Songs in the twilight . hou despair;At which she meekly bowed a lowly head,While trembled on her lips an earnest prayer. A light came to her restless, fevered eye— The flushed and troubled face at once grew calm; Peace took the place of stormy agony, And oer the tortured spirit shed its balm. 78 A BRAND FROM THE BURNING. But still the rapid death-march beat apace, Through every quivering pulse and through her blood; I saw the shadows steal across her face,As by her bed, in silent prayer, I stood. I marked the coming change on cheek and brow,I heard the moan, the catchings of the breath; The bi
Songs in the twilight . hou despair;At which she meekly bowed a lowly head,While trembled on her lips an earnest prayer. A light came to her restless, fevered eye— The flushed and troubled face at once grew calm; Peace took the place of stormy agony, And oer the tortured spirit shed its balm. 78 A BRAND FROM THE BURNING. But still the rapid death-march beat apace, Through every quivering pulse and through her blood; I saw the shadows steal across her face,As by her bed, in silent prayer, I stood. I marked the coming change on cheek and brow,I heard the moan, the catchings of the breath; The bitter right was being fought out now, And to that room had come dread ruthless death. A sudden start : a low but thrilling cry :Upon the face a quivering gleam of light: Methought I heard the sound quick rushing byAs of a liberated spirits flight. Then all was still. A silence filled the room,And ended was the long and painful strife ; Another soul had gone to meet its doom—From out the world had passed another ( 79 ) THE LOCUST-EATEN YEARS. 1 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.—Joel ii. 25. &sMJ WORDS of wonder ! What ! restore the Renew the olden days, the happy times,<*T^ The joys and pleasures that fled all too hours that struck sweet music from their chimes! Restore the trust in man that once we knew,When no suspicion chilled or slew our love, And all we met were good, and pure, and true,Clear as the wave that glasses heaven above J Restore the hope that threw a tender lightOer the near future, and the distant years, When life was full of fresh and sweet held no hint of grief or Litter tears! 80 THE LOCUST-EATEN YEARS. Kestore full-hearted love, which knew not yetThat coldness can repay affections smile; That lips can lightly promise, and forget That neath the honeyed words lie cruel guile ? Oh, can it be, and shall I stand once moreIn the full light of childhoods early spring, When every hour some
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