Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1881-06-09

Ter satisfied to know my children is il
the old home. can leave them with
you, Miss Lucy, knowing they viii be
better cared for than it will be in my
power to care for them in strange
home, and then might not be permit
ted to keep them with me, and we
might be separated forever. When I'm
gone, Ishall De happy kn0wizg you III
are tCgethet l'ere. aud ] cali pray better
for h"
II am willing TO do anything 10 give
you one instant's comfort even, Rachel,
and apart from your separation from
them, ! know they will be happier with
me, and | will treasure them, Rachel,
with ten-lold care. But must you goyp
and bursting into a flood oil tears as RAJ
chel pulled her trunk from ITS corner,
she hid her face in the pillow on The
bed where she had been sitting 10 stilg
the sobs she knew would distress the
old servant.
Mrs. Sloan entered with the children.
She bad deemed II best to make known
the fact of her mothers departure 10
Mary, who was old enough 10 under
stand it, and she bad done il in a man
ner that relieved il Of the horror that
the child entertained Of the saie Of her
mother; IT had taken the shape Of
murder in her mind and the result Of II
would have been 10 throw her into
spasms but Tor this thoughtluness of
Mrs. Sloan.
"These separations often occur, my
chIld; was separated from my mother
when ! was younger than you are and
never saw her again. Your mother
may not come back next week Or per.
haps for many weeks, but she II not be
gone long. feel il, and until she come.
back. Miss Lucy and will take care Of
you. She getiIngready togo now; wen
90 up TO Stay with her until she leaves,
and you must promise me You will not
distress her by your cries as you did 10
the little room.
"Ill Try, Miss RIA but poor nanny
don want 10 so away ! know"
Sh There now, be quiet"
The child did try, bot when Rachel
looked up aud saw them coming. the
mothers heart could not be NilIcd; Ma.
sCious pie Yl0rutszr 's..sss,i Iirltha 3 tIucpn.
resolution. She snaiched the little one
10 her 5osom, and the next moment a.
mentation aud weeping echoed through.
out the room. Mrs. Sloan turned away
powerless TO olTcr a word Of cousolaH3n,
aud Lucy kept her face bid IA the pillow
while she sobbed her sorrow aud sym
paihy IN the scene she dared not tfusl
herself TO look upon.
Warned by the strokes cf the clock
Of the fast-coming dreaded hour, Rachel
reused herself, aud soothing her chill
dren, resumed her preparations Mary
knelt down beside her as she arranged
such clothing as she intended to pack
into the trunk, and Bertha babbled and
Good over the array of pretty dresses
and aprons that were laid away N an
open drawer near by. The mother had
opened this drawer 10 select some little
souvenir Of the baby lief; behind tears
so blinded her sight she turned them
over many times not seeing what me-
menlo best to choose; finally a dress,
the christening dress made by her dead
mistress own hands, pair OF tiny red
shoes and little blue silk hood were
carefully laid ia the trunk, then a bro
ken doll and thrown By toy, faded
half-worn apron with its miniature
pockets filed with acorn-cups and With
cred rose.buds, the little boat with
white pebble and bit OF moss from the
old spring lodged IN its broken mast, all
carefully laid away as so many price.
less treasures Bertha babbling over eaet
article as they were drawn from theil
places 10 the drawer.
"My lisnin dwess. nanny; don't o.
10 IT; my wife wabbit, Mawry, he doiI
TO seep in mammys chunk. o, my
itiy wed suse: 'et me put EN- on m
looty; my itty boaty mart Orley dive
me; is 90 dom to men it for me, nam
my Z"
Rachel only answered with a It'll
pat on the cheek, and when the bah
sat down on the floor and tried to pa
the tiny shoe on, she said in husk
voice, 'Mammy's little woman is to
big for wed susy now dolly must hav
them
i Coniented, the little thing saw theI
placed alongside ODDLY" and putin
ther head inside the trunk bent over III
doll and kissed il, saying, "Dood by
t dolly; don't 90 loss lity suse,"
Smoothing aud retouching each art
5 Gle in the drawer, the old mother gay
them lingering look as she silent
! closed it. Opening another in whi'
. were the gay clothing and fancy ariicl,
she wore in past years and which 81
: meant to leave for Mary's use, she to'
out wooden box and unlocked II wi
1 a KEY attached to a hair chain, the g
Of her sainted mistress, and which 81
/ wore around her neck, precious tTea
= ure trove.
From the box she took several phi
o togrsphs and looked at them one by on
a great sob heaved her bosom as t
i small tawny face met her gaze, a
II bending over the little one now run
/ ging IN the open box, she cut oft k
e killed. curl, and pressing her lips to
il laid II on the picture and placed th'
10 each between the leaves oil Bible $
took from the same.
4 4 i L. a l.