Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-04-06
AN EASTER VISION.
Florence 7. boss.

Written for Gazette and journal.
Cyril felt very sad. No comfort could
his mournful heart find in the joyful
notes pealing from the swayiDg church
| towers; the glad salutations and bright
faces Of his friends only made his solil
tary lot more unconsoiable. What If
| Christ be risen, indeed? And Cecil, his
| twin brother and beloved companion,
lying in the gray church-yard sealed in
| from all the gay sounds and fresh odors
OF early spring by great Oppressive clods
of cold earth All, last Easter had
been so different. Then Cecil had
pushed the inyalid's chair, for poor
Cyril was q cripple, well up the church
aisle, So that the crowned heads Of the
scented lilies, and the lovely rows Of
white tulips in their messy beds could
feast his senses. And, when the choir
had come chanting their teryent process.
sional, it had been Cecils clear voice
that first caught the listeners ear, and
filed his childish heart with brotherly
pride and affection,
But now, Oh now, he could not 20 to
| church, everything familiar and in its
| place, to that one dear form alone,
absent.
He leaned his head YEARLY on his
delicate palm and looked ont at the
surging crowds Of dcvout worshipers
fastening % pay their deyo!rs at their
respective shr,neS. Another minute and
Joe Langford his cGummiest acquain.
lance halted under the window and
called, "Whht! not goin. TO midday
service? That's too bad but any how,
/ you must come out this afternoon to the
children's cYensong. I'm to lead the
I procession ana carry the Agnus Del
banner" biting his lips too lite, with
yeNauua remembering the boy that last
1 year had been triumphant herald,
bearing his white and gold emblem
aloft. DO say you'll come, ana I'll be
{ glad 10 fetch You, mind iii call at $50
| sharp, and Joe hurried Away, making
1 valiant strides against lost tiAl..
The afternoon sun, casting mosaics
4 upon roof, floor, pew and occupant,
/ lighted upthc FalcfIcc Of Our little friend
Z With its warnest radiance, as he sat in
I his accustomed place, waiting the en-
I trance ot the surpliCed hosts carOlnI
I lays Of jnbilation. Bat something de-
| tanned them, the hitch was tedious
CyriPs head aehed, his cyeliis dropped
| and soft slumHer claimed him for its
4 own. lie stirred once or twice uneasily
| IN his sleep. An, here they come But
| instead Of Boosting doc, behold his
! brother Cecil, his fair curls haloea
round his head, still leads the throng.
Oh, i9w loud how clear and sweet .
how eXultingly that dear voice rings
out above all the others, soaring and
lifting, until it filled the vaulted roof
and returned to the hearers hearts like
a dove Of peace.
What strange sight is this tiltcring
through Cyrils closed eyelids. The
| golden pipes nf the saHor0us organ no
longer vertical, but resolved into shin
ing flights OF stairs, upon which the
| heavenly singer separated from his com
/ pan!ons, is mounting upward, No voice
is heard save that Of the boy chOrister,
as book in hand, he treads the tessela,ed
steps toward the glorious ether, whittier
his angelic gaze is turned. And now,
alone, yet surrounded with an intangible
sense Of companionship he stands before
a glistening throne, the brightness Of
Of which paralyzes the sleeper sight,
but dims not the steadfast gaze Of the
jubilant singer, as, his flight completed,
MS feet paused, and he finished his
Te Dcum in the presence Of God.
A lovely smile lay on Cyril's lips, and
his yeatitic dream was broken by a
tender touch.
The kind bishop, passing in the pro.
cessionalt had laid lis hand in benedic-
ton, upon the cripple's head,