Page:Orange Grove.djvu/411

 an officer, thinking he might intimidate the family to give her up, but Rosalind proved more than a match for him.

"Do you come here" said she, "expecting us to deliver her into your custody, because you claim die power the law gives you as her husband, when you hare treated her worse than a brute? No! Sooner would I trample on every law in the state than be guilty of such perfidy!"

One morning, when unusually rational, Mrs. Claremont removed her patient in front of the window which commanded a full view of the lawn, whose verdant beauty was resplendent with sparkling gems fresh from the hand of its Maker, as the sun suddenly emerged from his misty shadow.

Mrs. Carleton gazed at it long and quietly as if lost in reverie. Mrs. Claremont approached to speak to her, but was anticipated by the sufferer with the remark, "What a lovely morning!" Her manner indicating that something farther was seeking utterance, Mrs. Claremont proceeded with the task of arranging her hair without making any reply.

She continued, "As the earth smiles so lovingly from its lap of tender green after the gathering shades of darkness have merged in the tranquil morning light, so does my soul respond to the giver of all blessings for his kindness and watchfulness over me."

"There are many blessings in store for you yet, I firmly believe," replied her faithful friend and nurse. "You remember the promise of old, 'All things work together for good to those who love God.