CHAPTER XIII.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 177, 18 August 1876, Page 6

CHAPTER XIII.

OLD OCEAN VISITED, AND NEW FRIENDS FOUND. The intelligence contained in this letter weighed on Eosine' s health and spirits ; she solaced herself somewhat by a full outpouring of her heart to her mother, which she could now do without oversight ; confessing to an ever-present yearning for her dear embrace. She did not pine or complain, but assured her parents that ehe had learned to love Colonel Hartland's family very sincerely, she would be always happy but for the great distance from those best loved. Dr. Hartland exclaimed, on his next visit to the seaside, upon Eosine's ill looks. " She had gone back," he 6aid, "to where she was before she left town, and if thiß was the effect of the sea-air, he should order her at once into the interior." " How is Laura ?" wbb her first question. " Very bad," replied he. " I saw her physician yesterday. He cays the disease is gone, and the delirium, but her mind seems to be in a state of collapse." He would not say more of Laura, but turned with interest to the collection of mosses, shells, and other sea treasures she had gathered during her sojourn by the beach, and which Miss Greenwood had promised to come tbe next day and arrange ior her in their rightful places, before they were carried to the city. Ihe next day passed without the. appearance of Miss Greenwood either at the house or on tbe beach ; but the Doctor only shrugged his shoulders when Eosine wondered at this non-fulfilment of her promise. The day after his departure Miss Greenwood made her first appearance at the farm-house. She found her young friend quite alone, the Colonel having gone to town on business preparatory to their going away, which was to take place the next week. With busy pliant fingers she soon made order in the confused mass of marine curiosities which Eosine had collected, telling her as she laid each one in its place, how much she would miss her cheerful face in her daily walks, and how she had come to love her very dearly. She blushed deeply when Eosine ventured to,, hope they might meet in the city. " My dear child," she said at length, " this little green spot in my life will never be forgotten. I live very quietly, but perhaps you will sometimes come to the Navy Yard to see me. Mind, 1 shall mark that day with a white stone that brings you ; but you willjiave younger and gayer companions." " I haven't any gay companions now," replied Eosine^emiling sadly. " I don't think I want any." " That is hardly a natural wish for one so young and lopeful as yourself, and with so many looking to you for comfort." "Looking to me for comfort!" replied Kosine, opening her eyes in astonishment. " Yes ; all looking to you for comfort," repeated her friend. " From the gleanings I have gathered fiom you in our happy hours, and from my own hear} being so drawn to you, I know that many hearts are trusting to you for comfort. Your own dear mother first, whom you have made me love ; your sister, your brothers, but more particularly just now, Colonel Hartland's family. The Colonel's heart is evidently set upon his newly found daughter. Good, noble man ! He only wants one thing to make him nearly perfect ; but that is the greatest want. You know what I mean — a religious spirit. To you, dear Rosa, tin's blessing has been given in large measure. O, if you could impart of it to others! Then, there is the absent Lieutenant, his letters manifest his dependence, his deference for you. Then Laura, poor foolish child, some time you may be able to do something for her :" the pauseil a moment. " Have you forgotten Ned ?" said Kosa,' smiling, willing to change the subject from Laura. " lhat is hardly possible in a review of the family. If you can persuade Edward JUartlancl to care for his soul," — she paused, — "unbaptized even !" she exclafmed, with something like a groan. "O, Kosa, it is dreadful to see our friends living iv the neglect of this first duty, without which — . ' " The Doctor is a great deal older and wiser than I," said Eosine, timidly, " and influences me, but I don't think I can influence him." '• Influence is mutual necessarily. Dr. Hartland has nearly lost his faith in woman, and faith in God is very apt to follow. A sister, a young sister, trusting, confiding, actuated by firm religious faith and right principles, must help him mightily ; but I am foolish to allow myself to talk thus," she added, rising to go. Her voice was agitated, and dear sympathetic Eosine as she embraced her, whispered, " Dear Miss Greenwood." "Don't call me Sliss Greenwood, my sweet one ; call me Dora, oi Miss Dora, if you like it better. I wish you were my sister," she said, returning the affectionate cares* In a few days Colonel Hartland and Eosine were on their way tc the city, and the following week Dr. Hartlund fulfilled his promise. and she found hcr&elf quietly settled at Hawthorndean, the home oi her grandfather ; enjoying the fresh breezes from the hillsides, drinking in life aud health, both for soul and body. Dr. Hartlaud could leave his post but for one day, but he would return for her by and by, and for the fishing excui siou he had promised himself.