The National tribune., 1892-01-07
/ v. +.

How quiet il was in the rooml The chimes
ceased. The gale grew weary, the snow no
longer beat against the panes Quiet and dark.
Yet once and again a tiny flame would creep
timorousy from a crevice in the coal as II fear
ing, yet challenging the gloom, would gain
strength and courage from progress, until
crack il would dash all restraint apart and
burst into r great flash of light. And then the
portrait over the mantel would seem 10 gain
life, the deep violet eyes would beam with ten
derness, the lips nodded by kisses of purity,
would smile with pity upon the slumbering
man.
Once and again Mr.. Eubbins felt this benef-
cent influence; for il seemed as if voice, long
silent, whose accents had once been delight TO
his cars, thrilled him with these words:
1" Look and learn that the past gives COM
pensatiOn for the future"
Then, once aud again, he gazed into the
heart Of the Goals.
Through quaint old garden. whose paths
were so familiar, so fraught with cherished
rec0llections. he saw a maiden strOlling one
whom the sun loved TO kiss, she was so beauti-
ful one whom the flowers sought TO caress. she
was SO innocent. BY her side, with one hand
lightly resting about her neck, young man
walked who looked like Tom, but who he knew
TO be himself And he heard this young man
say:
"Oh, my love, dread old age. When those
evil days come i shall be bent and decrepit and
ugly. Can you care for me then as you now
dOl Or perhaps you may be dead and alone.
How can bear the dark close Of life without
your presence 10 sustain mep"
Then he heard the maiden reply in those
tones that had addressed him from the por-
trait:
"Ah, my dear. have no misgivingg Love is
eternal, but, like the year, il hath its seGdtime
aud harvest. The more we love each other
now, the tenderer will be our affection then.
Even If / should leave you, you would have
my memory Believe me- those days cannot
be evil while the light Of love fingers"
The Goals smoldered, the gloom deepened. A
heavier sleep came upon Mr. Aubbius.
Quiet and darkness again, and then the little
fame burst into life and light. Once more Mr..
Nubbins gazed into the heart OF the fire.
Ii was a room hallowed by the hoiest asso-
Citations that he recognized. Propped upon
pillows be saw that same dear form; yet about
the lips there clung an expression Of iucfTabe
tenderness which that maiden had never
known. Claspcd 10 her bosOm-ah SO assidu-
ously sheltered was a tiny object He saw
himself still in the first flush OF manhood, yet
weighted by an air Of responsibility that Tom
had never borne, standing anxiousy by the
bedside.
see!" that thrilling voice, feeble, yet joy
Gus, exclaimed; +" see our first born, our son
All! ! could die Of joy, but ] must live for you,
FOR him His name shall he Thomas, after you,
my dear aud when he is grown you will re-
new your youth in him, and in his happiness
find again its joys"
Oace more the quiet and the darkness; once
more the bursting spark.
Mr.. Nubbins m0ancd as he recalled the scene
now depicted on the hearth. All was agony
ever more poignant than he then endured
And yet, had he forgotten2 10 was the same
room, the same dear form, but, oh how wasted,
how changed There by her side lie himself
knelt worn by anxiety, buGeted by despair,
hiding his grief IN her lap.
" "Good-by, dearest lovel" the thrilling tones
so feebly resounded. We have lived, we have
loved Blessed DO the name Of the Lord.
Never despair; ! shall watch over you aud be
ever near yon. BE good 10 our boy, he binds
you TO me. Death is but passing dream, and
the waking is our happiness. So be patient
and remember