Madeline Leslie

“ She turned to her brother, who gave a whispered message to the lad, sending him from the room.
"Is that Edward Wallingford?" murmured the sick man. "I did not send for him."
"This is not a place for a lady to be seen alone," was Edward's reply; "but that is not the only reason I came. I heard you were in distress; and I came to relieve you if possible."
"Nobody can do that. I have thrown away the best chance for happiness a man ever had. You know what I might have been. And you," turning to Gertrude, "know how wickedly I broke my vows to you. This is what sin has brought me to." ”

“ But he did not lose his consciousness; and seemed so fearful Gertrude would take Paul from the room, that she bent over him, murmuring:
"I will not leave you. It is hard not to be able to help you."
He was soon relieved, and said panting:
"It is all right. He," pointing upward, "orders every pang. I shall soon have a whole eternity to rest in."
"My son," he repeated solemnly, placing his hand on the boy's head, "I prayed God to allow me to see you, and now I want to say, 'Fear God and keep his commandments.' This will render you happy in life and triumphant in death." ”

“ It was Marion Gilbert; and a quick flush of pleasure for one instant brightened Gertrude's pale cheeks. She put out her arms like a wearied child; and then received Marion's tender kiss with a burst of joyful tears.
"I've been sick all the morning, and Bridget has so much to do," she began, apologizing.
"I shall feel like a stranger if you make excuses;" urged the visitor, "and I came to ask you if you want a sister. If you do, I shall take off my bonnet and go to work. There's always so much to do after a party." ”

“ To no one except her Saviour did she repeat these grievances. She would not allow her good Bridget even to sympathize with her about her husband's unkindness.
"Don't! You mean kindly, I know;—but you hurt me," she would say, putting her hand upon her heart.
"Perhaps," she said one day to herself when with a burst of tears she had run to her chamber after a cutting sarcasm, from Paul, "Perhaps, if he had continued kind and loving as at first, I might not have found a heavenly Friend;—one who understands the infirmities of his creatures; and will not try them more than they are able to bear." ”

“ Gilbert watched by her side, while Paul, in a fever of remorse, by turns walked the floor, and passionately kissed the cold lips of his unconscious wife.
Gerry's swoon was of so long continuance that when she revived, Marion's loving hands had prepared the body of little Rose for its final resting place. When the tiny fingers were folded, Bridget, with a fresh burst of grief, begged Miss Gilbert to place within them an exquisite rose bud, which she had expended one quarter of her week's earnings to purchase at the stall opposite. ”

“ I found the house deserted and fell asleep, and could not at once shake off the idea that the laughing eyes looking into mine and the voice, calling me Ned, did not belong to my vision."
"It was this that deceived me," laughed Gerty pulling her brother's curly whiskers. "I don't think you look at all alike now."
"How pleasant and cool you keep yourselves," exclaimed Edward, turning to Hannah who had seated herself opposite him. "Is every thing prosperous about the farm? I see you have a pair of fancy calves on the lawn." ”

“ Welcome to Chicago. Miss Gilbert you look as blooming as a June rose. Gertrude, love, are you ill? You are very pale. Ah, I feared the effect of your last night's dissipation. Fact, I have myself a blinding headache to-day. Makes me as blue as I used to get sometimes in our old college days, Wallingford."
"How is business?" inquired Edward, breaking an awkward pause.
"Very good! No, I thank you, Miss Gilbert, I have eaten dinner. ”

“ You held up my Saviour and made me look upon him whom I had pierced."
At this moment the physician came in. He had not seen his patient for some days, and looked in wonder at the new expression on his once gloomy countenance.
Paul held out his hand with a smile. "You may count the beats in my pulse," he said; "and if you tell me this is my last night on earth, they will not vary in the least. I acknowledge my crimes and throw myself on the mercy of the Judge of all the earth. I have an Advocate who has promised to save me, one whose word has never failed." ”

“ My sister has cured me," Gertrude said, pulling Marion's face down for a second embrace.
This proved to be a day of pleasant surprises. Marion had assisted her new sister down stairs, where, with a pillow and shawl she was realizing how pleasant it was to be cared for once more, when another ring brought a hectic flush to her cheek.
It is sad indeed for the wife, be she young or old, when she trembles with fear at the thought of meeting reproachful looks and hard words from her husband.
"That's Paul," she said half aloud, rising and leaning on her elbow. ”

“ Oh, Gerty, cannot you understand that it is solely for your good, I urge you to pause before you bind yourself! Wait only one year. If your attachment continues, it will be time enough then, and Paul will have established himself in business."
"He says his success is in a great measure dependent on me," she answered in a pleading tone; "that a gentleman with a family can gain access to society where another would be excluded. I gave him my promise freely, and unless he releases me I shall hold myself bound to keep it."
"Just the words he uses," muttered Edward angrily. ”

“ Dudley's being here for a few weeks can bring sorrow to her."
"None are so blind as those who wont see," murmured the woman with a sigh. "But remember what I tell you. If you don't put some check upon your friend, as your father would do were he alive, you'll regret it when it is too late."
"Do speak plain, Hannah. What is it you fear? Gertrude is only a child; and after this visit will probably never see Paul again."
"God grant it; for I tell you he will never make a kind husband; and I can see, if you can't, that he's doing his best to steal away her heart."
Edward laughed, but not heartily. ”

“ Paul Dudley is unworthy of your love. You must forget him."
She found her voice now. Her eyes sparkled with indignation.
"Edward Wallingford," she began, "is it you who counsel me to break my vows; who tells a wife to forget the husband of her choice, the father of her babes? I cannot believe you are in earnest in what you say. I married too young, brother. I have always regretted that I did not listen to your advice, and wait till I had completed my education; but I never regretted that I chose Paul Dudley. I don't pretend that he has no faults. None of us are perfect ”

