The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-01-03

glittercd like plains of moving gold in the
deep bright rays Of the setting sun, And
Gabrielle, sitting here and gazing on them,
or roaming alone amongst thcm, was quite
happy and light thearted. Even her stern
sisters were thawed and softencd by her
presence and, think, felt as much love
any one for, indeed, it was impossiblecto to
resist altogether her cheering influence,
which spread itself over every thing around
her with the warmth of sunshine.
On this evening on which our tale begins
and for some days previous to it, Gabri.
ellie had been gravcr and quctsr than she
often was She joined her sisters now in
the common sittiuS-room and, with her
work in her hand, sat down beside them
near the window, but she answered their
few questions about her evening ramblc
with only feigned gaiety as though she was
occupied with other thoughts. or was too
weary to talk and, presently, as the twi-
light gathered round them, they all sank
into silence. The one window looked across
the road in which the house stood, to dark
plantation of stuntcd trees that grew oppo.
site ; a very gloomy place, which, even i'll
the hottest summer day, had always chill,
wintry feeling, and from which even nov
damp air was rising; and, entering the
open window, was spreading itself through
the room.
GLOW unlike summer evening 1t is in
this room ~ Gabrielle suddenly broke the
silence by exclaiming almost iupatiently
Il wish could, even for once, sec a ray
S,f onnchinn - | boy, nfi,n ~,nlnrnl
how any one could build house in this sit
uation."
"Aud do you never imagine that there
are people who care less for sunshine than
you do, Gabrielle 2" Bertha asked, rather
sadly.
Yes, certainly, sister; but still it seems
to me almost like sin to shut out the beau.
tiiul heavens sunlight rs it has been shut
out in this house Wiutcr and summer, it
is always alike. If it was not for my own
bright little room up stairs, think never
should be gay here at ALL"
"Wcll. Gabrielle, you need not complain
of the gloomiue.s of this room just now
Miss Faux said AT nine O'Clock on an
August evening suppose all rooms look
pretty much alike"
"Oh, sister, no.' Gabrielle cried
Have you never motto d the different kinds
OF twilight? Here. in this house, it is al.
ways winter twilight, quite colorcss, aud
cold and chccrlcss, but in other places,
where the sun has shone, it is warm,
and soft, and beautiful even for an hour.
or longer, after the sun has quite set. a faint
rosy tingc, like Il warm breath, seems to rest
upon the air, and to shed such peace and
almost holiness over every thing. That was
the kind Of twilight, think Of it SO often.
that there used to be at home. ] remember
SO very very long ago, how used TO sit on
the ground at my mothers feet in the sum.
mer evenings, looking out through the open
window at the dear old garden, where every
thing was SO very still and quiet that it
seemed to me the very trees must have fal
en- asleep, and how she used to tell us fairy
stories in the twilight Sisters, do you re.
member it," Gabrielle asked, her voice
trcmulous, but not altogether, 50 it seemed
with emotion that the recollection had called
up.
II do," Miss Vaux said, in a voice clear
and cold, and hard as ice. From Bertha
there came no answer
1T is one of the few things I rccolcct
about her." Gabrielle said again, very soft
ly, "the rest is almost ali indstinct, like Il
haliiOr@Ottcn dream. | was only four
years Old you say, Joanna, when she dicd?'
You know it; why do you ask :" Miss
Vaux said. harshly and quickly.
There was 4 pause. 1t was 50 dark that
none of their faces could be seen. but Que
might have told, from the quick nervous
way in which, unconscously, Gabrielle was
caspinS and unclasping her hand, that
there was some struggle going on within
her. At last, very timidly, her voice trcm-
bling though she tried hard to steady it.
she spoke again.
Sisters, do not be angry with me. Of
ten, lately, have wished so very much to
ask you some things about my mother
Oh, let me ask them now. Dear sisters. tell
me why it is that you never speak to ne,
or almost allow me to speak Of her ? Is it
because 1t gricvcs you so much to think Of
her death, OF is there any other cause
her voice sank so low that it was almost n
whispcr-''why her name is never mention
cd amongst us have kept silence about
this for 50 long for | knew You Id not
wish to speak Of it !; but, oh sisters, tell me
now. Ought | not to know about my own
mother? ?"
Hush ~ Miss Naux said, in q voice
stern and harsh "Gabrclc, you do not
know what you are asking Let it be
l. T.