After the Storm

"Mr. Delancy," said Rose, now coming to his side, and laying a hand

upon his arm, "you must not speak so to Irene. This is not like

you."

There was a calmness of utterance and a firmness of manner which had

their right effect.

"How have I spoken, Rose, dear? What have I said?" Mr. Delancy

stopped and looked at Miss Carman in a rebuked, confused way, laying

his hand upon his forehead at the same time.

"Not from yourself," answered Rose.

"Not from myself!" He repeated her words, as if his thoughts were

still in a maze. "Ah, child, this is dreadful!" he added. "I am not

myself! Poor Irene! Poor daughter! Poor father!"

And the old man lost himself again.

A look of fear now shadowed darkly the face of Irene, and she

glanced anxiously from her father's countenance to that of Rose. She

did not read in the face of her young friend much that gave

assurance or comfort.

"Mr. Delancy," said Rose, with great earnestness of manner, "Irene

is in sore trouble. She has come to a great crisis in her life. You

are older and wiser than she is, and must counsel and sustain her.

Be calm, dear sir--calm, clear-seeing, wise and considerate, as you

have always been."

"Calm--clear-seeing--wise." Mr. Delancy repeated the words, as if

endeavoring to grasp the rein of thought and get possession of

himself again.

"Wise to counsel and strong to sustain," said Rose. "You must not

fail us now."

"Thank you, my sweet young monitor," replied Mr. Delancy, partially

recovering himself; "it was the weakness of a moment. Irene," and he

looked toward his daughter, "leave me with my own thoughts for a

little while. Take her, Rose, to her own room, and God give you

power to speak words of consolation; I have none."

Rose drew her arm within that of Irene, and said, "Come." But Irene

lingered, looking tenderly and anxiously at her father.

"Go, my love." Mr. Delancy waved his hand.

"Father! dear father!" She moved a step toward him, while Rose held

her back.

"I cannot help myself, father. The die is cast. Oh bear up with me!

I will be to you a better daughter than I have ever been. My life

shall be devoted to your happiness. In that I will find a

compensation. All is not lost--all is not ruined. My heart is as

pure as when I left you three years ago. I come back bleeding from

my life-battle it is true, but not in mortal peril--wounded, but not

unto death--cast down, but not destroyed."

All the muscles of Mr. Delancy's face quivered with suppressed

feeling as he stood looking at his daughter, who, as she uttered the

words, "cast down, but not destroyed," flung herself in wild

abandonment on his breast.