“ He staid late at his office, coming home at any hour in the night, greatly to the disturbance of poor Gerty's rest. He saw that she was often pale and nervous, but attributed it to any thing else rather that his own neglect; or the disappointment which, let her strive against it as she might, was gradually chilling the fervor of her affection for her husband. At her request he had allowed her a sum for weekly expenses; but often grumbled at her foolish extravagance; and at his own folly in burdening himself with the trials of housekeeping. ”

“ One minute more to fill the large china pitcher with fresh water; and then she gayly announced that the rooms were ready.
"Ned," exclaimed Paul, the instant they were alone, "confess at once that you have been deceiving me all these years. How dared you tell me your sister was ignorant, unformed, a Gypsy and so on? She is the most perfect specimen of humanity that it has ever been my fortune to meet. Then what refinement! Only think, Ned, what a home she'd make for a man; think of her arch glances and bewitching smiles." ”

“ An expression of pain, for one instant, clouded the mother's fair countenance, but was instantly succeeded by a look of resignation, so elevated, so holy, that the pastor paused to gaze.
"I'll hurry home, Gerty; and perhaps I'll find time to run in at noon," said Mr. Dudley, making a little bustle to hide his embarrassment. He feared Dr. Gilbert would offer to pray for the child before he should be out of the house.
"Precious babe," faltered the clergyman, bending over her. "We cannot mourn for you, who will so soon be free from pain and sorrow. ”

“ Dear, dear Hannah. Have you longed for your naughty girl, who used to torment you so much? I hope you have missed me a little, for I have wanted you every hour in the day. Now don't you go and marry that funny Mr. Biles who made love to you; for I shall go to Rose Cottage in the summer to bring you to Chicago. Paul told me something about your beau. He rode with him the day he first came to see us, and the man talked so about our never having any visitors; because you wouldn't let any body come, that Paul was almost afraid to venture. ”

“ Paul Dudley was no longer her husband, and even his parents, whom Edward had visited in Philadelphia, confessed she had borne more than could be expected. Alas, they knew their son had fallen! that their fond hopes were blasted, and learned too late the truth of the inspired words; "'The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself, bringeth his mother to shame.'"
Through all these weary days and these trying scenes, Gertrude, hopeful and faithful Gertrude, quieted the anguish of her heart by the thought:
"God is my Father and friend. He knows all things from the beginning ”

“ He motioned me to his side, and gasping with every word, he said faintly:"
"'Tell her, if the blessing of an humble penitent is worth any thing, I leave mine for her and our boy. Tell her, Christ has made himself known, the One above all others; matchless in love and grace.—Tell her I shall shine as a star in her crown.—Tell her, Christ is all my salvation and all my desire. If he will save such a sinner as I am, the very chief, there is no need for any to despair of mercy.—Tell her, to go on doing good to all around, and train her little Paul to follow his Saviour's steps. ”

“ Wallingford survived him; and then she too was called to her home in the skies. The summons was not a sudden one; for months she had felt her health to be declining, and to her the thought of being free from her body of sin and death was delightful. The only struggle she felt in exchanging the scenes of time for those of eternity, was when she thought of her children. But her faith in the promises of a covenant-keeping God at length prevailed over every doubt ”

“ October found them settled in Rome for the winter. Edward who was now quite able to relieve his sister of care, hired a beautiful villa, on the banks of the Tiber; and every fine day a little pleasure boat could be seen shooting out from the tiny wharf, carrying the elegant Americans.
They had been in Rome almost a month; had received calls from many distinguished countrymen and countrywomen; and were beginning to feel quite at home, when one morning Gertrude accompanied her brother to the studio of an American artist, who had some pictures on exhibition before they were sent to New York. ”

“ Yes, with my whole heart I can say, 'hide thy face from my sins.' 'Let not thine eyes of purity rest upon them;' and 'blot out all mine iniquities.'"
"When I came to that verse I asked myself, 'But how can a wise ruler do this? If the law is set aside, anarchy is at once established.' At this moment the mission of Christ as a mediator rushed into my mind with the vividness of a flash of lightning. He is the being, part human, part divine, who can mediate between the offended Judge, and his guilty subjects. ”

“ Though ignorant and unaccomplished, Hannah had carefully taught her the sacred truths revealed in the word of God. She knew that man alienated from his Maker, could never experience perfect joy. She knew that the love of the Father had provided a way whereby his sinful children might secure, not only temporal, but eternal good. ”

“ Edward thought the countenance familiar; and glanced in his companion's face, wondering he did not speak of her. Paul's lip was curled into a pleasant smile, as if some agreeable memories had been stirred; but he presently remarked in continuation of their former conversation:
"Chicago is destined to be a great city, one of the greatest in the country."
They returned to find Gertrude impatiently awaiting her brother. At her earnest request Marion had consented to send Bridget with a note of explanation to her mother; and remain through the evening. ”

“ With the name of this Mediator on our lips we can even dare to make a plea so bold! 'Cast me not away from thy presence, take not thine Holy Spirit from me?' 'Create in me a new heart,' this wicked heart which has been in all manner of uncleanness I loathe, I abhor. Create a new one, with holy desires, with pure affections, and renew a right spirit within me."
"I can scarcely give you an idea," continued the gentleman, after watching for an instant the gush of joyful tears which streamed down his sister's cheeks; "of Paul's fervor in repeating these petitions. ”