Year: 1871

u
Of her arrival, Lucy appeared to suffer
greatly, and those about her looked for
her release almost impatiently; but at
night she was evidently better, and for
the first time she slept TRANQUILITY till
morning. The matron, who was by her
bedside when she awoke, was startled
by the clear ard earnest gaze which met
her own but she smiled and babe the
invalid good morning. to reassure her,
when she exclaimed, where am /, and
who are yon do not know you.'


A wild surmise flashed across the mind
Of the matron the long lost reason Of
the waDderer had returned. Rut the
good woman replied, calmly and sooth-
ingly;


why, you are among your friends,
and you will know me presently


Then may be you know Edwin and
Ellen rejoined the invalid they have
come ? ., had such horrible dream!
| dreamed that they were marriel
Only think, Ellen mariied to Edwin
Strange 'tis that Tshould dream that


My poor Lucy said the Inatron, with
gush Of tears, that was no dream ;
TWAS all true.


'All true cried the invalid then Ed
win must be untrue, and that cannot be,
for he loves me we love each other
well, and Ellen is my sister. Let me
see :hem | will go to them


She endeavored to raise herself, but
fell back fainting on the pillow.
'What does this mean p said she,
what makes me so weak 2


Just then her eye fell on her hand,
that old and wIthered hand She gazed
on it in blank astonishment.


Something is the matter with my
sight, she said, smiling family, 'for my
hand is like an old woman's.'


'And So il is said the matron, gently,
'and so are mine yet we had fair, plump
hands when we were young. Dear Lucy,
do you know me ? | am Maria Allen
was to have been your bridesmaid


cannot say more. l will not make
the vain attempt 10 give in detail al
that mouiniul remembrance, since the
recreant and traitorous lover stood be-
fore her and made that terrible annouce
ment.


The kind matron paused frequently in
the sad narrative of her poor friends
madness and wanderings, but the invalid
would say, with fearful calmness, Go on
go on though tie drops of agony stood
thick Oh her forhead. When she askeC
for her sister, the matron replied


She has gone before you, and you
father Also


'And mother p said Lucy, her face Ii
| 49,, 4, - ho,o


Dead all gone alone, old, dying
o God, my cup of bitterness is full !!
and she wept aloud.


Her friend bent over her, and mingline
her tears with hers, said atfectionately
But you know who drank that cup be
fore you p


Lucy looked with a bewildering ex
preston, and the matron added, 'Tht
Lord Jesus you remember


A look like sunlight breaking through
a cloud look which saints may wear
erradiated the face of the dying woman
as she replied


%, yes, l knew Him and loved Hin
before l fell asleep


The man of God was called. Afev
who had known Lucy in her early day
came also. There was much reverentia
feeling and some weeping round he
death bed. Then rose the voice o
prayer. AT first her lips moved as he
weak spirit joined in that iervent appeal
Then they grew still and poor Lucy
was dead-dead in her gray-hared youth
Those who gazed upon that placid face
and remembered her harmless life ant
patient sufferings, doubted not that tb'
morn of an eternal day had broken OF
her might of years.


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