Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-12-22

white stile and was soon lost in fresh
thought. Memory carried him back to
the day his mother died, and he saw
himself again in childish grief, bending.
half in wonder, half in awe, over the
open grave, and then kissing q white
ose-bud from neighboring bush and
casting it on to the coffin, land then he
thought Of the after visits he had paid ii
it was green and howery, and remem-
bered how many times he had wished he
could have slept beside her. Tears
streamed down his cheeks as he leaned
there; those holy tears which come un-
hidden to wash tho heart OF the dust
that has gathered on its beauty.
Suddenly he started. A low, sweet
strain fitted by on the evening breeze,
and to his highly-wrought feelings it
seemed at first like the angel voice of
her he mourned. But he soon rallied
himself. and listening cloaelv. diaoerned
that it came from locust grove in
distant corner of the yard, and he felt
intuitively that it was the night hymn
of the Lily sung over the grave OF her
buried loves.
He forbore to disturb the solemnity
of the spot by seeking the acquaintance
he desired, and so he turned from the
stile, and passing on, threw himself on
a bank of violets beside the stream, and
was soon lost in delicious revery.
"A beautiful spring night, SIR" said
I mild voice soon, and starting up the
Young man found himself face to face
with the aged pastor, on whose arm
leaned the fair young mourner.
"You are stranger, sir, take it,
here. 1 noticed you in church, and !
should have spoken to you there, but I
had no chance. We are plain, simple
people here, but mean to do our duty,
and if while you tarry I can be of SER
vice, you may command me. ;"
1t was courteous greeting, not SC
much in words as in the fatherly man.
ner of the gray haired man, and Reuben
pffered his hand warmly and expressed
his thanks for the kindness, and as Ia.
walked back to the village with them.
charmed them with his high-toned
gretful when the pastors gate was
reached.
"Let us see you here tomorrow, .
said he, as he led the Lily in, for she
was his dove-like blessing, cor tonight,
even, if apart from home, family altar
should be longed for"
II have longed for it since my mother
died, said the young man with touch
ing pathos.
"Come with us then, sir. We have
| few forms, but we trust our hearts art
right" and he ushered Reuben into the
| little study, and for while they sal
ihere in the calm moonlight, not con.
versing with each Other, but uttering as
they chanced, the holy thoughts yhicl
begged for an expression.
At an early hour an aged female do
mestic,epte with lights, and dgeM
stand. to the pastors side, He turned
overthe leaves of the family Bible Ill
he had selected chapter, and thel
passed it to the young man, saying:
"My eyes grow dim; let me borrow
yours
Reuben took the holy volume rever
emily, and read ia clear, thrilling tones
those glorious passages from St. john
commencing: "Let not your heart b.
troubled" When he had closed. th
pastor turned to Lily for the hymn. ]
quivered on her lips, but the sacre'
emotions of her heart were too powerful
for her weakened frame, and the word
hung there in uttered music. Reuben
keen ear had caught the strain, though
and his rich voice harmonized fully wit
the lofty words as he sung it through
Then the aged man bent his knee an
prayed. And, while he took in tn
whole world in his petition, he We
pleaded earnestly and individually for tn
gentle girl he had taken to his heart
and for the stranger who worshipe
with them, and, subdued as his hilma
feelings were, the young man was &c
conscious of sudden thrill Of JOY whe
he heard himself thus coupled in solem
prayer with the beauteous Lily.
Only snatches of sleep came to hi,
that night; most of it was spent i
revery. And when he went out on th
ensuing morning, life wore change
look t9 him. It had put on majest
that awed him, and yet that reused hiE
to sublimer views. The divinity With
him was aroused, not partially, br
thoroughly, and he resolved to hee
we'll its intui:ive suggestions. 3
sought out the aged pastor and reveale
to him his previous life, its longings. i
: aspirations, It's unquietness, and his Ia
resolve, to seek him ont a bride wi
should give beauty and bliss to life.
when saw Lily yesterday" sal
he, 1.-The poets charming story can
wildly to mind, and resolved to w
her as did the lord OF the tale. In pain