Yet it were a generous
thing to make her happiness at once, forgetful of my own. How shall
I bear to see her waiting patiently, while youth and hope are fading
slowly, and know that I might end her weary trial and join two
faithful hearts? Oh, Jamie, I wish to Heaven I were asleep with you,
freed from the temptations that beset me. It is so easy to perceive
the right, so hard to do it."
The sound of that familiar name, uttered despairingly, aloud, fell
with a sweet and solemn music upon Walter's ear. A flood of tender
memories swept away the present, and brought back the past. He
thought of that short life, so full of pain and yet of patience, of
the sunny nature which no cloud could overshadow, and the simple
trust which was its strength and guide.
He thought of that last night and saw now with clearer eyes the
sacrifices and the trials silently borne for love of Bess.
The beautiful example of the child rebuked the passion of he man,
and through the magic of affection strengthened generous impulses
and banished selfish hopes.
"I promised to be kind to Bess, and with God's help I will keep my
vow. Teach me to bear my pain, to look for help where you found it,
little Jamie;" and as he spoke, the young man gazed up at the
shining cross, striving to see in it not merely an object of the
dead boy's love, but a symbol of consolation, hope, and faith.
"It is a noble thing to see an honest man cleave his own heart in
twain to fling away the baser part of it.
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