The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-06

gether as long as we live, which hope will
be many years."
Her story had consumed more time than
we were aware Of The clock struck twelve
as we lay down to sleep. could only think
of the strange circumstances with which |
had been made acquainted. and tossed
restlessly about until nearly day, when l
fell into an unrefreshing slumber.
Our lives went on from day to day
myself continually watching for the
baby face. The memory of its beauty, and
its lmplOring gaze was ever before me.
saw 1T just one year after 1t first came to
me. l woke suddenly from sound sleep.
feeling as 1T a stream of cold water had
been dashed over me. | saw the mild,
brown eyes looking into mine with a world
of unspOken appeal in their solemn depths.
l attempted to call cousin Abbie, but !
could not waken her. and it slowly faded
away beneath its misty veil. / lay still
and awed until dawn, which was not far off.
/ told cousin Abbie. and we talked of it in
low whispers. l felt as if we lived in direct
communication with the world of spirits.
My childish gayety left me, and became
school, returning in two years, graduated
with hOnOrs. l found cousin Abbie much
the same. She looked older. of course, and
the white streaks on her temples were very
home once more, and was equally glad to
twice during my absence. After had been
at home nearly two months her health be-
gan to decline: in another month she
could not leave her bed. | soon found
my only dear one was drifting away
from me into the world of spirits.
She did not suffer; she quietly let
go her grasp on life little by
little each day, and soon the end was at
who were all the world to each other. She
told me all her life; its sOrrOwful little love
dream which has no place in these pages.
Our hearts were bound together, and mine
our coming separation. A starry autumn
night stood beside her death-bed: L held
her in my arms, her hand in mine until
Gods messenger from beyond the river
came and took her from me forever. How
unspeakably desOlate the days that fol-
lowed. Mr. AlstOn's teacher, Miss Stevens,
came to stay with me until / decided on.
my future course. About two weeks after
cousin Abbie's death / was lying in bed
fully awake, when felt that some one else
stinctively knew what would see on turn
ing round, so / waited TO gain my usual
courage which had fOrsaken me. Instantly
l felt light touch on my cheek like an ice
drop, and the dark eyes looked into mine. L
screamed aloud in an uncomfortable agony
of fear; my already oyerstrained nerves
could bear no more. "Oh, who and what
are your" cried. Miss Stevens came to me,
and by great effort succeeded in getting
seized with determination to search
my impatience could scarcely
wait for proper hour to begin. Eating a
hasty breakfast, / took Miss Stevens, Man
da, the Oyerseer and two men, and COM
menced in the garrett. Opening the narrow
door a task awaited us. Such q collection
of rubbish never beheld. The large, low
room was only partially lighted by one
used furniture of comparatively recent
date stood in confusion; 1T was carefully
searched and put aside. We worked our
rushed across the floor, frightened at our
presence. Spiders, bugs, cObwebs and dust,
broken chairs, ancient furniture, faded
carpets and cradles fOrlOrn and empty. The
tears filled my eyes as they rested on one
apart from the rest, SO dainty. / knew it
was the sleeping nest of the motherless
babe whose life closed sadly. Every
drawer. every dusty trunk was eagerly
searched-all were filled with odds and
ends beyond description, but nothing bear
ing ON the object of our search was found.
After dinner and an hour of rest we re-
turned To our occupation. felt weary and
disappointed, but none the less determined
TO continue. The ovcrseer came up saying,
''Well Miss. we are nearly through here.
only one more corner. and nothing is here
but a pile of musty sacking."
Move it," said l. 1t fell in fragments un-
der his touch. but after fold upon fold
had been taken away we saw an old
trunk, worm,eaten and mo9idy. My hasty
fingers pulled the rusty lock from its weak
hinge, and inside was small iron box. BY
this time my excitement had reached such
pitch was forced TO relinquish my task
to some one else. The men, with sharp
blows, soon broke the rusty clasps, and we