The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-04-12
THREE EASTERS.
rcoxrlyrED FROM FIRST PAGE.]

her. | will say nothing to remove the pleasant
impression OF her that fingers with you,
As he read this portion Spencer shuddered;
imagination, strengthened by the memory OF
Rachel and Elnor, wildly pictured the hoary
phantom to which the girl must necessarily De
reduced; and what strange influence was u
that ever turned his mind to Aida at this point
Was there a fatal significance in this fact!
ssShe frequently speaks of you, but have
observed that it is never in the presence OF
Aida. But as such times, when she does re-
fer to you, her dull eyes brighten, and such
glow comes into her poor, shrunken face, that
Il occasions in me strange fancies; but they
NAV be groundless ones, so | will speak no
more of them. When told that you would be
coming to join us at Easter, the poor girl ac-
tually asked me achdt Easter meant. gave
her the explanation, and it seemed to strange
" impress her. Since then, when she has
thought herself unobserved, / have seen her
pale lips move again and again, and caught
the whisper, He is risenF 1t appears to me
that the thought inspires her with an exalted
satisfaction, strange courage for her own
dark Journey that is to take her, likewise,
through the gates of death. The gravity OF
this solemn season is infectious. That same
glow that comes anon in the eyes OF the dying
IS duplicated in our darling Aida's. They
spend all of their time together, sitting with
clasped hands, and at such times there seems
about them something too sacred, yet pitiful
for mortal eye. This trying period is affect
ing our darling physically as well as mentally,
vet | hope and believe that nothing serious
will result from it"
As have said, this was the last communi-
cation received by SAKE, and, consumed with
poignant anxiety though he was, NO effort or
desire upon his part could break the death
like silence.
At last the time rolled around for his re-
turn He believed he would be with them
earlier than the date appointed.
Hasten as he would, it was the evening of
Easter Sunday when he arrived at the near
est metropolis to the point for which he was
bound.
That fear that he dreaded as being prophetic
received fresh stimulant as he approached his
journeys end.
Madly as he had yearned for the hour of re-
union, now that it was drawing nigh, an utter
cowardice possessed him.
He began to feel that the uncertainty OF the
past was more preferable to the sure revela.
ton of misfortune that instinct whispered
awaited him.
When he arrived at the well-known land
marks, his courage entirely gave way, and he
wandered in the woods in pitiful condition
of fear and despair.
At the nearest town he had secured some
Easter blossoms for Aida. Now, as he me-
chanically held them in his hand, he became
conscious of shrinking horror ofthem. How
like the grave they were
Had he fetched them for has bride, or the
bride of Death
He would know the worst. Actuated by
this resolution, he fastened his steps, and soon
reached that hateful stream, with its air of
mystery and disease. To the rest of the world
it was Easter; but here no rejoicing reached,
and no holy significance of the sacred Resur-
rection was visible.
Sullen gloom reigned supreme, and the hush
which spoke only of death, and not of the up
rising, seemed more profound than ever.
To SaXe's overweight nerves, the very at
mosphcre was replete with calamity.
Once again his courage deserted him, and
he stopped still upon the bank of the creek,
with the poisonous vapor rising about him and
mingling with the down coming night shadows,
himself not daring to challenge the wretched
history that might be locked up in that gloomy
shell.
And suddenly, as he stood thus, across the
creek, moving like speck of light upon the
ghostly scene, he saw approaching white
figure.
He fell a-trembling. Was it the spirit of
the loved and lost come back to greet in this
sad hour?
Nearer and nearer it approached, and when
it stood upon the opposite shore shudder
swept through him, and he closed his eyes.
But moment more, and dear form was i'll
his arms, warm, wet cheek pressed against
his own, and, like mighty torrent, the rap
turous knowlcdged went surging through his
soul that it was not the spirit, but the flesh;
yet he stood like stone.
After that first involuntary embrace, shy,
pale Aida drew back, and stood with downcast
eyes before her lover
Still he was like one stricken to marble;
only in one way did he prove that he pos
sessed action. He lifted his hands and, all
sweety- ladened as they were, let them rest
upon her dark head.
The fair Easter flowers dropped upon her
tender, tear washed face and fell at her feet,
where they shone softly in the dim light like
pale, fixed stars.
''Saxe, darling whispered the girl, 'do
not look So | am alive and well, so also is
your dear mother. Darling, while life lasts
we will never part again.
At last he was reused. A moment more
and she was strained to his heart, and he
knew that, despite that dark cloud of fear
that had enyeloped him, his love had been
spared him.
"And En-? he whispered, after a long,
sweet hush
''She lies with the rest, solemnly returned
the girl, ''where L, too, should soon be lain,
had not you rescued me"