The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-03-27

'doalth-llf6 even what are they
to me2 I have nothing to live fori" was
the gloomy responses. "Come quickly
the time when shall lay me down and
sleep in peace"
ga woman, and nothing to live forp
One Of Gods intelligent creatures, and
nothing to live fori"
There was 80 mueh rebuke in the tone
with which this was offered that Mrs.
Loring was partly aroused thereby.
"Come Let us see whether there
be not something to live for. Come
you must go with me this morning."
80 decisive was the ladys manner-so
impelling the action OF the will-that
Mrs. Loring found herself unable to re-
sist; and so with reluctance that was not
concealed, she made her preparations to
60 out. In due time she was ready,
and, descending with her friend, took
seat in her carriage and was driven away.
Houses, tree es, public buildings, swept
like moving panorama before her eyes,
and though familiar objects glassed
themselves therein, they failed to
awaken the slightest interest. The sky
was clear, and the bright sunshine lay
everywhere; but her heart still sat under
a cloud, and folded around itself gloom
for q mantle. Her friend talked to her,
calling her attention every little while to
some new palace home, or to some
glimpse of rural beauty which the eye
caught far in the distance. But all was
vain; the mourner's slender form still
shrunk back among the cushions, and
her face wore its saddest aspect. ,-~
Suddenly the carriage drew up before
neat looking house of moderate size,
with plat of ground in front, wherein
were a verdant square and borders of
well-tended flowers. Ere Mrs. Loring
had time to ask O question the coach
man was at the door.
"Why do you stop here !" she in
quired.
d" I wish to make brief call. Come
you must go in with me-"
Mrs. Loring shook her head in posi-
tive way, and said "no" still more posi-.
lively.
"You will meet no light votary of
fashion here, my friend" said the lady,
"but one who has suffered like your
self. "Comel |"
But Mrs. Loripg shrunk farther back
IN the carriage.
cit is now only three months since
she followed to their mortal resting
place two precious little ones, the last
of her flock, that, scarcely year ago,
numbered four. I want you to meet
her. Sisters in sorrow, you cannot but
feel drawn toward each other by cords
of sympathy" ..
Mrs. Loring shook her head impera
lively.
"No-no do not wish to see her.
I huve grief enough of my own without
sharing in that OF others. Why did you
bring me here ?" There was something
like anger in the voice of Mrs. Loring.
"Six months, nearly, have passed
since God took your children to Him
eelf, and time, that softens grief, has
brought to you at least some healing
leaves. The friend I wish to vista
friend in humble life-is sorrowing with
as deep a sorrow, that is yet but three
months old. Have you no word to
speak to her ? Can you not, at least,
mipgle tear with her tears It may
do you both good. But do not wish to
urge a selfish reason. Bear up with
womanly fortitude under your own
sorrow, and seek to heal the sorrow of a
sister, over whose heart are passing the
waters of affliction. Come, my friend ~
Mrs. Loring, so strongly urged, step
30 with reluctance that was almost un-
conquerable. Oh, how earnestly she
wished herself back in the shadowy
solitude of her own home.
"Is Mrs. Adrian at home ?" was in
quired of the tidy girl who came to the
door. The answer being in the affirma-
tive, the ladies entered and were shown
into small but neat sitting room, on
the walls of which were portraits, in
crayon, of four as lovely children as
ever the eyes looked upon. The sight
Of these sweet young faces stirred the
waters of sorrow in the heart of Mrs.
Loring, and she hardly restrained her
tears. While yet her pulses throbbed
with quicker beat, the door opened
and woman entered, on whose rather
pale face was smile of pleasant vel
come.
"My friend, Mrs. Loring," such was
the introduction, "of whom I have
spoken to you several times"
The smile did not fade from the coun-
tenance of Mrs. Adrian, but its express
sion changed as she took the hand of
lhIc. ALOllbS cdiu
:" I thank you for your kindness in
calling"
Mrs. Loring scarcely returned the
warm pressure with which her hand
was taken. Her lips moved slightly
but no word found utterance. Not the
feeblest effort at responsive smile was
visible.
"We have have both been called to
pass through the fire" said Mrs. Adri.
an, in more subdued tones, though the
smile still played around her lips.
" Happily, One walked with us when
the flames were fiercest, or We must |
have been consumed"
1t was now that her voice reached the
heartsof Mrs. Loring. The eyes of the |
selfish woman dropped to the floor, and
her thought was turning in upon itself.
In the smile that hovered about the lips
OF Mrs. Adrian she had seen only indif-
ference, not sweet resignation. The
words just spoken, but more particular
ly the voice that gave them utterance, /
unvailed to her the sorrow of kindred
sufferer, who would not let the voice of
wailiDg disturb another's ear, nor the
shadow of her grief fall upon spirit al
ready under a cloud. The dropping
eyes of Mrs. Loring were raised, with a
half wondering expression, to the face
of Mrs. Adrian. Still lowered the smile
about those pale lips bat its meaning
was no longer q mystery the snnile uas