New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-12-06
arms above her clingingly.

| fingered lovingly over MS name, Tor
when we meet again he must stay with
me until the last Don't turn so white,
M0llie, and don't feel unhappy about
me. have seen what was approach
ing for some time, and all is peace with
me. My only sorrow is to leave Dun;
can. Poor boy! to wait for me 50 long,
and to make me such q lovely home,
and then to lose me in such short
time! MOllie, want to say something
70 you about him. When i few years
have gone by, and my grave is bright
with flowers, will you try and bring
happiness again into his clouded life?
| Will you marry him?''
Mollie could control herself no long
st breaks my heart to hear you talk
so, Agnes! You are too young to die!
! you must live.''
III it distresses you 50, will not re-
! fer to it again. Some time, though, you
may remember my words. Mollie,
| come nearer
She laid her thin hands on the bright
head bowed before her. MAY Heaven
bless this dearest and truest of friends.
As she has frightened my life, may her
own be bright to its close. Now, dear,
60. Twill try and sleep SO as to look
my best when my Duncan comes.''
! 1t was sunset. Agnes wished to be
| placed where she could see the reful-
gent orb in his full beauty. Her hus-
band, who had arrived some hours pre-
vious, lifted her in his strong arms and
laid her among the cushions in large
casy-chair- wheeled her to the
window.
| She lay for q time quiet and motion
! less. There was a great contrast be-
/ tween the perfect peace of her express
! sion, and the gloom which filled her
husbands eyes as he watched her. He
/ felt that the little hand resting within
! his own was fast slipping away from his
grasp.
Suddenly her face grew instinct with
| light. She pointed upward.
'.Oh, Duncan! see the sunlight on
the peaks of dear old Ben Lomond-no
| 1t is the glow upon-Yes! I see!
come, mother!''
! Her head sank back upon the cush-
ions. They were white as new fallen
snow, but the sweet face resting upon
! them was whittier. Duncan was alone
with his dead.
/ Just then the western sky was lit
with a strange glory. For some hours
the silver-tipped clouds had been gath
ering for fray, until now one shining
summit after another lay massed in
huge embankment across the azure
+ heavens; then the forked lightning be-
gan to dart from peak to peak, while
I'D
them like the voice of warning spirits.
binding flash told q story of devasta.
ton. A few moments laterthe inmates
of Carruther farmhouse were summon
ed to the spot by an underlined fear,
which was proved to be but too we'll
founded.
Agnes pure spirit had indeed taken
its flight heavenward upon the wings of
the storm.
1t was Mollie's first experience of
death, and in the deep depression which
came upon her, her health failed.
just at this time, when her parents
anxiety was aroused about her, letter
came from sister, who had married
and lived abroad since Mollie's earnest
recollection.
She wrote most lovingly of the ''little
sister," and begged that she might have
her as q question a few years. while she
was finishing her education, promising
to place her under the best masters.
At any other time the answer would
have been decided s'no," but fear for
Mollie's health now made it an affirma-
tive one; and the next out going steam
H.
and Mollie among her passengers.
Another year found Mollie alone, as it
were, among strangers, for her father
and mother had only remained for
visit, and returned without her.
y
Six years later we again take up the
thread Of our story.
An expectant group await the arrival
of . steamer. A white haired old man,
and one who is still in LIES prime, but
with lines of care and sorrow upon his
broad forehead which contradict the
story by the erect figure and dark clus-,
tering hair, untouched by Times silver.
Conflicting emotions snrged through
Duncan Stewards heart as he stood BE-
side Mr.. Carruther upon the wharf. A
uay AsaI ava II JUG psaSt WtS III MS
memory-one that had heralded in q
brief season Of happiness, which had
been succeeded by long and dreary
blank. He had been prosperous man ]
as the world calls it, but all had palled
upon him since the love of his early
manhood had been blighted.
But a hustle recalled him to himself.
Mr.. Carruther had looked in vain for his
little Mollie' face, and was turning away
in disappointment when pair of cling
ing arms embraced him.
s.Father," said sweet, clear voice,
''don't you know mep''
The old man looked at the tall, bloom
ing girl for a moment. Then he said:
II know your eyes, lass; but I see I
have cen lost my little Mollie for ever!
Where is shep''
Mollie laughed.
LEFT in France long ago. father;
but you are not going to love me bit
less because am SO grown up, are you?
If you are, I am going straight back
again.
well see about that, lassie; but
here is Duncan. Have you no greeting
for an old friend?'
Mollie extended her hand with q
frank smile as Duncan said few words
of welcome.
Duncan was as much surprised as her
father. Strange to say it was little
Mollie, his child-friend whom he also
had expected to see, and this elegant,
self-possessed young lady banished the
dear, remembered vision for ever.
But Mollie had not outgrown her
warm, childish nature, and she was
secretly hurt at her reception; though
blythe time Duncan had seen to herlug-
gage and rejoined them again she had
banished the unpleasant feeling and was
chatting merrily away to her father