The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1878-01-25
had fought battle with herself, and

place. uCu SllS StOOpCu uuu
kissed her mothers forehead, anC
murmured some tender words
which were answered by the wistful
eyes, although the lips were speech.
less.
Thus her life wore on for severaI
years, during which there was little
change in the patient. Never an inn
patient look or word was there 10
show that Jessica wearied of the
charge. After a time speech was
regaiIed, although imperiectly.
Still it was a great comfort, for she
could understand her meaning; and
once again mother and child held
sweet communion together.
About a year after Gordie's de-
parture, an English paper came con-
tanning the marriage notice of G..
Duncan Gordon, with an account OF
the festivities attending the wed>
ding.
Jesssica's lips parted in sad
smile, as she read, was right after
all, Notwithstanding he is Gordon.
| knew it could not be in man 5
nature to wait for weary years.
Dear Geordel may he be happy!
thus ran her thoughts iii her mind.
She did not blame him, and could
not put The sweet memory of his
love away from her. Though when
she suffered her mind to dwell upon
him, it was to her as though Of some
dear one at rest beneath the daisies,
1t was nearly five years after her
mothers first seizure that another
occurred; and after few days of
unconsciousness the gentle sufferer
was released, and Jessie was alone.
Every day du' ing the summer her
slight figure might have been found,
at sunsets glorifying hour, kueeling
by her mothers grave, over which
her favorite flowers had been
planted.
1t was late in October. One
evening, as she returned to her
home from her loving pilgrimage,
she saw a form coming TO meet her,
which seemed to have been conjured
from the past. She could not mis-
take the free, swinging step, the
frank, still boyish smile, with which
he greeted her.
For moment her heart throbbed
wildly, then sank in her bosom like
lead. Why had he come to disturb
her placid life?
He put out his hand. heard of
your loss, Jessie, and, though far
away at the time, am here. Have
you no word Of welcome for me?
You have no idea how my heart
ached for you in your lonclinessl
Jessie gave lin cold little hand
and said mechanically: Yo1 are
very kind; but how could yoa leave
your wife 10 come to see me2
Geordie's eyes opened wide.
Wife are you dreaming, Or am | ?
| have had no lady,love but nature,
since the girl | loved refused me.
| have been such wanderer that
ny own land does not own me
The poor little heart which had
'elt so benumbed and sorrowlul was
nigh bursting with the sudden food
)f happiness which poured IN upon
/ c eordie's words. Her lace was a
Itudy of transformation which
changed it from a fit model for a
Mourning Niobc to brightness like
he morning.
Geordie understood it, and draw
ng the slender arm within his own
hey walked on together. His tone
vas very tender as he said:
Do you remember what ] slid
lbout waiting for you? Ain the
title unbeliever but the clinging
irmness with which he imprisoned |
le rarm took The edge from his words. |
How did you ever get the impres.
ion that | was married ? Didn't | |
ell you Gordon never iorgot2
| received a paper containing, as
thought, your wedding notice.
So you mistook my cousin for |
ne and sent the paper What a
,under! | might have thought
hat you knew but little of my rel
ltives; but it never entered my head |
hat Grahame and Gordie had the
ame initials. Well, it's all right |
low. Were it not for those sable |
obes, / should imagine the last FIVE |
'ears to be a dream You haven't |
,rown day older.
As the bright tender eyes studied
Ter face with the expression remem-
,ered so well, and which she had |
hought never to meet again, Jes-
ica's lip began to quiver. They |
lad by this time reached the porch |
If her house; and Geordie drew
Ter within its sacred shelter and |
Kissed away her tears.
My own Jessica, be said softly. |
Nay it be my privilege from this
ime forth to sooth your sorro Ss,
md share your joys. | give you
warning, though, l shall be like a
niser of the society of which | have
,een deprived SO long. You must
make up your mind to adopt
another shadow.
Yielding TO her lovers urgent
solicitations, Jessica consented to