The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-27

quietly. TEL me If you like my design"
Husband aad wife hastened to inspect
the profered sketch. They saw an up.
rooted plant caught on a stone parapet,
the blossoms still tinged with rose even in
death. Above slanted a shower Of golden
sunbsams, and on this luminous pathway
were inscribed the words,
! am the Resurrection,
Aad ths Life.
Surely you have never done any work
like this, deAr," said sister Anne, kissing
the artist affectionately. 81 know YOU
consider me no judge Of art, but it reminds
me OF the studies you used TO make when
q girl at home. Do you remember gath
ering the leaves and wild flowers in the
hedges, and painting them Just as you held
them in your left hand2
81 burned all that rubbish when began
life seriously" replied Agnes, with curl.
ing lip. "Flower-painting is all very well
for schoolgirls.'
Humphrey continued to study the de-
sigu attsntively, 81 suppose the uprooted
plant signifies the human body after DEATH
and the sunshine Christ in resurrection
The flower will bloom again. he said
slowly.
"Yes," replied Agnes. Then she added,
in a musiDg tone, unmindful that her
companions would not understand her
words at is the sole commemoration Of
the poor plant cast out in the cold. No.
body else missed Il : The conservatory is
SO full.
"You will win the prize affirmed sis
ter Anne, the practical
"If do, | shall buy baby new cap
and muH, said Agnes, merrly.
A month later the little clerk brought
home letter. ~ was tempted to open
it, because it bears the stamp of Lang and
Co., he exclaimed.
Agnes took the missive, her fingers
trembed, and the color rushed to her
cheeks. Accepted, she said, after
pause.
1--WE were sure of ii" responded sister
Anne and Humphrey in unison.
"HaYe you seen the favorite Easter card
of the season, ladies p inquired the clerk
Of fashionable store
With these words he displayed the de-
sign Of Agnes Clement TO bevy of young
ladies'.
"How pretty exclaimed one.
"The most charming means Of atoning
for the dOlinquencies Of the past year ia
letter.writing, said another
II 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
''0f spring bonnets trimmed with yio-
lets and roses, interrupted the first speak
er, laughing. "The Punishment must be
poky enough, even if they are still bride
! and bridegroom. do not believe Har-
! rvs lungs were really affected after a cold.
his parents are so fussy, you know, be.
cause he is an only child
On Easter-eye the snow Of late and
severe winter still fingered about little
town Of the far West, noted for the purity
Of dry atmosphere.
r The young wife, May Hartwell, pu
! aside the book she had been reading aloud
for her listener had fallen asleep. Hel
fair face was unclouded by anxiety OIL
; trouble. She smiled as she looked at hel
, husband. She had developed the quail
ties Of good wife aud nurse, thus tested
T by experience, although her patient CAV,
her little trouble, except to amuse him
0 Suffering had not marred him; no painful
cough racked his frame. lie was ia
tigued, listless, and preferred the sofa
where he rested while making plans 70
the future. Now he slept, with the lish
l touching his graceful head, the rich Per
: sian colors Of his dressing-gown, and th,
gray fur of the rug spread over him
Certainly he was trife delicate, and |
+, was wise to cure symptoms Of illness il
time. Had she not added her solicitation
; to those of his family by fastening he
: marriage in order to take care Of him d?
She left her seat, and went out noise
lessly. Ii was the hour when letters wer
distributed in the h5tel. At the stair
S way she paused, aad looked down into tn
lower hall. Half an hour earlier til,
. doctor-a cheerful presence 10 the live
| Of the two young strangers-had called
/. bringing with him friend, quite by ae
0 cident, as he happened to be in town
= This friend, an older physician, had con
; versed chiefly with May, aud about III
= East. She now perceived the latter stan
t ing beside the great stove in the hall
+, warming his hands, aud while she hesita
5 ted abou. descending the staircase in con
Q sequence, he was Joined By the othe
, physician. The illness Of the landlady'
9 baby explained their detention in III
, house.
4 "Well, what do you think of the youn
man above stnirs?" inquired the residen
: doctor, in low tone.
+, "Quick consumption, as you say II
! may last fortnight, aud he may be eon
tomorrow, was the grave response.
D May drew back, shocked aud srieveC
: aud returned to her rooms Who wa
D the young man above stairs She di
4 not know. Tomorrow she would ask III
: kind doctor about him Perhaps he wa
I poor and alone Harry still slept aud sh
! resumed her seat. Then, with her din
pied chin resting ON her hand, she sufiere
5 thought to bear her back 10 her distau
+ home, the beyy Of young friends who ha
J, remembered her in the shop the Eastc
E season. The clock struck eleven. De
{ eidedly her invalid should be in bed, bu
G she was reluctant to disturb his refreshiu
: sumber. Again she rested her dimple
f chin in her PALM her own eyelids CLOSED
e A sensation Of cold and fear awakenet
e her. "Harry Where are you, dear
e she said, bewildered by sleep aud frigh
: The lamp was burning low; the cloc
1 struck one; and the luminous whiteuess q
I the outside world, where all nature wa
/ veiled in snow, invaded the silent roou
/. May approached the sofa. Harry ai
q slept His face was pale, aud the feature
! appeared sharper, pinehed, as if the col
: Of tho night had chilled them. Midnigl
: had sounded and il was already EasteI
G day. May knelt beside the couch, an
!, softly chafed the cold hand, as a gent
4 means Of awakening hiia. Then he oper
ed bis eyes aud looked at her. Thcl
D was something 50 profound, steadfast an
strange in this gaze that her heart cease
z to beat; words Of endearment remaine