, thought not where. She only knew that she was
now homeless.
The clouds looked as serene, the stars twinkled as merrily as ever,
and the moon shed as bright a light upon the form of the soldier's
wife, as she walked out of that room, a wanderer upon the earth, as it
did on scenes of peace and happiness. The Ruler of the Universe saw
not the desolate mother and her children; thus there was no change in
the firmament, for had He gazed upon them at that moment, a black
cloud would have been sent to obscure the earth, and darkness would
have taken the place of light.
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
THE RESTING PLACE--ANOTHER VISIT TO MR. SWARTZ.
The mother and her child walked on in silence. Mrs. Wentworth knew not
where to go. From her heart the harrowing cry of desolation went out,
and mingled with the evening air, filling it with the sound of
wretchedness, until it appeared dull and stifling. But she knew not
this, for to her it had never appeared pleasant. For weeks past her
cup of misery had been filling, and as each drop of sorrow entered the
goblet of her life, so did all sense of what was happy and lovely
depart from her heart. She was, indeed, a breathing figure of all that
could be conceived miserable and unhappy. The flowers that bloomed in
the Spring time of her happy years, had withered in the winter of her
wretched weeks, and over the whole garden of her life, nothing but the
dead and scentless petals remained, to tell of what was once a
paradise of affection--a blooming image of love.
As she walked on she discovered that the child she carried in her arms
had fainted. She paused not for consideration, but observing a light
in a small cabin near by, she hurriedly bent her steps towards it, and
entered through the half opened door. It was the home of an aged negro
woman, and who looked up much surprised at the intrusion.
"Here, auntie," Mrs. Wentworth said hastily, "give me some water
quickly, my child has fainted."
"Goodness, gracious, what could ha' made you bring dem children to dis
part of de town dis time o' night," exclaimed the old negress, as she
hastened to do the bidding of Mrs. Wentworth, who had already placed
the inanimate body of Ella on the negro's humble bed.
The water being brought, Mrs. Wentworth sprinkled it upon the face of
the child, but without avail. Ella still remained motionless, and to
all appearances lifeless.
"Great Heaven!" exclaimed Mrs. Wentworth, "my child cannot
|