Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-03-30
A BELATED SOUL.

1t was twilight The wind howled,
the snow fell fast, and little MARITIME
lay dying.
"Alas!' wept the mother, will the
cure never come? Thou hast been good
child, and must thy unblessed soul wan
der without the gates of paradise? All,
can bear it no longer!" And she ran
out into the night to find the laggard
priest.
MARITIME shivered. She feared to dio
alone. But suddenly q tender voice
breathed her name
MARITIME, knowest thou the good God
confesses, through his angels, the souls
of children?
Tell me thy sins. ?"
The girl raised her eyes and beheld {.
dim white form with folded wings and
a bowed head rippled over with golden
curls. And strength came to her to
speak. She confessed her poor little
faults bravely and bowed her head for
absolution.
"Wait!" said the angel. $50 thou
hast stolen a rose colored kerchief from
thy friend Babette?"
"Forgiver' murmured MARITIME
"What hast thou done with this ker-
chief?"
81 have it here, beneath my pillow,
monsignor.
But why hast thou not returned it?"
Twill become me we'll on my
deathbed." sighed the little MARITIME.
"Fiel Vain onel" cried the angel Sc
verely. II SEQ well thou dost not repent
truly of this fault and must do pen
ance ere grant thee absolution.
Take this kerchief and restore it to
Babetter'
But" exclaimed MARITIME, stupefied,
''if my mother return with the cure,
to seek me on my deathbed?"
Teach not thy betters. will as
sumo thy shape. But mark the hour!
st. Peter has orders to admit thee at
dawn. Beware Of being late, for l can
not assume thy SOULS shape and seek
entrance for thee to paradise. Neither
can claim my own place there until
give account of thee. might be doom
ed to wander here on earth, or, in fact, I"
he added impatiently, mo one can say
what complications might arise"
~ will hastenP' cried MARITIME,
springing from the bed. Dressing with
haste, she wrapped herself in her warm
cloak and ran joyously from the house.
The snow ceased falling; the wind died
among the trees; the stars came out and
twinkled merrily. Then the moon rose,
dimming the light of the stars, turning
the icicles to diamonds and the frozen
ground to glass. And MARITIME ran,
danced. skipped and sang!
How beautiful was life and youth and
health! Her limbs were as strong, her
blood rs warm, as before the fever laid
its wasting hand upon her.
Alasl IL is hard to die-at l6l
1T cannot be more than o'clock, I"
she thought, land l have until day
break" But she could not stay her
dancing feet, and soon the lights of the
village glinmered softly through tho
trees. There to the right lay the home
Of Babettel An instant more, and she
stoou upon tne thresnOiu.
Martinez Dear Martinez chorus
Of gay voices greeted her. MARITIME,
we heard that you were i'll and dying!"
MARITIME shuddered. "And So indeed
am, " she thought sadly.
Come with us. MARITIME. " cried Ba
bette Good NJ. Champagnel has offer.
eel rs his barn for n dance. for it is the
fete Of our little Lueienne
''Comel
Surely thou art well enough to
dancer'
'Nayr' exclaimed MARITIME. thrusting
the kerchief into Babette's hand. II
have come 90 restore this. for indeed
have not long 10 live. only the short
nightr'
A burst of laughter interrupted her.
Thou art mad. little onel'' cried tall
Pierre. the handsomest Lad In the vii.
lage. Thy checks are a. bright as the
kerehiefl But since thou hast but this
night 20 live dance II through with me. A"
Surely there Is no harm In that, 4"
thought MARITIME. IL can still be home
before the dawn"
Once the dance had begun she for.
got her doubts and everything elss.
for she had q light foot, this little Mar.
tiBei And the sky was already gray IN
the east when there came a sound q
horses boofs and laughing voice, aud
the barn doors were flung wide open.
and q band of gentlemen, richly dres..
ed. APPEARED before the astonishosi peas.
ants
Your pstRoo, good peopler' erie
one 81 the gvntlensen, "desires 10 lui'.
Ca your ussrrymakingi Aud Martiuc
saw In their midst . tall fguro. in a
eloak % white velvet. and with shining.
golden eurlA.
The angelF' she murmurssl, trssa.
bling