Next Part 1 Our Life Romance'.
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Five years later, one serene afternoon found Ada Ward within her favorite room. No outward changes of great consequence had befallen her, except that the furniture was not so fresh. One might have thought but a day had passed. Her lovely face was more spiritual; more assured and earnest in its expression; in her eyes, a world of trust and deep hopefulness might be found. At this moment they beamed upon Kate Suthington with a loving, laughing, triumphant look.
"Ah, Katy darling!" she said, "there is not a happier mortal on earth than you, as traitoress as you have been to your first love; and this new husband of yours, has he erected anotherEden in your life?"
"Perhaps so," answered Katy, with a soul-illumined smile.
"And you have learned to believe with me, that the pain of life may be transition, but that happiness is a real entity; something that shall come some day to the earnest spirit; perhaps here; perhaps not until our life has opened amid the everlasting beauty."
"I believe it; and should I lose it again, I would simply wait, and strive to work diligently, that others, as well as myself, might gain their greatest good."
"It is very beautiful to see great happiness," said Ada, softly; "it is a pledge of our life in Heaven, and a revealing of what our natures are capable of. It enables us to measure God's love better, and gives us a glimpse of something divine."
After Kate had gone to her happy home, Ada wrote in her journal as follows:
"Katy darling has been here this afternoon; dear Katy, sweet Katy, happy Katy. I think she has no idea of the degree in which she brightens my life; it used to give me a pang when I saw happiness, such as mine was, one brief while — but it is so different now; it gives me a glow of such heartfelt pleasure. I say to myself, 'Not yet, a wise Father permits it to them; but you know your own heart, and God knows that you may need a discipline very different from theirs; but be patient and grateful — the joy is coming.' Oh! sometimes I feel a boundless hope and rapture when I look up to God, and realize the great love with which He has ordered my lot. I think I never would have taken a broad glance at life — never would properly have fitted myself for the eternal world — if this world had been as happy as I wished it. How differently do I write in this, my life romance, from what I expected to, when I began it! But with all its sad experience, I have found a wealth in life which makes me often wonder. I have wept with gratitude that this priceless gift has been given me, that it will never have an end. Oh! wonderful to live amid fresh recurring joys, forever; such as no pen can describe; to be bathed in love, and ever performing deeds of love! To be able, every day of my life, to strive, with God's help, to perfect and beautify my life, and sometimes to be able to arouse others to this noble strife!
"Ungrateful that I was — I once felt that my life was a blasted one. What does it signify if one suffers? I sometimes ask myself when the cross is folded to my heart heavily. I learn very soon that 'He who goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed — shall doubtless return again, bringing his sheaves with him!' There are so many quiet pleasures given me, I look upon them sometimes as all extras. I think that this is the world where the battle must be fought, and yet so many little joys to cheer us. Eternally shall I thank God that he has taught me to fight this conflict — that the morning of my day was sorrowful, in order that a ripening eternity should be joyful. This morning I went to see one of my sick neighbors — she had lost a beloved husband. I said what I could to comfort her, but she answered,
"Ah! Mrs. Ward, I could speak to you, as you do to me — if I were young, rich, and happy — one of the favored of the earth!"
"I said that even I might make myself miserable, if I forgot what blessings I had — and that the 'favored of the earth, were not always the favored of Heaven.' But she would listen to nothing of this — her vision was bounded to a few fleeting years — they were life to her — she had no soaring hopes beyond. I came away thinking I was very rich, because I hoped I had an investment for a dearer, nobler life — yet I will try to open a vein of comfort for this afflicted one — perhaps she may in time believe how earnestly I desire her good. I meet with so many noble spirits, and often these dear ones confide to my ear, heart-stories full of interest and pathos, and it is a holy pleasure to weep and wonder, and forget my own heart-story for the while, or only remember what of worth has survived it. When I read books that go to my heart, I feel that, 'Life is richly worth living for!' It is true that my days are very much of one color, and household love does not bless me within my own home — yet it is noble to strive to be faithful amid all this, and to hope I am still of some use. Mylittle life romance is of a gray shade, but it is only the first chapters I am writing here — it will be finished, where? In Heaven, I hope! Finished? Ah, never! Its beauty shall increase, its glory of life shall be too dazzling to be written with an earthly pen; nevertheless, the romance shall go on, and never reach its end, in the world that is eternal!"
Ada had written her last chapter on earth. The sunshine that awoke her, was amid the Everlasting Beauty. When she had put away her writing materials, a strange pain shot through her heart; and before she could leave the room, it had ceased to beat!
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