Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-09-10

wrong Agatha. They We'd with each
other in the most affectionate atten-
ton to the invalid; and often as they
stood each side her couch, ministerlng
to her wants, she longed to make them
happy by releasing Malcolm from his
engagement to herself, and placing the
hand of Eudora in his own; but In
stinctive delicacy withheld her from
| intermeddling with the love affairs of
others.
Lady I.eaton, heart-broken by the
loss of her husband, and the approach
ing death of her daughter, observed
the growing and ill-concealed attach
ment between Malcolm and EudOra
with all a mothers bitter jealousy.
And struggled against as that attach
ment evidently was, she nevertheless
resented it as a grievous wrong to her
dying child.
Agatha, with the clairvoyance Of a
departing spirit, saw into the hearts
of all around her, and judged them in
Justice and mercy. One day while her
afflicted mother watched alone beside
her bed, she said to her
"Mamma, dear, wish to speak with
YOU about Malcolm and Eudora. l
know that you are displeased with
them. mamma; but it is without just
cause. They love each other; they
struggle against that love, but they
cannot conquer it. 1t is because they
were created for each other. Their
marriage is already made in heaven.
Nv marriage with Malcolm, mamma,
was designed only on earth as mat
ter of policy and convenience. NAL
colin and l loved each other only as
brother and sister; we never could
have loved in any other way even If
I had lived to become his wife. But
he and Eudora love one another as
two who are destined for time and
eternity to blend into one. Forgive
them, mamma; forgive and be kind to
them for my sake"
"But you, Agatha!-my child!-I can
think only of you" sohbed the lady.
"Dear mamma, know that all your
ambition has been for your Agatha's
good, and happiness, and advance
ment. But consider, il your widest
dreams for your child had been full
filled, and even more tran that, if
you could have made her a kings
bride, placed upon her brow a queens
crown, gathered around her all the
wealth, splendor, and glory of this
world-could you have rendered her as
happy, as blessed, and as exalted as
she is now by the free mercy of Cod
now, when she is departing for that
land, the joys Of which eye hath not
seen. ear heard, or imagination con
ceived,' and where she shall wait for
you in perfect bliss and perfect safety
till you come? Mamma, your daughter
is the bride CT Heaven. and that is
better than being the wife of the no
blest man OF the greatest monarch on
this earth.'
The countenance of the young saint
was glorious in its holy enthusiasm,
and the human JEALOUSY of her mother
was dispellad before its heavenly light.
''Yo;i are better than am: my child,
my child, you are better than l am;
you are saint prepared for Heaven
exclaimed Lady Leatcn, fervently.
Mamma, grant Agatha one petition.
She wants to see them happy before
she gees. They are so conscientious
and SO wretched, mamma: they are
afraid to speak to each other, or to
look at each other. lest they should
wound or wrong me. It maks1tIsne
miserable to see them SO, because l
love them both, mamma, and know
that they love me, and for my sake
they struggle bravely with their pas
sion for each other. Let me speak
to Malcolm, mamma; let me tell him
that l loved him only as dear broth
er; let Inc release him from his engage
mcnt to me, and let me place Eudora's