American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-03-22


Loripg was partially aroused thereby.
Come, Let us see whether there be
not something to live for. Come! you
must go with me this morning"
So decisive was the lady's 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 prepare
tons TO go out. In due time she was
ready, and, descending with her friend,
took a seat in her carriage and was
driven away. Houses, trees, public
rama, before her eyes, and, though
familiar objects glassed themselves
therein, they failed to awaken the
slightest interest. The sky was clea-,
and the bright sunshine lay everywhere;
but her heart still sat III der cloud, and
folded around itself gloom for a mantle.
Her friend talked to her, calling her at
tention every little while to some new
palace home, or to some glimpse of ru
raj 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.
Sudd My the carriage drew up before
neat-looking house of moderate size,
with plot of ground in front. wherein
was verdant square and borders of
well tended flowers. Ere Mrs. Loring
had time to ask a question the coachman
was at the door.
"Why do you stop hereP" she in
quired.
81 wish to make brief call. Come!
you must go in with me-"
Mrs. Loring shook her head in a posi-
tive way, and said "no" still more
positively.
You will meet no light votary of
fashion here, my friend,'' said the lady,
but one who hes suffered like yourself.
Comei''
But Mrs. Loring shrunk farther back
in the carriage.
"It 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 num-
bered four. l want you to meet her.
Sisters in sorrow, you can not but feel
drawn towards each other by cords of
sympathy"
Mrs. Loring shook her head impera-
lively.
Mono! 1 do not wish to see her.
I have grief enough of my own without
sharing in that of others. Why did you
bring me hereP" There was something
like anger in the voice of Mrs. Loring.
g Six months nearly have passed since
God took your children to himself, and
time, that softens grief, has brought to
you at least some healing leaves. The
friend | wish to vista friend in hum
BILE 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, mingle a
tear with her tearsP 1t may do you
both good. But do not wish to urge
selfish reason. Bear up, with wom-
anly fortitude, under your own sorrow
over whose heart are passing the same
waters of affection Come, my friend -
Mrs. Loring, SO strongly urged, step
ped out upon the pavement. She did
so with q reluctance that was almost
unconquersble. o now earnestly she
wished herself back in the shadowy SOL
itude of her own home.
"Is Mrs. Adrian at home?' was in
quired of the tidy girl that came to the
door. The answer being in the affirm
alive, 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 a smile of pleasant well
come.
"My friend, Mrs. Loring," such was
the introduction, ''of whom 1 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
Mrs. Loring and said:
al 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 both been called to pass
through the fire. said Mrs. Adrian, in
more subdued tones, though the smile
still played around her1ips. "Happily,
one walked with us when the flames
were fiercest, or we must have been con-
sumed."
1t was now that her voice reached the
heart of Mrs. Loring. The eyes of the
selfish woman dropped to the floor, and
her thought was turning in upon itself
In the smile that lowered about the lips
of Mrs. Adrian she had seen only indif-
ference, not a sweet resignation. TIE
words just spoken, but more particu-
larry the voice that gave them utterance,
unveiled to her the sorrow of a kindred
sufferer, who would not let the voice of
wailing disturb anOther's ear, nor the