The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-02-14

see faint lights through the chinks Of its
dirt encrusted shutters, and here loud
tones and evil words from within.
A man reels to the door, and looks
out; nothing but rain and black mud,
and horrible stencil from the rushing
cutters. He shuts the door with an oath
and goes in again.
Take care, missusp
A faint glimmer from lantern shows
me two figures picking their way
through mud and filth--a rough-looking
man, whose old fur cap i8{eawn low
over his brow, and behind I'D woman,
dressed in the coarse gown and white
cap OF an English Sister of Mercy; a lit
tie black wooden cross on her breast,
and long cloak round her. The face on
which the yellow light shines, is homely.
with slightly worn expression, and
eyes full of kindly sweetness.
II am very glad to have arrived" she
says cheerfully, shutting her cotton um-
brella, and about to step into tue house.
A man fiom within pushes her back
roughly but not unkindly.
''Do you know what you undertake,
MISUSE" he says. Five of em-two
brothers, wives, and child. And it's
black smallpox"
1 know; let me pass! Thank you for
your warming" she answered gently.
The man mutters something and draws
back.
She goes in.
/ suppose some days, even weeks
must have passed in my dreams, for I
awoke TO find my little circular picture
fnll of daylight.
1t is the same alley, but a narrow
pathway along it is swept clean and dry,
and here and there strewn with straw.
At tile door of the puolic
house stands little group of people
surrounding the sister of Mercy. Two
of them as if their hearts were too full
of speech; on the arm of one hangs a
weaklw woman, the other stands alone.
They press her hands, one man raises
the rough sleeve of her gown and kisses
its hem, with tears raining down his
hicks.
Kindly words she says to all. little
practical advice little exhortation. They
listen as if she were saint from heaven,
and then she goes on her way.
One old man exclaims as she disap-
pears: "Well, if there be God, He will
dCdA Jul OICSoiLSS Ou buot tilOAV oASeSAs
The shadows gathered 80 quickly over
my picture that hardly saw her to the
end of the street. Ileant my head on my
hand and tried to mako out these visions,
bnt seemed strangely unable to fix my
thoughts.
Exceptional cases, nothing but ex
ceptional cases." heard myself mutter,
and the words half aroused me. felt
for my pencil to make another memo
randum, when my attention was again
arrested.
n
Shadows rose up one after another
like thin curtains from my magic circle,
and a new scene presented itself to my
gaze.
A charming boudour, furnished with
every luxury, the walls hung with Grim
son silk, full of pictures and cabinets OF
precious china. A white bearskin rug
before the fire, on which was seated q
young lady, who leaned her arms on the
lap OF an older woman reposing in deep
They were very like each other, but
it was doubtful whether~the elder lady
colud have been so lovely:as her gold
haired child.
The girl held out to her mother a
closely written letter, saying in broken
voice Mother, [ want you to see what
I have written to him."
Her lips smiled bravely' while the
tears were streaming UNDECIDED down
her cheeks.
The mother took her letter. / seemed
to be reading with her eyes, for l heard
no voice, yet l knew what that letter
"MY DEAREST HARRY: Your letter
came to me this morning, and it is so
difficult to answer that hope you will
be patient with me. We have known
each other so long, and loved each 9TH
er so dearly, that it grieves me bitterly
to refuse TO marry.you. Yes, dearest, it
is indeed to refuse you that l write, and
perhaps you will think me hard and pc
dantic for my reasons, and perhaps I'M
feeling and uDkind. Oh, do not think
so, for have been crying all the time
that have been writing this, and
can scarcely see to write it now. 1t
roes to my very heart to grieve
you so. And must /, need I, tell you
why? Harry, if you do not grow more
steady, you will break my heart. I
have tried to believe what you say, that
could save you. / am only girl, and
very full of faults. l could not hear of
my husband gambling, or see him help
less from drink without terror, disgust,
horror. l dare not, Harry; your sal
vation is in higher hands than mine.
Do not lean on a broken reed. We
have no strength in ourselves. l am
doing this-I am sending you away from
me but it is breaking my heart. For
| love you, my darling-I love you as
[ know that you love me. Do not try
TO see Inc, or to alter my determination,
for 1t cannot be altered. Goodbye, my
darling. I will pray for all Gods bless
ings on your head. Goodbye, Good
bye, "MAUDE."
Then the shadows stole lingeringly
over the circle, folding it softly out OF
sight.
Again / must suppose lapse of time,
perhaps years. 1t is war time, anxiety
and trouble are brooding over the land.
room, with the same figures, but differ.
emily occupied. Dressed in deep mourn.
ing. m0her and daughter have been
picking lint A little packet of letters
lies on the table and low sobs burst now
and then from Maude.
There lies her own letter, worn and
yellow and old. 1t was found in his
breast, and sent home with a lock OF
his chestnut hair, accompanied by let
ter from hi; Colopel-full of bitter grief
or the young officer whom everyone
had loved, the steadfast, the best, the
bravest, the most Jealous, whose influ-
,nce had raised the whole tone of his
s'Maude Tell Maude I owe all to her
under God" Those were the last words
he uttered before he was laid in SOL
1ier's grave.
See, the shadows are stirring again,
moving to and fro in an agitated way.
What is coming now?
It was dark at first: then slowly, as
ny eyes got accustomed to the gloom,
[ saw before me a death-bed. Up
raised on white pillows lay an aged won. |
In, her face beaming with light |
more divine than OF earth, her pale |
hands crossed on her breast. Round
ler stood her sons and daughters. and
Ter children's children, and not one
lmong them who has not wept bitter |
ears that so soon they should see her |
ace no more.
y |