Page:Orange Grove.djvu/134

 friends, she received none of their sympathy and

Milly was the more unwelcome, none of them being disposed to take her.

The snow came that night accompanied by a strong north-easter which piled it in drifts, and imparted a fantastic beauty to the surface of the earth, dazzling the eye with its pearly whiteness as the sun burst forth in his greatest splendor towards noon of the next day. Amelia still felt an unusual depression of spirits, meanwhile reproaching herself for shutting her eyes to the beauty of the outward world, which ought to buoy her upward in songs of gratitude and praise for the manifold blessings bestowed upon her. Why should she not stifle every feeling of discontent and quench every aspiration that sought a broader life, being satisfied to live as others did, seeking only present enjoyment and accepting the time-worn ruts of past ages as sufficient for the pathway of all the future?

Yes, why, that is the question. Thousands have asked it who, wearying of the search, have abandoned it as a fatal delusion. Persevere and the moment will come. Then no more vain questionings. Soul, be still, and listen for the answer:

She went to church that evening but not to listen to the preacher. He had no power to minister unto sorrow like hers. The sound of the music awakened no thrill of rapture now, though it had by no means lost its charm and power. She longed for intercourse with some such choice spirits as she had held com-