The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-04-24

led in the morning light, and the plant
remained on the cornice ledge. Yes, it
had persisted during the night. Already
the leaves were shriveled and blackened,
the spray of blossoms dropped wan and
ghostly in the dawn, retaining the rose
tints of a SHE'LL As Agnes looked at it,
the early sunshine, which smote the spark
ling colors from the glass dome, like the
prism of crystal, also touched the dead
flowers with warm, golden rays. Thus the
flower soul might be absorbed in sunshine
and waited on, she thought
Suddenly the artist put her hand to her
forehead, as if preoccupied with thought,
her eyes dilated, and 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. Returning, 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 to work, and as she 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 luxuriously in
slippers before the fire, he was surprised by
the hasty entrance of Agnes. Her face
was animated, and she held sheet of pa
paper in her hand.
"Humphrey, 1 have decided to compete
for the prize of the Easter card, . she said,
quietly. "Tell me if you like my design. !"
Husband and wife hastened to inspect
the proffered sketch. They saw an uproot-
ed plant caught on stone parapet, the
blossoms still tinged with rose even in
death. Above slanted shower of golden
sunbeams, and on this luminous pathway
were inscribed the words:
Lam the Resurrection
And the Life
"Surely you have never done any work
like this, dear" said sister Anne, kissing
the artist affectionately 81 know you con-
slider me no 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 hand?"
II burned all that rubbish when began
life seriously" replied Agnes, with curl
ing lip "Flower painting is all very well
for school girls.
Humphrey continued to study the design.
attentively. 81 suppose the uprooted plant
signifies the human body after death, and
the sunshine, Christ in resurrection. The
flower will bloom again, )" he said slowly.
"Yes,' replied Agnes. Then she added
in mgsipg tone, unmindful that her COM
panions would not understand her words;
at is the sole commemoration of the poor
plant cast out in the cold. Nobody else
missed it The conservatory is so full"
you'll win the prize" affirmed sister
Anne, the practical.
:sIf | do, | shall buy baby new cap
and muff," said Agnes merrily.
A month later the little clerk brought
home a letter. II was tempted to open it,
because it bears the stamp of Lang d Co.,
he said
Agnes took the missive; her fingers
trembled, and the color rushed to her
cheeks. accepted" she said, after a
pause.
awe 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 little
town of the far west, noted for the purity
of dry atmosphere.
The young wife, May Hartwell, put aside
the book she had heen 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 developed 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 pre-
ferred the sofa where he rested while max
ing 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 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
marriage in order to ia he care of him?
She left her seat and went out noiselessly.
1t was the hour when letters were distrib-
uted in the hotel; at the stairway she paused
and looked downinto the lower hall. Half
an hour earlier the doctor 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 ply
sieian, 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
she hesitated about descending the stair
case 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 stairs?" inquired the resident
doctor, in low tone.
"Quick consumption, as you say. He
may last fortnight, and no may be gone
tomorrow, was the grave response.
May drew back, shocked and grieyedi
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 re
sumed her seat. Then, with her chin rest
ing her hand, she suffered thought to beaI
her back to her distant home. The clock
struck eleven. Decidedly her invalid
should be in bed, but she was reluctant tc
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. "Harryl where are you, dear?" she
said, bewildered by sleep and fright
The lamp was burning low; the clock
struck one; and the luminous whiteness Of
the outside world, where all nature was
yelled in snow, invaded the silent room
May approached the sofa. Harry still
slept. His face was pale and his features
appeared sharper, pinched, as if the cold Of
the night had chilled them. Midnight