The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-17

a leather-covered book, which lies upon
a small work table, close at hand, and
reads in a pleasant voice. chapter
from Dicks Theology, upon the doctrine
of THE Perseverance of the Saints"
The blind lady Is restless as she listens;
once she opens her lips TO- speak, put
checks herself; perhaps vision Of the
] child in the lonely sunny garden-JoyOuS
only because she IS child-restrains her.
/ Yet after a while, she speaks suddenly.
Yes, call her In, She might be listen
ing TO this can her in"
Il fear she will scarcely understand
/ It," the younger woman protests, gently.
call her. Jane West! can her The
Spirit can touch even a child ) heart; even
though IL is black with the sins of her
fOrefathers or mothers
SO Anne comes in, smiling; and sits
upon a fOotstool at her grandmother $ feet
and Jane Vests pleasant voice reads on.
Anne plays a little game with her fingers;
the middle finger Of her left hand Is the
mother Of q family; the foretnger, her
eldest son. he Is a carpenter Anne says;
the finger on the mother s other side is
the, young lady daughter who wishes she
could wear shining ring, like Mrs.
Vests. The little finger is the little girl
six years old; Anne Is ten-but she re-
members what IL was to be six, and
young. The small, square, stubborn thumb
is the second son; his name is jim. Anne
Is very fond Of this game she always
plays IL at Xorship, and when Jane West
reads from the leather-cOvered book
When the reader stops to turn over a
page which clings dogeared to the page
that follows. the blind old lady puts
tremuiOus hand on Annes smooth head.
Are you listening. Anne?'
yes, grandmother"
Listen attentivey, my child"
Eyes. grandmother"
And Jane West reads on. The lines OF
sunshine from between the bowed shut
ters slant into the room, and Anne moves
her hand across one glittering streak, and
out again, cutting IL, she SAYS, into yards
of cloth OF gold for her finger family.
Jane West reads about the glory OF God.
Anne follows lac pattern OF the wall
paper which repeats and repeats a trou-
badOur. singing under the walls of
green castle, empowered in pale green
trees, that stand beside green lake,
wherein sit three white swans. motonless.
Anne thinks that she would like 10 live
in the castle: she would open one Of the
latticed windows IN the tower, and ask
this pretty gentleman with the lite
cloak hanging on one shoulder. and has
brave sword swinging from his belt, 10
come up and see her. Jane West closes
her book gently.
eve have finished the chapter madam"
Eyes yes 1 thank you my dear. Anne,
l hope you were attentive?'
Eyes. grandmother.
Reflect upon it. Anne"
Yes, grandmother
Anne sits very still on the cricket 10
reflect Jane West takes up piece Of
delicate sewing; the blind woman fallS
asleep once more. Jane Vests needle
flashes in and out. and in again; Anne
plays the finger game all over. She would
Ike to ask a question. but her teacher,
smiling shakes her head, and points 10
the sleeper SO Anne watches the after
noon light lift and lift on the opposite
wall. she hears the hoarse voice Of the
street change. and fall. as the day fades
and the room grows dusk. and stlll her
grandmother sleeps. Jane West moves
nearer 10 the window that she may see
her work Then Anne says whispering,
and smiling-Anne smiles very much, al
ways-"Mrs. West. did my mamma have
a pretty ring like yours?"
mo, Anne"
BY and by the room is quite dark; Anne
leans her little rosy face on her grand
mothers knee she wishes that the prick
~ black dress did not scratch her cheek
If she could live In the green castle
where the gentleman sings outside, she
would wear a silk dress. OH so soft so
smooth to touchl And in the moonlight
she would lean out Of the window, and
talk TO the gentleman. and he woul1 sing
and sing She Is half asleep, but she
smiles, and she decides that the next
morning after the walk about the garden
Is over and the lessons are finished. and
she is alone again In the sunshine, she
win play that she lives In a castle. and
has q gold ring. ana a lover TO sing TO
her; and all the while. the petals Of the
plum trees VIII drift down like fragrant
snow and the patches OF sunshine on
the fiagstones viii come and go. and
oApoA aud 20 . 49,. D., .-..-.-----..