Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-08

terror settled like dark cloud upon nv
failing senses. heard the rustling of
paper; tbs faint subtle perfume of dead
flowers that had nestled among the closely
bound sheets that my lovers hand had
traced.
Then deep drawn breath-a step-the
sudden sharp cracking of flames. and |
opened my eyes, and with some strange
sense of newborn strength raised mvself
on the pillow.
My letters lay on the burning logs,
flaming and curling into tongues of harm
less fire. The casket lay on the bed
empty
For a moment there was silence-deep.
throbbing, wondering silence, and my head
fell on that faithful breast and tears
gushed in flood of penitence and remorse
from my ewes.
ooh" l cried, "you should not have
done that | WANTED you to know
my folly, my sin, my base ingratitude."
My wife" he said tenderly, "I know
all. Do you think have been blind? Do
you think l did not know that Leon To-
nesca loved you? Those letters were from
him. Why should l read them? So much
faith have in you that | know you strug-
gled with temptation; you did not weakly
yield. | know how you have suffered.
and my heart bled for you Could | have
given You freedom | would have done so.
but it would not have meant happiness
for this man is utterly unworthy Of your
love, and you would soon have discovered
Tiny dear one, do not weep. Is life not
full of such errors as these? Are we fit
Judges of each others sins, since we know
not the tempting that might vanquish our
own strength and dash our boasted self
sufficiency to dust"
And you-forgive? ?" l cried brokenly-
You forgivew
AS God judges and hears me, and as
hope for His forgiveness myself" he said
solemnly; and he bent and kissed the tears
from my eyes.
Then great peace and sweetness stole
over me. A food of light seemed to sweep
over my numbed and dazzled senses. Nv
heart grew at rest. A feeling of oyerpow-
ering love to that infinite and glorious es
sence that is in itself love burst over my
soul and awoke it to Worship and Faith.
| bowed myself in shame and humility be-
fore that Being had so long forgotten.
seemed to remember by one wave of re-
morseful thought all the benefits | had re-
eeived and enjoyed, and for which | had
been so long ungrateful.
Health-youth-beauty-life, and all its
blessings-the power to enjoy-the mental
force to appreciate art and nature-the
capabilities for doing good to others;
these and thousand other such memories
crowded back to me, and even as | thought
OF them and wept over wasted opportun1-
ties-that cool, soft hand touched once
again NV brow, and the beautiful remem-
bered voice sounded in its low and thrill
ing accents:
Take the gift thou has so nearly for
feited-take back the powers that life and
health bestow-giye peace and content to
the noble heart that loves you, and let
that love make you pitiful and humble
henceforth. You have faced the ordeal of
one death, take heed that its second COM
ing find you ready, for not to many is it
given to return as you have returned, and
inasmuch as Gods mercy is great, SO also
is the responsibility that it grants to human
life"
X X X
She breathes. she livesl she will re-
cover. Oh, God of Mercy, 1 thank Thee
with all my soul !"
" 1t is almost a miracle; but certainly
there is a change for the better Her
pulse is regular; the color has come back
to her face and lips. / Yes; with
care, there is no doubt but that she will re-
cover"
| looked up. The same room, the same
bed. On one side stood my husband, on
the other, the grave-faced physician who
had pronounced my doom. My eyes sought
the clock. The two hours had passed
and there at the foot of the bed, on the
silken coverlet, lay-an empty casket.-
Rita IN London Society.