The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-09-29
THE GOLDEN GUEST.

All through the long dark winter,
with its ceaseless moaning wind whist
line without, and the continual drip,
drip of the rain, for ever in her ears,
little NAV had laid on her tiny bed help
less and suffering.
The attic in which she dwclt was so
dark and cherries. the one window,
high above her head, was broken, and
patched with paper scarcely letting in
more than grey sombrc light.
But as day after day passed in gloomy
monotony, May never lost the smile of
patient peace which always illuminated
her little palid face. Her mother, Il
rough, hard woman, was seldom ut
home and the child was therefore near
ly always alone.
Few visitors ever found their way to
the dingy attic, only two that Mary
cared to sec-the kind minister and his
daughter, gentle, sweet-faced girl
One day. when the sky was darker,
and the wind moaned more piteouslv
than usua: May lay quietly expecting
her visitor.
Presently she heard Il soft footstcp
coming up the rickety old stairs, and
Miss Graham came into the room, carry
inc in her hands n cluster of dollhouse
flowers and II basket OF fruit.
MAY, dear, how are you?" she asked
pleasantly, bending to kiss the pale
face.
Much bettcr,'now YOU have come.
always am May answered gladly.
See, have brought you a few flow
ers and some grapes. Aren't they
lovelyP"
They are beautiful, dear Miss Gra-
ham. How kind YOU are.
Now you must eat the grapes. ]
hope they will taste as nice As they
look
They are delicous'' May cried as
Sic obeyed her friend
II wonder you came to-day, il is 50
rough. can hear the wind outside J
wish the summer would come. 1t is SC
dark and dreary.
I'VE must hope that the dark DAYS
will soon he over, then the summer will
repay YOU for this drearinesS. Mis-
Graham replied.
Il often wonder if Shall ever sec
the sun shine again, | sometimes think
not"
"Oh YES, you will. and perhaps by
then be able TO run about; you mus not
get such sad thoughts into your head.
See, your flowers are beginning to droop
already. Let me put them into some
water
Poor flowers! they will soon die.
Isn't it strange, that when we die we
have another life, far more beautiful
than this; yet when these lovely flowers
fade and die they are dead for cverp
What becomes of the scent which clings
to them in life?"
lit is not gone for ever, May. The
sweet odor which makes us love the
flowers only leaves them to make our
heavenly home more beautiful by its
fragrance" =,
II am so glad. Twas always grieved
when / saw a flower die. Everything
passes away so soon. The last time |
went out before my illness went to the
harvest home, and the song they sang
was so Joyous and sweet, but it faded
away. Is there anything beyond
music's flight?" May asked wistfully.
Don't you think, dear that long after
the song is ended an echo still remains
III our UcdTlS W ulCu never IutltS, ttluIlU
another link to the chain of thoughts !
breathing to us of heaven? There is
not thing which passes in our lives
but what leaves n lasting impression Of
good or evil
Il should like to die May said,
breaking the silence which had fallen |
between them. 1T must be very beau
tiful in heaven, so full of happiness and
rest
You must not talk of dying yet,
May, your little life has only just begun. |
And now, dear. am afraid | must 90. |
1t is getting SO late and dark. | believe |
it is raining too"
"Oh. | am so sorry. You will get !
wet
mo, think not; do not mind lit !
tie rain. And now, May. is there any |
thing you want-anything | can bring
you?'
mo, there is nothing, except yourself. |
| wish you could stay longer II is so |
lonely here. | wish the sun would |
shine.
Cheer up, dearest, you will not have |
long to wait; even the longest day must |
come to an end. Goodbye, Miss Ora |
ham said cheerfully. bending to kiss
the pretty pallid face.
Goodbye, dear Miss Graham. Come |
again soon."
Weeks passed but Miss Graham did not !