Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-18
Tco.cluaed from first page. ]

concluded from first page.l
with The beauty of Heaven, and frightened
now with light like the aiter-glow OF the
sunset: her hair was white as silver, but
tho eyes and smile were young. Beside
her Philip had placed the little cabinet
she had been examining its treasures
several lay IL her lap. On little table at
her feet, where her eyes could rest upon
il. stood the tea-rose, in full bloom now.
She greeted me with smile. then as
Phil kneeled beside her, she said. with
glance at the picture above the hre, ~ =, on
were told that was like me. All! fhilip
did not know what poor old woman WAS
coming home to him at last =,
Kathleen, you say nothing oil the o'u'
old man you found.
The look she turned upon him was the
most beautiful ever saw on any face. II
I saw nothing. Philip, it is because my
heart is too full for words"
Hearing Abby in the hall. | went out
and left the two together. When came
back, Phil handed me the prayer-book
omen at the marriage service. "Do you
mind using that form, Archie? kathleen
likes it,
He spoke so quietly, l looked dumbly at
him. Eyes, Archie, that is what we want !;
she has been my wife these twenty years,
but want all men to know it now"
So, in the presence of Abby and Pills
old housekeeper, married them.
How white the still face on the pillows
had become; but when the rite was end
cd she turned to Philip with radiant
smile 9TH death us do part. Death will
not part us, Philip"
saw Kathleen every day alter that
The storm and tempest of her life was
past, and now her fragile boat was an
chored in the haven Of Philips love. She
often spoke to me Of his years OF patient
waiting: ut was only the thought OF that
that made me able to live sometimes"
she said one day. 1.-The only time doubt
ed him was when came up the walk from
the gate that night; / stood moment to
gather strength and courage, and l saw
him come TO the window there; he drew
the curtain and looked out, and saw the
warmth and brightness within, and /
feared to see some one In my place at his
side; then l cried out Philip and he
came to me, my faithful lover. and he
brought me in, and then knew God hears
our prayers"
Those days Of quiet, tranquil happiness
sped swiftly by, and in the gloom and cold
before the dawn on Christmas morning,
Phil sent for me. found Kathleen lying.
pale and faint, upon her pillows. and
Philip bending over her with the seal OF a
great and holy calm upon his face. l took
nv place beside her in silence she smiled
gently. II am going to spend my Christ
mas day with Paul and mother. l wish
Philip could come too. but perhaps it
won't be long, She struggled little for
breath. and Phil raised her in his arms.
waiting again, my poor Philip" she
said loudly; "but will be near you all
the time this dear room your hands pre-
pared for me, God will let me come to it
often. am sure. You will not grieve
much, Philip. it is only waiting
The gray was leaving the eastern sky, a
faint rosy flush crept over the snow. Phil
signed to me, and l repeated softly some
Of the texts she loved. She thanked me
with smile, then her face changed; no
shadow fell on it, only wondrous light,
Philip" she whispered, then the light
grew stronger. and in the first flush and
brightness Of that Christmas morning her
soul went home.
Now the summer sun shines brightly on
the churchyard grass, the birds sing
sweetly overhead, and the trees rustic
their green boughs in the soft air. On
the green slope behind the church the
grass is greenest, the flowers brightest /;
there the birds come latest in the fall.
The sun has shot beam of light through
the leaves, it trembles over the fair, white
marble cross, and by its light you read
the name kathleen. and underneath the
words, my wife. Prom, the GALAXY.