Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-04-30
II am the RESURRECTION
And the Life"

Wills hhAAAO RNohVuJ WVtC AAAOS ~ eAC
words:
lam the Resurrection
And the Life"
"Surely you nave never done any work
like this, dear" said sister Anne, kissing the
artist ~affectionately. II know you consider
me nc judge of art, but it reminds me of the
studies you used to make when at home. Do
you remember gathering the leaves and wild
flowers in the hedges, and painting them just
as you held them in your left handg
II burned all that rubbish when I began
life seriously" replied Agnes, with a curling
lip. GLOVER painting is all very well for
school girls"
Humphrey continued to study the design
attentively. Il suppose the uprooted plant
signifies the human body after death, and the
sunshine, Christ in resurrection. The flower
will bloom again" he said slowly.
EYES," replied Agnes. Then she added in
a musing tone, unmindful that her compan-
ions would not understand her words; ut is
the sole commemoration of the poor plant
cast out in the cold. Nobody else missed i'll
The conservatory is so full"
you'll win the prize" affirmed sister
Anne, the practical.
"If l do, l shall buy baby a new cap and
muff, " said Agnes merrily.
A month later the little clerk brought home
a letter. II wa tempted to open it, because
it bears the stamp Of Lang g. Co., " he said.
Agnes took the missive; her fingers trem-
bled, and the color rushed to her cheeks.
Accepted, " she said, after a pause.
"We were sure of it." responded sister
Anne and Humphrey in unison.
On Easter eve the snow of a late and severe
winter still fingered about a little town of the
far west, noted for the purity of a dry at
mosphere.
The young wife, May Hartwell, put aside
the book she had been reading aloud, for her
listener had fallen asleep. Her fair face was
unclouded by anxiety or trouble. She smiled
as she looked at her husband. She had de-
veloped the qualities of good wife and nurse,
thus tested by experience, although her
patient gave her little trouble, except to
amuse him. Suffering had not marred him;
no painful cough racked his frame. He was
fatigued, ~listless, and preferred the sofa where
he rested while making plans for the future.
Now he slept, with the light touching his
graceful head, the rich colors of his dressing
gown, and the gray fur of the rug spread
over him. Certainly he was a trife delicate,
and it was wise to cure symptoms Of illness
in time. Had she not added her solicitations
to those of his family by fastening her mar
riage in order to take care Of himl
She left her seat and went out noiselssly. It
was the hour when letters were distributed
in the hotel; at the stairway she paused and
looked down into the lower hall. Half an
hour earlier the doctor-a cheerful presence
in the lives of the two young strangers-had
called, bringing with him a friend, quite by
accident, as he happened to be in town. This
friend, an older physician, had conversed
chiefly with May, and about the east She
now perceived the latter standing beside the
great stove in the hall, warming his hands,
and while shs h~esitated about descending the
staircase in consequence, he was joined by
the other physician. The illness Of the land
lords baby explained their detention In the
house.
"Well, what do you think Of the young
man above stairsp inquired the resident doc
tor, in a low tone.
Quick consumption, as you say. He may
last a fortnight, and he may be gone to-
morrow" was the grave response.
May drew back, shocked and grieved, and
returned to her rooms. Who was the young
man above stairs? She did not know. To-
morrow she would ask the kind doctor about
him. Perhaps be was poor and alone. Harry
still slept, and she resumed her seat. Then,
with her chin resting in her hand, shesufFered
thought to bear her back to her distant home.
The clock struck eleven. Decidedly her in
valid should be in bed, but she was reluctant
to disturb his refreshing slumber. Again she
rested her dimpled chin in her palm; her own
eyelids closed.
A sensation of cold and fear awakened her.
Harry where are you, dearl' she said, be-
wildered by sleep and fright. .
The lamp was burning low; the clock struck
one; and the luminous whiteness of the out
side world, where all nature was yelled in
snow, invaded the silent room. Nav an
preached the sofa. Harry still slept. His
face was pale and his features appeared
sharper, pinched, as If the cold Of the niQht
bad chilled them. Midnight had sounded
and 1t was already Easter day. May knelt