Page:The Clergyman's Wife.djvu/21

Rh features of that cherub face! They seemed very perfect, very lovely in their marble stillness and whiteness. Again and again she kissed the cold lips that had never breathed, never moved to draw nourishment, and thrill with joy the heart on which that tiny head reposed. For hours she lay gazing on the motionless face, and holding the icy hands in hers, until she almost fancied they grew warm with returning life.

At length it was needful to remove the corpse. Then Amy's frame was convulsed with sobs, the fountain of her tears was opened, and they fell in heavy showers upon the withered bud which no such rain could revive. But would not this folded flower, despite its untimely earthly blight, expand in the gardens of the Lord? Was not the jewel this little, perishing casket contained, set in the crown of eternity? Parted, not lost; passing through death into life; wherefore should Amy mourn the babe that had only "gone before?"

Amy recovered her strength more rapidly than was anticipated. In a short time she was able to take her former place in the household, and resume her habitual avocations. Through the house and through the garden, her melodious voice was once more heard, chanting all day; and if the tones were sadder than of old, they were not less sweet. She seemed but little changed, though at times a cloud of dreamy pensiveness overshadowed her young face. But, in a few months, it was brightened