The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-04-29
Nc, Mammal; 1 Can't Go to
SlecD."

The child was 90 sensitive. 10 Ike that little shrink .
ing plant that curls at O breath aud shuts Its heart
from the light.
The only beauties that she possessed were m ex-
~ccedingly transparent skin and the most mournful,
large blue eyes.
l had been tlaincd BY a very stern, strict, ~consctcn-
lions mother, but l was q hardy plant, rrhounding ui.
ter every shock misfortune could not dauat, though
discipline tanned me. hLrich, alas that l must 20
through the sane routine with this delicate creature.
20 one day when shc had displeasrd me exceedingly
by repeating m offence, I determined to punish her
severely. | was very serious oil dny, and upon SEND
Ing her tn her little couch I said:
NOW, my daughter. to punish you, and show ynu
how very, very naughty you have been, shall not
kiss you -ond night"
She stood lonking at me, establishment ~personif d,
with her great niournful eyes wide open-t suppose
she had forgotten her misconduct till then--and I l-ft
her with blk tears dropping down her cheeks and
her little red lids qnivering. -.
Presently / WINS sent for. "Oh. mamma. you triH
kiss me: | can't 90 to sleep II you don't !" she sob.
bed, every tone in her voice trembling. and her little
hands extended.
falsely termed duty. My heart said, give her the k'ss
Of pcace: my stern nature urged me 10 presist In my
correction, that l might impress the fault np"n her
mind. That was the way l had been trained, tn l
vas q most submissive child and l remembered how
often | had thanked my mother since fur her straight
for ward course.
knelt by tho bedside. aMothcr can't kiss you,
Ellen" 1 whispered, though every word chokcd me.
IcT HuNhl tuuCheu ibluo ~ "ho u v u"s
tribntcd It to her excitement. She turned her gricv-
cd little face to the wall. ! blamed myself as tho
fragil. form shuok with hnlf-suppressel so,s, and say.
Ing, mother hopes little Ellen will learn +. mini her
after this" len the room for the night. Alasl In my
desire to be severe I forgot to he forgiving.
1t must have b., n twelve o'clock when | wns awak-
ened by my nnrse. Apprehensire, l ran enscrly to
the chill's chamber ; l had had u fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sitting up. GRIM
snncd from the forehead to tho throat, her eyes 80
bright that l almost drew buck at their glances.
From that night a raging fever drunk up. her lie.
and what think you was the i%ncessant plant that
ponrcd Intn my a~ngnished heart? oh, kiss me,
mamma; do kiss me; ] can't go to sleep! You'll kiss
your little Ellen, nmmma, won't yoni | can't 60 to
sleep. l won't be naughty II you'll only kiss mr.
Oh, kiss me. dear mam,na; | can't 60 to sleep!'
Holy little angel, she did 20 t" sleep one gray morn.
Ing, and she never woke ngain-nevtr! Her hand
VIII. Locked In mine. and all my veins grow Icy with
ils gradual chill. Family the light fooled out OF her
beautiful eyes: whittier and whittier grew thu trcmulons
ms, She never knew me; but with her last breath
she whispered: I'LL BE- good, mamma, 1t only you'll
kiss mel
Kiss her! Col know, how passionate, but nnavail-
inY, were my kisses upon her checks aud lips after
! that fatal night. God knows how wild were my trny.
ers that she might know, u bnt only once, that ! Kiss
cd her. G,al knows how | would have yielded up my
| very life could / have asked forgiveness Of that sweet
child.
Well, grief Is MI unavalling nowl She lies in her
! little tomb; there Is y marble urn Of her heal and q
rose bush ut her feet; there grow sweet summer How
rrs; there waves the gentle grass; there birds sing
their mathis and v~csIers; there the blue SKY smiles
down to-day, and there lies buried the freshness VI
INV heart