The Monitor., 1891-08-07

Cu oh' sieHuei Hbgei was tne IlDR you sad
just placed upon it. It shone Ike a star Of
love-
o. that dear little handi Ia those days,
you often carried it to your boyish lips
Why, it seemed just formed for caresses!
Perhaps your coultship was long one,
and you were obliged to labor day after
day, and month after month. in q distant
city. Then the little hand you loved pen
ned cheering, lengthy letters that you read
so often you almost committed them to
memory.
You may have those same letters still.
hidden away IN the garret. Aud perhaps
almost half century has slipped by since
you last opened them. Then do so to night.
and think once more of the dear young
fingers that fashioned those faded. tender
lines.
Hare you forgotten your wedding day?
1t came round at last, as all days will,
and the hand you loved was then iucased
in snowy glove. It was the envied hand
| of happy bride. But how it tremhled as
it lightly lay upon your arm-for all the
word like captured bird, And when
God s minister pronounced you one. you
inwaldly vowed that you would cherish
for all time the loving, wifeIy band which
he had given into your unworthy keeping.
Do sou remem Ter the happy weeks that
followed? Didn't Garth seem heaven? Just
take long backward look at that glad
some hour, when your honeymoon was in
its first blissful quarter YGur Young
| wife's hand soon found its way in tender
clasp about your neck. It's warm touch
seemed that of an angel. 1t fingered On
your check and brow. and nestled like
snow drop in your glossy, curling hair.
And it was a helpful little hand. 1t
fashioned a dainty home for your welld-
tired eyes. There alone could you find
perfect rest. II also lightened the many
little hardships attendant upon your early
poverty. It softened your sorrows, and
increased your joys. ten-fold
By and by, it teuderly placed in yours, a
much timer hand. But yoa still loved the
larger one best. 1t was Gods gift. The
other was but loves golden link.
Husband. " here is the hand you won, to-
day? Is it still clasped within your own?
Perhaps it has become toll Hardened, or
wriukled with age. Il may be brown and
upsightly. The ring you eagerly placed
upon it when white and beautiful, may
now be but slender thread Do your
witbered lips still sometimes press grateful
kisses upon that faithful. ministering hand?
Is your wife your sweetheart still9
But you may have been parted in carrier
life. Which was to blame? Perhaps, in a
moment Of anger yen flung from you for
ever the one hand you vowed to cherish
1t may be that you have not seen it for
wears
Does it ever return in dreams? Can you
still feel its tender touch upon your thin
gray hair? Does it never steal back into
your own empty palm. as of old9 Would
you like to clasp it again? Then do so,
before it is forever too late.
Bat you would not recognize it to day.
The ere that went out of your keeping
was still warm and shapely. The one she
would extend you now is that of a care
worn woman. II might be chill and nerve
less. and minus the ring you had given.
But take it back again jus. as it is. 1t
pride is the great wall between you.
Chamber over it, as brave man should.
But perhaps she VI HON you so loved has
long been lying asleep in some silent city.
Can you ever forget the awful day on
picture her patient face as it lay upon the
pillow. How her yearning eyes followed
you about the room, You felt there was
blessing in them Her weak hand was
folded in yours for hours, before the end
came. At the last. it pointed heavenward,
in mute ehtreaty, for you to meet her there.
Then, after all was over. You laid itacross
her quiet breast, and rushed from the Desc
late room. But late that night you rever-
entity stole back again. You fanoied size
was calling you, and you half expected to
see her thin v hite hand held out in loving
welcome Yet now, it was marble in your
grasp.
The bright ring upon it till shone like a
star of love. You did not see that dear
hand again uuti inst before her burial. 1t
lay at her side, like broken wing. You
pressed passionate kisses upon it.in token
of farewell. Perhaps she knew. Then
they softly bore her away from your
hearth and home.
To-day it all seems dreadful dream.
Deads Why, sometimes you fancy she
has never left you. She comes to your side
at twilight just as of ol !. Her faithful hand
trustingly creers into Your own. You for
get that it is mouldering away beneath a
collins heavy lid. Instead, it still seems
TO guide you along life's pathway. 1t will
beckon you at last to heaven.
Her children try to comfort yen, but you
turn from them. They cannot know that
you are dreamingly living over again the
| happy days OF the past. They cannot see
the dear hand you still hold in daily COM
munion. 1t closes your tired eyes at night
with the tender, old-time touch.
All, YES, the hand you won is yours for