Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-01

her Inflated lover. There she remained
thinking and dreaming. They could not
persuade her to come in. SO wrapped her
in warm shawl.
Sunset came on, and was almost as
beautiful, curious, perhk ps, tn st 1t should
bs so, a. the one he and she had watched
together more than six months before.
The brilliant beams shons like molten
gold in the glowing west, the blue sky
around WAS aecked with pink and anne
thyst, Alis0n's eyes were fixed on the
lovely so-ne with an eraptured gaze, her
lips slightly parting with emotion.
ALLISON, what are you thinking Off"
"0t him, mother. OF his happiness
He is living in all that glorious beauty.
| think there must have been an unoon-
scious provision in his mind by what he
said that evening as We watched it, that
he should soon be there. Oh, mother,
wish | WAS going to him l wish could
be with him tomorrow !"
The mother paused she felt inclined
to say something, but she feared the agi-
ia ion it might cause.
well, we'll, child, you are getting
BETTER" she presently answered.
"Yes, do get better" sighed the girl
81 suppose 1t pleased God that should"
thine soothes all things, Alison. In
time You will be strong again and able to
fulfil life's various duties with zsst.
Trials are good-oh, so very good for
the soul. But for meeting with them Wa
might never learn the way to heaven"
Alison did not answer. Her feeble
hands were clasped in silent prayer, her
face was lifted to the glories OF the even
ing sky.
1t was at the same sunset hour, an
evening or two later, that Alison, who
was picking up strength daily, strolled
away to the ohurchyard. She wanted to
look for newly-made grave in that
corner where 80 many of the Watkyns
lay buried.
She could not see it; the same grave
stones that were there before were there
now there was no fresh one.
"Perhsps they opened the old vault
| for him." thought Alison, al she sat down
on the bench just inside the gate, for she
| was too weak to walk back again without
a rest
The sun was going down tonight with
out any loveliness, just as crimson ball
which seemed to give red light to the
atmosphere, and to light up redly the
face of a pale, lettering man who was
coming up to the gate by help of stick.
He halted when he reached it. Alison
turned sick and faint with all manner of
emotions as she gazed at him, fright
being uppermost.
"Alison 70
| "Thomas ~
| He held out his hand he came inside !;
his pale sad face wore for her its old,
sweet expression.
| "Oh, Thomas, l thought you were
dead" she burst forth, in a storm of
| sob3. 81 came here to look tor your
grave. thought had killed you"
"They thought l was dead at first.
They thought for long while that |
should die" he answered, as he sat down
beside her, keeping her hands in his.
But the skillful medical men have
raised me up, under God. hope in time
to be strong and we'll again."
"Can you ever forgive me f' she
walled, bitter, painful tears falling down
her cheeks like rain. 81 shall never tor
give myself
"Nos Then you must atone to me
instead, Alison. Be all the more loving
to me during our future lives. We must
pass them together, my dear"
"Do you mean it still ~ she gasped.
"oh, Thomas, how good and true you
are. II can only be little bit worth y
of you"
They walked home slowly, arm in arm
Neither could walk fast yet. Mrs. Reece
came to the porch to meet them. God is
full of mercy, she thought.
~ did not tell her, Thomas" she said
''she was 80 dreadtully low when sht
came out of the fever. l meant to tel
her to- night
~ have told her myself it was bes
3d." answered Thomas Watkyn.