Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-05
swans, his movements gentle as dove.
IL was tho bird Caradrion.

II was tho bird Caradrion.
The wife sat on in awed silence; she
dared not speak or move. But hope be-
gan ODco more to beat within her heart
she laid her band upon it TO quiet its
boating; itpulsod 80 loudly she feared
lest tho sound might scare tho bird.
Immovablo her eyes were Gxod upon him
~ no bowed bis long, slender neck to.
ward the sufferer, and laid his broad
hoax upon the sick mans lips. For SOW
eral seconds of breathless anxio.y tothc
watcher 1t rested there, us tho bird drew
forth tho sole ailment unto himself.
That e'de'l, he flow away. On, on, with
tho same rushing, sound whorewith no
had come; on, on till it grew fainter as
bo flow further from earth. The wife
saw him mount higher us to darted liea-
venwnrd.
She could not cease TO follow his flight;
her eyes we're spell-bound on his depart
ing form; for US yet. tho cure was not
wholly wrought, sio knew; and who
could say that it might not fail oven
now? So she continued gazing, and as
sho looked the stars light grew fainter,
then faded quite.
A rosy simmer sufiused tho East; at
last, in fiery spIendor, uprose tho sun
from behind bank of gorgeous tintod
clouds. lilo had returned yot again from
his nightly slumber in tho bosom Of Para
disc. And still the bird was flying on
till his form grew nero speck III the
distance; ho had nearcd tho Gun; and
dartcd within its flaming circle. Then
she who watched 50 eagerly could see no
more; tho glare was too fierce for mortal
Dyes; they might penetrate no further
BIT she knew that Caradrion had taken
away her loved ones sickness, that he
was purifying himself anew in the cter-
nal light, that hor husband was saved.
"My darling" called ~ low voice,
"wlere arc you :" They were tho first
words tho sufferer had spoken for many
o day, aud fell like music on the wife's
car. She hurried toward tho bed and
fell on her knees beside it, bathed III
tears. He laid his worn, wasted hand
tenderly upon hor head.
II feel better than for weeks past-only
weak, very weak. DO not weep love.
Let mo be carried into the garden, in the
sweet fresh air, among the spring flow
els. shall soon grow strong"
"ln a few hours" she said, when the
sun has risen quito, and the dows arc
gone. Rest till then"
Later in tho day they placed him on
the grass, swathed in warm rugs and
propped with pillows. And there ho lay
day by day, delightiug in tho air and
golden sunshine, in the flowers and
songs of birds. As no grew stronger,
they let his children come to him Eflio
threw her arms round her fathers neck
when she saw him for tho first time:
II have q secret to tell you, papa" sho
whispered. "You must not toll nurse;
she says it is nonsense. had told
mama, aud she only cried.'
well, what is the secret little one 2"
asked the father, gaily.
II prayed Caradriou might come to
make you we'll, and l feel sure he did
for you arc better since that night. Did
he come? Toll mo, papa, dear"
The father kissed the sweet face and
pressed tho CHI h fondly to him. Mother
he nor his vito spoke a word. There arc
moments for which this, our mortal
speech, has no words.
AS for Eflie, she will find the answer
to her question beyond this life.