Page:Peterson magazine 1849.pdf/36

 . been put off for a month, then for three, and then for an indefinite period. She is now dying, but she is not unhappy; for Gerald, who has been sent for, sits beside her, holding her hand in his, and weeping; he has been true to his promise to Lillian, but never, not for one moment, has Lushes suspected that he loves another.

Lillian, too, is there, moving around the chamber like a ministering angel. She has seen little of Gerald since their parting year before, and this meeting has been something of a trie! for her, but she has learned to lean less on her own pride of heart and more on a higher source, and she has triumphed. At Lushee’s dying request, she has come to be with her.' She met Gerald with composed words, thanks to the efficacy of prayer.

It is a calm, eummer evening, and the sweet, freg-rant air—for it is the country—steala in through the cagement and fans the hot cheek of the sufferer.

Raise me up,” said Lashee faintly.

Gerald softly supported her in his arms. while Lil-Tian arranged the pillows under her. Leshee smiled ‘on both, oh, how kindly,

The runle of the trees, the marmur of ramning ‘woters, the birds chirping in the hedges, and other'sweet, rural sounds flooded in until the room was filled with holy music, and then a distant church bell tolled for the evening service. The low, musical sound seemed to her like a call from heaven.

“When another day comes around,” said Lushee, “and you hear that vesper bell again, I shall be no more among you. But I die happy. It is only at parting with you, Gerald, that I grieve. Yet it is all for the beat.

She stopped, for her breath grew shorter and shorter, and she had to pause to recover herself. Soon abe resumed—

“Don't weep, Gerald," she said, “nor you, Lit-Vian."Tam not at for a world like this, and it is better [should go hence]. We shall all meet in heaven.”

“Dear Lushee,” sobbed Lillian. She could not say more.

Gerald turned his face away and sobbed audibly.

"I have something to ask of you, Gerald,” said Lushee after awhile, and when all were more composed. “It has been on my mind ever since I have been here. Itisabout yourmarryingagain. I wish that you and Lillian could love each other. I often wondered why you never did. I'm sure you would make ‘each other happy."

She stopped and looked from one to another.

Tears were raining down the cheeks of Liltian, but she did not look at Gerald; her eyes were fixed on her dying father. Gerald, too, regarded only Lashee.

“Yon are both here,” said the dying angel, “and can you snaw me? Lillian, I know, loves no one; and you, Gerald, will you not obey me?” and she looked from one to the other.

For an instant, the eyes of Gerald and Lillian met, ‘and a thrill, a strange thrill, awfully solemn yet not bitter, went to the hearts of each. Then their gaze rested on Lushes. Sha had seen their mutual glance; she indeed directed it; and now a bappy Amile broke over her countenance; she joined their bands.

May you be happy, dear Lillian,” she said. "And, Gerald, be true to her—ebe is a jewel worth keeping."God bless you both!”

‘She smiled egaio, more sweetly than ever, turning from the face of one to that of the other. Gradually, her hold on the hands of either reiaxed—slowly, slowly. ‘ The vesper bell still tolled—but fainter and fainter, with departing cadence, When its last treme-logs note vibrated over Hill anddale, she murmured the names of Gerald and Lillian, and her spirit passed away, wafting upward to Heaven. It is no dream to think, by good angels who had waited at the threshold.

A moment before, and there had been three in that room, now Gerald and Lillian, looking instinctively at each other, felt there were only two. And, oh, how solemn is that conviction? Gerald tenderly laid the body of the departed on the bed, and then he and Lillian eank on their knees side by side.

‘They were different beings, were Gerald and Jian, after that ‘rial. Sorrow had obestened their hearts, and the memory of the dead thereafter was their talieman.

‘A year had passed since the demise of Lushee, when Gerald came to claim her. Ashly was once again decked in summer bloom. It was just two years from that night when 'Lillian made him promise to keep his trotk to Lushee, and, though to surrender bim then bad almovt broke ber heart, she rejoiced now at it. She felt that, from her home in heaven, Lushee saw God bless her for what he''d done.

“Oh, dear Lillian,” said Gerald to the bride, “how terrible a thing is pride. It came near shipwrecking me—but you, thank heaven, were my better angel.”

Litlian laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, ‘and there she sobbed, for her heart was falling.

OH, GIVE ME BACK MY HEART.

BY EDWARD J. PORTER. Oh, give me back my heart, agrin. In Raptare’s moment given, While rooning, it played the epirit breath. Of love's enchanting heaven: The chain that linked thy beauty has broken. The brightest links apart Oh, give me back my heart again? ‘Oh, give me back, say, heart?

‘Oh, give me back my heart again. It is now a withered thing. Like a shattered tute, whose tones are fown, ‘And broken each bright rings No touch may to ite chonls again. Love's passion-hreath imparts Ob, glvo me hack my heart again’ Oh, give me back my heart.