American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-04-10

Husband and wife FASTENED to inspec
the prof1ered sketch. They saw an up
rooted plant caught on a stone parapet
the blossom still tinged with rose ever
in death. Above slanted shower 0
golden sunbeams, and on this luminous
pathway were inscribed the words,
lam the Resurrection,
And the Life.
"Surely you have never done an,
work like this, dear. said sister Anne
kissing the artist affectionately. ."
know you consider me no judge of art
but it reminds me of the studies yol
used to make when girl at home. d.
you remember gathering the leaves ant
wild flowers in the hedges, and paint
ing them just as you held them in you
left hand?'
II burned all that rubbish when be
gan life seriously" replied Agnes, witt
a curling lip. "Flower-painting is al
very well for school girls.'
Humphrey continued to study the de
sign attentively. Il suppose the up
rooted plant signifies the human body
after death, and the sunshine Christ il
resurrection. The flower will bloom
again." he said, slowly.
YES" replied Agnes. Then she
added. in musing tone, unmindfu
that her companions would not under
stand her words: "It is the sole com
memoration of the poor plant cast ou
in the cold Nobody else missed it
The conservatory is so full"
You will win the prize" affirmed
sister Anne. the practical.
If do, shall buy baby a new car
and muff." said Agnes, merrily.
A month later the little clerk brought
home letter. 81 was tempted to open
it, because it bears the stamp of Lang
and Co.." he exclaimed.
Agnes took the missive, her fingers
trembled, and the color rushed to her
cheeks. Accepted" she said, after a
pause.
1--WE were sure of it," responded sis
ter Anne and Humphrey in unison.
"Have you seen the favorite Easter
card of the season, ladiesp" inquired
the clerk of fashionable store.
With these words he displayed the
design of Agnes Clement to a bevy of
young ladies'.
"How prettyr' exclaimed one.
"The most charming means Of atom
ing for the delinquencies of the past
year in letter-writing, said another.
81 will send one to May and Harry,
girls" added third. ''They must not
consider themselves forgotten, SO far
away, and the Easter card will remind
them
"Of spring bonnets trimmed with
violets and roses" interrupted the first
speaker, laughing. 1.-THE Punishment
must be poky enough, even if they are
still bride and bridegroom. I do not
believe Harry's lungs were really af-
fected after a cold: his parents are so
fussy, you know, because he is an only
child"
On Easter-eve the snow of late and
severe winter still fingered about lit
lie town of the far West, noted for the
purity of dry atmosphere.
The young wife, May Hartwell, put
aside the book she had been reading
aloud, for her listener had fallen asleep.
Her fair face was unclouded by anxiety
)r trouble. She smiled as she looked
1t her husband. She had developed the
qualities of good wife and nurse, thus
;ested by experience, although her pa
lent gave her little trouble, except to
lmuse him. Suffering had not married
him; no painful cough racked his
rame. He was fatigued, listless, and
preferred the sofa, where he rested
while making plans for the future.
Now he slept, with the light touching
lis graceful head, the rich Persian col
,rs of his dressinggown, and the gray
ur of. the rug spread over him. Ger
ainly he was tride delicate, and it
vas wise to cure symptoms of illness in
ime. Had she not added her solicita-
ions to those of his family by hasten
ng her marriage in order to take care
# himP
She left her seat and went out noise
essly. It was the hour when letters
we're distributed in the hotel. At the
she paused, and looked down
nto the. lower hall. Half an hour
,arlier the doctor-a cheerful presence
n the lives of the two young strangers
had called, bringing with him q
riend, quite by accident, as he hap
,ened to be in town. This friend, an
'lder physician. had conversed chiefly
With May, and about the East. She
low perceived the latter standing be-
ide the great stove in the hall, warm
ng his hands, and while she hesitated
bout descending the staircase in con-
equence, he was joined by the other
physician. The illness of the landlady's
ably explained their detention in the
lCuse.
Well, what do you think of the young
nan above stairs?' inquired the resi-
lent doctor, in low tone.
"Quick consumption, as you say.
Ie may last fortnight, and he may be
one Tomorrow" was the grave re-
ponse.
May drew back shocked and grieved,
nd returned TO her rooms. Who was
be young man above-stairsp She did
ot know. Tomorrow she would ask
he kind doctor about him. Perhaps he
nd she resumed her seat Then, with
er dimpled chin resting on her hand,
he suffered thought to bear her back to
er. distant home, the bevy of young
riends who had remembered her in the
truck eleven. Decidedly her. invalid
D disturb his refreshing slumber. Again
be rested her dimpled chin in her palm;
er own eyelids closed.
er. Harry! Where are you, dearp"
ne Salu, DeWHuereu Dy steep anu IrlSnC
The lamp was burning low; the clock
truck one; and the luminous wilderness
+ the outside world, where all nature
7as yelled in snow, invaded the silent
pom. May approached the sofa. Harry
ill slept. His face was pale, and the
satures appeared sharper, pinched. as
the cold of the night had chilled
hem. Midnight had sounded, and it
1as already yesterday. May knelt be-
ide the couch, and softly chafed the
old hand, as gentle means of awaken
lg him. Then he opened his eyes and
,oked at her. There was something SO
rofound steadfast and strange in this