Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-08-04
THE ORPHANS.

"Marian, dear, how is the morning:
fair or cloudy ?" inquired Ethel Ray,
turning on the invalid couch, where she
lay during the day as well as at night.
Ozark and cloudy" she replied, the
cold drcariness Of the new day striking
chill to her sensitive, vily-burdcned
heart. A tired, hopeless look swept over
her delicate, noble face, leaving slight
droop at the corners of her mouth, a
shadow in her eyes. Ethel saw the ex-
preston, and for moment her own
grew less cheerful and bright.
"Nevcr mind; there will be rift in
the clouds by and by" she said with re-
newcd hope.
~ am glad you have such faith, pct"
said Marian, still looking out on the
street.
A poor bcggar crcpt fccbly along, his
rags huttcring in the bitter wind; and in
pity for lot saddcr than her own, tho
girl lost some of her discomfort. She
turned from the window with q brighter
expression, and put on her hat and cloak
to start out on that weary round of mu-
sic lessons, which were their support.
81 am sorry to leave you, Ethel and
it will be late before l can get through"
60 Do not fret about me, Marian, Mrs.
O'Mallcy will come in and give me my
lunch, and a fresh glass of water, and l
have this beautiful lace to mend for Miss
Constantine, and that magazine you
brought me yesterday to read. Oh, [
shall be fully occupied until your re-
turn"
Well, well, it is comforting to have so
brave and busy little sister at home. |
think Of it often when | am out, and it
gives me courage" said Marian, bending
over the couch with tender, misty eyes.
The crippled girl clasped the slender
hand caressing her hair, and drew it
down against her check.
Gam | a help to you, Marian7 Oh, that
thought makes me happy! lie here
such helpless, useless creature; some
times l have feared that l was only a
burden to YOU"
'Ncvcr think Of that again, dear one
never. If it were not for you-'
She broke off, and STOPPING kissed the
sweet pale face resting on the pillow;
but when she would have moved away,
Ethel held her moment longer.
Marian, daring do not lose your
faith and hope. There will be clear sun.
shine after while, and all these dark
clouds will vanish"
81 will try to think So" she replied,
with q smilc-a smile that vanished the
moment she left her sisters presence, and
memory began to bring up one by one
the events of the two years just passed.
The girls had been left orphans at an
early age, but with property sufficient to
supply all they could ever nee |, not only
of necessities, but even luxurics. Their
guardian controlled and managed the
money, and they Lived in his house,
under the care of his good-hcaytcd
maiden sister, Ehcl had always been
lame and delicate, but Marian went out
into the world, seeing and enjoying its
beauties and pleasures.
Walking swiftly along to give her first
music lesson, she drew sharp breath of
anguish, as memory too faithfully recalled
all the glory and happiness of a tour in
Italy with party of friends, just before
the downfall Of fortune. At the very
outset they met Mark Turner, handsome,
intelligent and, to the young girl, very
king among men. He joined the party,
and singled her out as the object of his
attentions. The routes they travelled he
had been over bcfor c, and he could point
out all that was beautiful and interesting.
1t was golden season, and, the girls
heart surrendered in spite of womanly
pride and reluctance. But she had
no cause to feel shame, or to believe her
love unsought for.
One mellow, moonlit night, in an old
Neapolitan garden, he stretched out his
hand to her with sudden, passionate
words of love and so eloquently did he
plead for the sweet gift Of her future life
that she could not withhold the promise
to be his wife.
"You shall never regret it ! You
shall be happyl' he cried with lovers
confidence.
81 am happy nowl" she whispered,
flushed and shy, but radiant.
They wandered along among the flow
ers, feeling that heaven lay about them !;
but the next morning the girl received