Year: 1863

hand


Yes, daughter, they are-purity itself
cannot be more pure than these delicate
buds; ever seek to keep your soul as
pure and spotless.'


20 my dear child ? continued the fee
ble woman, i feel that my earthly pll-
grimage is drawing speedily to a close.
| cannot remain with you but short
time, perhaps only few hours, but in
spirit | shall often be with you-my in
huence will still be around you, and as
you think Of me near to you, watching
oyer you with increased affection from
my spiritual home, you will not cease to
remember the counsel and advice have
given you from time to time. Never let
the siren voice of the tempter lure you
from the path Of duty,-always be firm
and heroic in the cause of Right and
Justice


Dear Mother said the weeping Lou'
ise, as she knelt by her side, i will never
forget your admonilons, and the holy in
structions you have ever striven to i'm
plant in my mind, and / will always
think of you as my guardian angel. But
you have already conversed too long
you are very weary and exhausted, will
you not lie down and rest|


Not yet replied the invalid, for the
wasted taper of my mortal life burns
low, and before it goes out in the dream
less sleep of death, l would exact from
you one solemn promise you will
never leave Clarence, till be has reached
the age Of manhood to buffet alone the
storms Of life. You will always watch
over him with the same care and solici-
tude / should if it were Gods viii for
me to remain with you. You and CIar-
ence will have the house and land free
from all membranes, and you well
know it was the fond desire of your
father s heart, as it is also mine, that his
son should have the benefit Of Cole
gate education, and for that purpose a
sufficient sum ofmoney has already been
laid aside, which is on deposit in the
bauk. This you will never appropriate
to any other use, unless sickness or some
great calamity should overtake you.
Now my daughter can you promise me
in this my dying hour, TO fulfill as far as
possible these my last requests !?


For several moments after Mrs. Graf
ton had ceased speaking, Lo sound broke
the stiffness, save the heavy sobs of the
sorrowing girl, then raising her head, her
face now calm, and free from all emo,
ton, she said, Mother, as Heaven is my
witness, promise to obey your wishes.
My home shall be the home of Clarence,
so long as he may choose to share it with
me. No worldly consideration of cir
cumstance or condition shall induce me
to leave or forsake him, while he may
need my aid, my counsel and advice


God bless you, my child replied Mrs.
Grafton, your words will be comfort
and support to me, even to the confines
of the grave


a few days passed away, and Louise
and Clarence were alone in the home of
their childhood, realizing deeply the bit
terness and loneliness Of orphanage.


1t was lovely picture, as they sat to-
gether in the deepening twilight, that
loving brother and sister, his head resting
fondly on the arm of Louise, while she
caressingly smoothed from his fair, broad
forehead the heavy masses of dark hair,
while ever and anon she impressed kiss
upon the handsome face upturned to
hers.


So absorbed were they in each others
society, and in weaving plans for the fu-
ture, they did not hear the sound of foot
steps, nor know that any one had entered
the cottage, till Edward Cameron stood
within the doorway.


No smile of pleasure lighted up his
countenance, as he thus stood, witness
of the devotion and affection existing be-
tween these two lonely orphans, but
frown gathered darkly on bis brow.


Selfshness and iealousness were the
two leading passions of his nature, and
he could not endure to see even Clar-
ence the recipient of those little offices Of
love and tokens of affection which he
unjustly claimed as all his own, and
never to be bestowed on another, though
that other were dear kindred or friend.


Louise had always striven to ignore
the existence of these baleful passions,
but of late they had betrayed themselves
too frequently for her to close her eyes
entirely to the unhappy influence they
exerted upon him; though always ready,
as woman ever is, to hide from others