Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-09-03

eoiae uPOn ner, ana We went 10 AOn-
Meal.
There We lived quietly for years dur
ing the winter time. The nuns of the
great Convent OF the Gray Sisters took
charge of my education. Mother and
/ had neat little rooms in the French
quarter, while father went off moose
hunting for weary months; but the
summer time We always spent with him.
He would choose lovely spots for our
summer encampnents, never on the site
of the log cabin deserted after the baby's
loss, until tho summer OF my 10Th year.
Then a great desire took possession of
my mother to 60 once more 10 the old
home. She had been very delicate that
winter. and my great, rough father de-
MED her nothing. l shudder when 1
think OF that beautiful, diraful place
now-it seems ss though our evil fa.e
lowered about it. All the anguish ever
knew oenters there.
We passed one peaceful month 10
gether, disturbed only by distant ru-
mors Of diphtheria, q scourgs which
seemed to be striding from village to
village, first on the river, then nearer
MS on the great lake; but We never
thought Of its touching us. until one
miserable night, when father came
home, languid and feverish, from one
of his numerous expeditions, and We
read in his face that tine ghastly finger
of the scourge had set its mark upon
him. After the second day Of anxiety
about father all strength seemed to fail
my delicate little mother. From the
nrst she had despaired about him, and
now saw that, if fathers life were
taken, I should have to part With them
both.
Her life would die with bis. for sorrow
forges stronger bonds even than joy, and
they had suffered 40 much together. his
love always supporting her, that he had
become life Of her life. She could not
exist alone.
1 struggled hand to hand, and sick at
heart against what felt to be An in
exorable fate. and. on the afternoon Of
the eighth day. found myself alone and
almost despairing, save for the happi-
ness Of the two had loved best in the
world.
The sunset came, as sat by the lake
side, flooding my desolated world with
heavenly glory, like sign from them to
me of their new-found Joy.
The stars had come out, before ven-
tured to return to the worse than deserted
house. could not hope for help from
any neighbor until sought it out myself
the next day, and I had to look forward
TO night, how horrible. I did not fore
see or l could not have endured it.
What followed I could scarcely credit
myself, If I did not bear on my hand
tangible proof in q well-defned scar
and, even now, could not bear to write
of that nights experience, had not my
children's laughter, and my loving bus
bands care long since banished all un-
natural gloom from my life.
While had been sitting alone on the
lake shore, toward the evening. 1 had
heard distant hot /; it scarcely reused
me. A sportsman, 1 thought, had wan
dered from his encampment on the op-
posite shore, and seen some game In our
wildwoods, killed it, and his canoe had
long since carried him away. In the
gathering darkness groped my way
back through the familiar little path,
and reached my own door. l alone
should pass the threshold in the future
their feet were still !; the busy feet that
had toiled for me, followed me, and had
Seen ever near me! l was to go on my
rugged path alone Heartsick and over.
come, stopped at the door, and, lean
ing nv head against it, sobbed in un'
controllable despair. Tired out at length,
1 had grown quiet. and was about to lif'
the latch, when a faint moan, IS of ar
animal in pain, and close TO me. startled
me then death-like silence reigned.
knew had been mistaken. fel
that must forget myself and help tn
DOOR creature in distress. at is yer.
good for strength to know that some on
needs You to be strong" No longe
hssitating I hurried into tl little cabin
struck light and went in the direction
whence the moan had reached my carr
I thought Of the shot I had heard. ]
was quite possible poor wounded dee
vas lying in the bushes. Yes, I coul
now zee its skin-unmistakably faw
-spotted dun color. 1tlay quite still
perhaps that moan had been its dyin
easp-and 20 I came quite close to i
! leaned over. and, paralyzed with horror
ssw my mothers face, only young an
very beautiful, a. she must have locke
u l. - Z