The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-05-05
Grief That Ennobles.


A woman, dressed in deepest
mourning, stopped suddenly outside
a house from which came strains Of
music mingled with the happy laugh
ter Of children.
"Can it be possible" she said to
herself, that Mrs. Weston is giving
a children's party when her little girl
has not been in her grave a month?
1t is shocking! How can M be so
unfeeling!"
To confirm her suspicious she
paused to listen a moment longer,
and, if possible, to catch a glimpse of
what was going on inside. Then the
front door opened, and against the
bright background of light two fig
ures appeared. A mother, with her
little girl, was just coming away.
The peering black figure by the steps
instantly recognized the woman as
one Of her acquaintance.
20 Mrs. Murray" she began, in
some embarrassment, lis Mrs. Wes-
ton really giving a children's party
tonight, so soon after Nina's death?
Is it possible that she has so little
f~eeling?"
The street light cast its revealing
radiance on Mrs. Murray's tear
stained face. .
Don't say that" she answered,
gently. "You don't know her. I
only wish that you or I could ever
hope to attain to the height Of her
unselfshness or the depth Of her love
and faith"
II am still wearing Grape, and my
child died two years ago." the woman
in black replied, in a tone Of self-ap-
proval. us it really true that Mrs.
Weston is giving a party?"
Z. Eyes, it is true" Mrs. Murray an
nounced, with a defiant lift to her
chin. "It was Nina's birthday party.
The child had planned for it months
CO.. She had made little gifts for
all her friends, and was full Of the
wish to share her happiness with
others. $50.
Mrs. Weston was simply broken
hearted when Nina died. You know
it is. less than three years since she
lost her husband. But she has
prayed for strength and guidance,
and she feels that although she a
never again be happy herself, it is
still her" task to help keep things
bright and joyful for other people,"
but how can she bear to look at
other children enjoying themselves?
How can she bear to think Of what
people will say"
Her grief is not like that" Mrs.
Murray answered, gently. "She
doesn't pay any attention to what
people say, for she is not listening to
the tongues Of men, but to the voice
of God"
The door opened again, and a slen-
der black figure was silhouetted
against the light.
Edith" a gentle voice called. 20
Edith Murray! You were going away
without the little work-bag Nina
made for you! I know she wants
you to have it."
20 Mrs. Weston!" the child ex-
claimed, dropping her mothers hand.
How could I forget it," and Edith
ran up the steps to receive the out;
stretched gift.
For a moment the light shone on
the sad face, worn with weeping, yet
smiling, and the sight sent a pang OF
remorse, sharp as an arrow, into the
worldly, embittered heart of the
woman who had so cruelty misunder-
stood a fellow sufferer. Impulsively
she started forward out of the dark.
ness.
MRS. Weston" she said, abruptly,
II have presumed to criticise you.
Forgive me. I didn't understand.
When my child died I listened to the
tongues of mer, as Mrs. Murray says.
You heard the voice of God. That
is why I am more to be pitied than
you"
"We are both to be pitied." said
the heart-broken mother. But we
who understand sorrow can help 9TH
ers to find happiness that survives
loss and death.
Thank God, nothing can kill my
child's love for me or mine for her.
I have tried to express that love in
a way that I am afraid seemed to you
crude and heartless, but Nina knows,
and God understands"
The appealing face was illumin-
ated by a smile that seemed to shed
warmth as well as light. And as the
two women went their ways, each
felt that she had received a benedic-
tion.-Youth's Companion.