The crisis is passed and she will !
live" said the Doctor, with glad smile.
:" And you, young sir, can effect what
ever cure your own heart thinks right,
for, it l mistake not, my skill alone will |
avail nothing"
Rates. face flushed, but he knelt be-
side Mile, and looked into her waking
eyes with a gratitude to God which
none could guess. Mr.. Rand, his sister
and the Doctor left the room silently
for moment, and RATE was alone with
his precious New Years Gift-the life
restored to him of her he so dearly