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Show 112 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN: OR, that look indescribable, hopeless, unmistakable, that says to thee that thy beloved is no longer thine. On the face of the child, however, there was no ghastly imprint,- only a. high and almost sublime expression,- the overshadowing presence of spiritual natures, the dnwning of immortal life in that childish soul. They stood there so still, gazing upon her, that even the ticking of the watch seemed too loud. In a few moments, Tom returned, with the doctor. He entered, gave one look, and stood silent as the rest. " When did this change take place?" said he, in a low whisper, to Miss Ophelia. "About the turn of the night," was the reply. Marie, roused by the entrance of the doctor, appeared, hurriedly, from the next room. "Augustine! Cousin ! -0 ! -what!" she hurriedly began. "Hush!'' said St. Clare, hoarsely; a she is dying!" ~Iammy heard the words, and flew to awaken the servants. The house was soon roused,-lights were seen, footsteps heard, anxious faces thronged the Ycrandah, and looked tearfully through the glass doors; but St. Clare heard and said nothing,- he saw only tltat look on the face of the litilo sleeper. "0, if she would only wake, and speak once more! " I1c said; and, stooping over her, he spoke in her car,-" Eva, darling!" The large blue eyes unclosed,- a smile passed over her £<tee ; -she tried to raise her head, and to speak. " Do you know me, Eva? " " Dear papa," said the child, with a last effort, throwing her arms about his neck. In a moment they dropped again; • LIFll AMONG THE J,QWLY. 113 and, as St. Clare raised his head, he saw a spasm of rnorta.l agony pass over the face,- she struggled for breath, and threw up her little hands. "0, God, this is dreadful! " he said, turning away in agony, and wringing ~rom's hand, scarce conscious what he was doing. n 0, '11om, my boy, it is ki11ing me! ' ' Tom had his master's hands between his own; and, with tears streaming down his dark checks, looked up for help where he had always been used to look. "Pray that this may be cut short ! ., said St. Claro," this wrings my heart." "0, bless the Lord! it's over,- it's over, dear :Master! '' said 'rom; " look at her." Tho child lay panting on her pillows, as one exhaustcd,the large clear eyes rolled up and fixed. Ah, what said those eyes, that spoke so much of heaven? Earth was past, and earthly pain ; but so solemn, so mysterious, was the triumphant brightness of that face, that it checked oven the sobs of sorrow. They pressed around her, in breathless stillness. (lEva," said St. Clare, gently. She di<l not hear. n 0, Eva, tell us what you see! " 'hat is it ?" said her father. A bright, a glorious smile }Xtssed over her face, and she said, brokenly,-'' 0! love,-joy,-pence!" gave one sigh, and passed fi·om death unto life ! "Farewell , beloved child ! the bright, eternal doors haYe closed after thee; we sha.ll see thy sweet face no more. 0, woe for them who watched thy entrance into heaven, when they shall wake and find only the cold gray sky of daily lifo, and thou gone forever! " VOJ,. II. lQ'~< |