Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-14
fcoptypued from s,rt page,


petals and golden eyes, rose Immaculate
" perfect from noisome impurities be-
meath, and sat queen like among tangled
network of long pink stalks and shining
green plate-like leaves. The brother and
sister by the waters brink, feeling hushed
and awed by the great cain beauty OF
the place. As they stood there sile mt. -lhe
boy so thin and fragile aud spiritually fair
with the new radiant light of another
world shining in his blue eyes, aud the
girl In her sweet strong beauty reminding
one of the water-lilies at her feet, in that
they were both so fair and had equally
sprung from muddy impurity and filth
they seemed emblems OF spiritual and ma
terial life. The river scarcely murmured
now hut just whispered Ms the trees
waved gently In the breeze children. l
have brought you home to the spirits who
love you. Goodnight, goodnight"
Then the children saw that they were not
alone, but that two figures clothed in long
flowing draperies sat beneath the droop
ing trees. They were both beautiful ex-
ceedingly but the face of one was as the
face of an angel. glorious with an infinite
peace and joy; while the face OF the eth
err. though beautiful, was sad and drawn
and tear stained, as though with passion
ate suffering and pain.
.v'.Chlidren, n said she with the sad SOL
emu face. as they stood before them silent
and awed, 1--WE have been waiting for you
to-night--my sister and Il" and she
smiled. The girl looked at them, and in
stinelively shruuk away from the beauti-
full sad being who had spoken, and went
close up'to the other, whose eyes were
fixed beaming and smiling on her brother.
70 are SO beautiful, she said, ''an'
look s., bright and happy. .Wull 20 make
my boy well, SO he can enjoy hisself to
the fields and woods ?" -,r fis.
Then the spirit with the radiant eyes
rose, and beckoned TO The boy. Il have
come to take your brother home" she
said. "where be will be we'll and joyful
always" .s...,.... ..,.s.4
(. can may |. no. come. too ?l the girl
asked, putting her arm round her broth
-~f's neck. asif to keep him with her. II
cannot live withouten him :" Her month
quivered, and the tears welled up big aod
bright into her eyes, ts %
My child" the spirit answered softly,
you cannot come with your brother now
the time is not yet Some day will
toibC ioi you, anu uS VIII COiuc tlll
TO. welcome you. But now, my sister
wants you still, and has work for you to
do" IL -.-. s.. =. 4
The girl turned and looked timidly up
st'the ead-eyed spirit, who said: Yes,
my child, you belong to me; my sister
has called your brother from me. In
that. he is happier than you. But | will
lOve.you too. You need not fear me. it
you will only trust me and be brave.
VIII you Gomez" She held out her arms
10 her; and the girl, touched and attract
cd by the, sad face, went towards her.
and said, still holding her brothers. hand
tightly clasped in her own: II am not
atead o. 20. an will trust yo; but
cannot give up my boym .s4sas.-
bat you must y the sister-spirit an
In spite of her glowing beauty, the
children both felt that her will was mex
orable. sl.,.-t....s 4.-. I'D.
"Sister. said the boy, "yo nun let me
60 i feel her drawing me, an | cannot
.tay.. Iwull be SO happy. An 20 wul
come to me. Kiss me, an let me, go!n
She turned and clasped him passions
ly in her arms. IL wull let 70 GO" she
sobbed '.but 1t be so hard, So hard , We
was so happy togither."
81 be so tired" he murmured as he
leaned supported in her arms, with his
head against her breast, and his lips close
to hers
% The radian.-eyed spirit approached
them; and took the boy by the hand
Come r'she said gently, II will take
you home" 90
my boy my boy!' cried the girl pit
eously; and for. a moment, az she held
him fast-in-her strong, young arms. it
seemed as though her love were deep
enough to keep him 10 spite of the spirits
call
''Sister, let me go. / wull come again
10 20, an fetch yo "r,s.a
Then with a moan, she loosed her arms
and kissed him and let him 60. Then the
spirit wrapped the boy in her garments,
and kissed him solemnly on brow. and
eyes, and mouth and behold beneath
the power of that embrace, his face bright
ened into health and life and beauty; and
the immortal radiance that breathed from
the spirits form fell upon him and glori-
fed him. And as his sister gazed wen
deringly at him, the spirit took him ty the
hand. and they disappeared from her sight
Then she with the saddened eyes came TO
the girl and bent over her as she wept.
and whispered. laying her hand on her
brow: 'Be brave, aud fear not" and
then she too vanished
1t was morning, and the sun was peer
ing curiOusly in at the window of the
queer tumble-down house in Mile-end.
And this was the sight il saw. The father
was still breathing heavily on the floor |
and on the bed. the brother and sister It'll |
lay cllsped in each others arms. Her
breathing was soft and regular, and her
cheeks were. wet with tears. On his face |
shone radiant smile, for his was the |
siesp'o! death!