Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-04-22
New Series-Vol. %. No. 16

thought, her eyes dilated, and a smile
impaired a warm glow to her usually
pale face.
At breakfast she was silent, replying
vaguely to the conversation of her
brother-in-law. Afterward she went
out, and was absent two hours. Re
turning, she shut herself in the studio.
and spread about her recent purchases =
sheets of paper, new brushes and box
OF water colors. Then she began te
work, and as the worked a soft, grooming
song welled up to her lips unconsciously.
One Saturday evening, when the little
clerk had returned home at an early
hour and was warming his feet luxuri-
ously in slippers before the fire, he was
surprised by the hasty entrance of Ag+
mes. Her face was animated, and she
held a sheet OF paper in her hand.
Humphrey, l have decided to COM
pete for the plize of the Easter card.
she said. quietly. Tell me if you like
my design
Husband and wife fastened to inspect
the proffered sketch. They saw an
uprooted plant caught on a stone para
pet, the blossoms still tinged with rose
even in death. Above slanted shower
of golden sunbeams, and on this lumir
nous pathway were inscribed the words ::
81 am the Resurrection
| And the Life
Surely you have never done any work
like this, dear said sister Anne, kissing
the artist affectionately. Il know you
consider me no judge of art. but it re-
minds 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 hand?"
4 burned all the rubbish when be-
gan life seriously replied Agnes, with
curling lip. Flower painting is all very
well for school girls.
Humphrey continued to study the de-
sign attentively. L suppose the uproot-
ed plant signifies the human body after
death, and the sunshine. Christ in resur-
rection. The flower will bloom again.
he said slowly.
Yes replied Agnes. Then she added
in musing tone, unmindful that her
companions would not understand her
words: 1t is the sole commemoration of
the poor plant cast out in the cold. No
BODY ELSE MISSED IT! The conservato-
ry is so full
You'll win the prize affirmed sister
Anne, the practical.
If do, shall buy baby a new cap
and muff,' said Agnes merrily.
A month later the little clerk brought
home letter. L was tempted to open
it, because it bears the stamp of Lang &
Co., he said.
Agnes took the missive; her fingers
trembled, and the color rushed to her
cheeks. Accepted she said, after
pause.
we were sure of it, responded sister
Anne and Humphrey in unison.
On Easter eve the snow of late and
severe winter still fingered about little
town of the far west, noted for the pu
rity of dry atmosphere.
The young wife, May Hartwell, put
aside the book she had been reading
aloud, for her listener had fallen asleep.
Her fair face was uncleuded by anxiety
or trouble. She smiled as she losked at
her husband. She had developed the
qualities of good wife and nurse, thus
tested by experience, although her pa"
tieRt gave her little trouble, except to
amuse him. Suffering had not marred
him; nc painful cough racked his frame.
He was fatigued, listless, and preferred
the sofa where be rested while making
plans for the future. Now be 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 tri1e delicate, and it
was wise to cure symptoms of illness in
time. Had she not added her solicita-
tions to those of his family by hasten
ing her marriage in order to take care
of him?
She left her seat and went out noise+
lessly. 1t 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 ear
lier the doctor-a cheerful presence in
the lives of the two young strangers
had called, bringing with him friend,
quite by accident, as he happened to be
in town. This friend. an older physi>
clan, had convcrsed 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 she hesitated about descending the
staircase in consequence, he was joined
by the other physician. The illness of
the landlords baby explained their de-
tentien in the house.
We'll, what do you think of the young
man above stains ? inquired the resident
doctor in a low tone.
Quick consumption, as you say. He
may last a fortnight, and be may be gone
tomorrow 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. Tomorrow she would ask
the kind doctor about him. Perhaps he,
was poor and alone. Harry still slept,
and she resumed her seat. Then, with
her CHA resting in her hand, she suffer-
ed thought to bear her back to her dis
tant home. The cleck struck eleven. De-