The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-02-09
THE ANGELS TEAR.

w ooh Nou t'tuC out Va 6CuOOl CHI az
Mrs. Kings and ask how Ruth Is"
Kitty paused in the doorway and
Pouted her pretty lips. look of dis
pleasure crossing her face.
but. mamma" she began petu.
lantly.
"Now, Kitty, run away. or you will
be late; and don't forget what l told
you"
The child turned impatiently away,
the frown deepening on her brow.
Breathless and heated she arrived at
school. Instead of trying all in her
power to control her passion, she gave
way to 1t on the slightest provocation.
All her lessons were 4 trouble to her,
and imperfectly learnt, SO that she was
kept In long after the other children had
gone home, and when released, hot aud
tired. she stood in the cool porch of the
school.
"Oh. dear, it is SO hotr' she murmur-
cd, cycling with great disfavOr q tiny
white cottage almost hidden from view
amongst the trees at the very top of a
hill. Il shall never be able to walk all
that way until get cooler. don't see
why should haveto go; Ruth is always
ILL.,"
Turning her Back on the glaring white
road. Kitty walked slowly towards the
pretty green valley where she dwelt.
Partly because she felt rather uneasy
as TO whether she had acted rightly,
partly 10 linSer as long a. possible on
her homeward way, she rOamcd over
the meadows in search of flowers.
Al last. feeling tired, she threw her.
self down under shady tree, and
watched the birds as they winged their
flight to heaven.
She lay there Tor some time. until her
eyes. heavy with sleep. closed. and Il
deep calm fell upon her. from which
she was aroused by hearing sound Of
music, almost unreal in It's sweetness,
and looking up she beheld vision,
which filled her heart with mingled
feelings OF fear and awe.
The sky. which seemed 10 have drawn
nearer 10 her. WAS open. disclosing a
tiny form clad in snowy garments
On her head rested IA giittering crown,
aud in her hand she held one pure white
liy.
While Kitty gazed. voice low and
sweet fell on her ears: kitty
She s::lgt1d. and looked up inquir.
iDglv.
"Are you -Ruthp" she asked in an
awe-strickrn whisper.
"Yes. Kitty. Bat God sent one OF His
angels Ia fetch me away from the life
OF pain. and made me one of His child
rem. Lam happy now. oh, so happy"
she said. looking upwards, with eyes
filled with rapt alteration, which slowly
faded, when she turned once more to
Kitty. AMI WAS succeeded by a wistful
sadness. a plying tenderness.
'.Ah. Kitty. you little thought when
you disobeyed your mother, and neglect
cd her wishes. that the friend you were
so unwilling 10 help was past all earthly
aid. Yet, don't you think il yOu had
practised self-denial and gone to her
She would have felt grateful for your
kindness, and her last thought of you
would have been one Of pleasure? Now
she knows how selfish YOU are"
And the angel-child bent sorrowfully
over Kitty. who. filled with shame and
remOrse. bowed her head i'll her hands
81 did not mean TO be so ungracious,
only it was so hot / could not go so
far" she murmured humbly.
..Do YOU think il was right TO crafty
YOUR own inclination? Will you be
happier. knowing you allowed the
chance Of doing good to pass, to suit
your own comfOrt?"
And Ruth gazed earnestly at kitty's
distressed counHnaucc.
81 will try to do better in future--in-
daod I will " she sObbet
Farewell, Kitty, farewell" Ruth
cried, and softly passed the lily she held
across Kitty's brow, atear rolled slowly
down her cheek. and fell on the childs
hand. and lay like diamond sparkling
in the rays from above.
With sad smile the little angel rose
In the air, nearer to that home she had
left for q short time, and through the
half-opened portal golden light
cleaned, throwing q flood of splendor
over her white robes rs she disappeared.
Kitty, silent aud wondering, watched
her az she entered the crystal gates;
then the sound of music, which had fol-
lowed and surrounded her like the peal
of unseen bells, grew fainter, and finally
died away; thick cloud rolled with a
loud crash over the opening, shutting
out the sight of angel forms. and leav-
ing only in its stead a dreary darkness.
As that awful crash fell on her ears.
Kitty started to her feet, and glanced
around in wild alarm.
Could il have been possible she had
been asleep. and the vision OF Ruth and
the crystal gates be only d dream.
As She still gazed, lost In amazement,
another drop larger and clearer fell be-
side it; this was followed by many others.
and Kitty. looking upwards, saw that 1t
was raining.
A vivid fash of lightning passed
swiftly through the air, and again that
awful crash she had heard in her sleep
fell Oh her car.
She could doubt no longer storm
was threatening, and unless she hasten.
cd would commence in all its fury be.
| fore she reached home.
Trembling in every limb, Kitty
turned to 60, when sudden thought
struck her.
She had not been to Mrs. Kings, and
perhaps Ruth was worse, and wanted
help, and the vision she bad seen was
sent to warn her.
At last, breathless and >vet through,
the rain pouring down In torrents, she
| reached the little white cottage, and
with her heart beating wildly in min.