Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-05-15
srAUNToN, VA. TUESDAY, MAY Is, 1888.

IA woman. and nothing to live for
Z One of Gods intelligent creatures, an
nothing to live for!n q
/ There was SO such rebukein the ton
with which this was offered that Mrs
LOring was partly aroused thereby.
"Come! Let Us see whether there h
not something to live for. Comet yol
must go with me this morning"
So decisive was the Iady's manners
impeliipg the action of the will-tha
Mrs. Loring found herself unable to re
sist, and SO with reluctance that was no
concealed, she made her preparations t
; go out. In due time she was ready, and
descending with her. friend, took a sea
: in her carriage and was driven away
Houses, trees, public buildings. swep
like moving panorama before he
eyes, and though familiar objects glass
ed themselves therein, they failed {,
awaken the slightest interest. Thesk
was clear, ard the bright sunshine lay
everywhere; but her heart still sat unde
a cloud, and folded around itself gloon
for mantle. Her friend talked to her
calling her attention every little whiIet,
some new palace. home, or to SONS
glimpse of rural beauty which. the ey,
caught far in the distance But all wal
vain; the mourner's slender form still
lshruna back among the cushions, anC
her face wore its ssddest aspect.
Suddenly the carriage drew up before
aneat looking hou of moderate size
with a plat of ground in front, wherein
were verdant square and borders o1
well-tended flowers Ere Mrs. Loring
had time to ask a question the coach
man was at the door.
"Why do you stop hers?" she in
quired.
"I wish to make brief cali. Come
you must go in with me-"
Mrs. Loripg shook her head in posi-
tive way, and said mo" still more posi-.
lively.
"You will meet 10 light votary OF
fashion here, my friend" said the lady
"but one who has suffered like yourself
Come!n
But Mrs Loring shrunk farther back
in the carriage.
1T is now only three months since
she followed to their mortal resting
place two precious little ones. the last
of her flock, that, scarcely a year ago
numbered four. want you to meet
her Sisters in sorrow, you cannot but
feel drawn toward each other by cords
of sy ympathy."
Mrs Loring shook her head impera
lively.
"No-no! 1 do not wish to see her
I have grief enough of my own without
sharing in that of others Why did you
bring me here? ?" There was something
like anger in the voice of Mrs Loring
"Six months, nearly. have passed
since God took your children to Him.
self, aud time, that softens grief, has
brought to you at least some healing
leaves The friend I wish to vista
friend in hum BILE life-is sorrowing with
as deep a sorrow. that is yet but three
months old Have you no word tC
speak to her? Can you not, at least
mingle a tear with her tears? 1t may
do you both good. But DO not wish tt
urge selfish reason Bear up with
womanly fortitude under your own sor-
row, and seek to heal the sorrow of q
sister, over W hose heart are passing the
waters of affiiction. Come, my friend !'i
Mrs Loling. SO strongly urged, step
ped out upon the pavement. She dtd
SO with a reluctance that was almost
unconquerable. Oh, how earnestly she
wished herself back in the shadowy
i solitude of her own home.
rs Mrs. Adrian at home ?" was in
quiredSof the tidy girl who come to the
door. The answer being in the affirma
tive, the ladies' entered and were shown
into small but neat sitting room, on
the walls of which were portraits, in
crayon. of four as lovely children as
ever the eyes looked upon. The sight
of these sweet young faces stirred ths
waters OF sorrow in the heart of Mrs
Loring, ard she hardy restrained hel
tears While yet her pulses throbbed
with 8 aquicker beat, the door opened and
8 woman entered, on whose rather pale
face was emile of pleasant welcome
my friend, Mrs Loring," such was
the Introduction, "of whom 1 have
spsk N to you several times"
The smile did not fade from the eoun-
tenance of Mrs. Adrian, but, its express
sou changed as she took the hand oi
Ms Lnring and said:
"r thank you for your kindness in
calling
Mrs Loving scarcely returned the
warm pressure with which her hand
was taken. Her lips moved slightly,
but no word found utterance Not the
feeblest effort at responsive smile Was
visible.
We have both been called to pass
through the fire." said Mrs. Adrian, in
more subdued tones, though the smile
still play Ell around her lips Happily,
OnesWas with us when the flames were
fiercest, or we ynuat have been consum
e,! ~
rhe dropping eyes of Mrs. Loring
| we're raised. with half wondering ex
preston. to the face of Mrs Adrian
Sill h0vered the smile about those pale
lips but iie meaning was no longer d
mystery the smile was loving effort
| hr tr,t ~
"f grjeving sister From the face OF
Mrs Adria0 the eye of Mrs. Lorine
wandered to the portraits of her chill
dre. on the wall.
"All gone!" The words fell from
Mrs Loring's lips almost tinvoluntariiy.
She spoke from uew impuIse-pity for
a sister in sorrow.
"A:l,n- was answered. "They were
precious TO me-very precious God
took Them"
A slight husk mess waited her voice.
"Beautifui children!" Mrs Loriug
still gaZed on the portraits. land all
taken n year. Oh, how did you keep
your heart from breaking ?"
He who laid upon me so heavy q
burden gave me strength to bear it,''
was the low reply.
"I have found no strength in a like
affiictiOn," said Mrs. Loring, sadly.
mo strength! Have you sought sus-
tanning power?" Mrs. Adrian spoke
with winning earnestness.
81 have prayed for comfort, but none
came" said Mrs. Lorine, sadly.
Praying is well but it avails not,
unless there be also doing.
| 'Doing?"
"Yes, the faithful doing of our duty.
Sorrow has no antidote like this.n
Mrs Loring gazed intently upon the
face Of her mother
] when the last heavy stroke fell upon
my heart" continued Mrs. Adrian
"shattering l., as it seemed, 10 pieces, ]
lay for little while stunned, weak and
almost helpless. But as soon as thought
began to run clear, I said to myself: Is
there nothing for my hands to do, that