Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-02-13

ok SO bright and happy. VIII "
make my boy well, so he can enjoy his
self in the fields and woods ?"
Thenthe spirit with the radient eyes
rose and beckoned to the boy. 81 have
| come to take your brother home" she
said, where he will be well and joyful
always"
can may no come, too? the cir
asked, putting her arm around hel
brothers neck, as if to keep him with
her. q cannot live withouten him.
Her mouth quivered, and the tears
weiled up big and bright in her eyes.
My child" the spirit answered, soft
ly, ''you cannot come with your brother
now-the time is not yet. Some day
will come for You, and he will come
with me to welcome you But now
my sister wants you still, and has work
for you to do" rs
The girl turned and looked timidly ur
at the sad eyed spirit, who said: Eyes
my child, you belong to me; my sister
has called your brother from me. In
that he is happier than you. But viii
love you, too. You need not fear me
If you will only trust me and be brave
Will you Gomez She held out he1
arms to her, and the girl, touched
and attracted by the sad
face went toward her, and
said, still holding her brothers hand
tightly clasped in her own: " I am not
afeared O. yo, an will trust 70; but
can not give up my boy"
But you must ~ the sister spirit
answered.
In spite of her glowing beauty, the
children both felt that her will was in
exorable.
Sister," said the boy, "yo nun let
me COL feel her drawing me, an can
not stay. Iwull be so happy. An yo
wull come to me. Kiss me, an let me
gor'
She turned and clasped him passion
ately in her arms; ~ wull let you go. y
she sobbed, "but it be so hard, so hard!
We was so happy, togither." ,-s- a..
81 be so tired" he murmured, as he
leaned, supported in her arms, with his
head against her breast and his lips
close to hers Ell. .-s--.
The radiant-eyed spirit approached
them and took the boy by the hand.
"Come," she said gently, 81 will take
you home"
My boy, my boy!" cried the girl,
piteously; and for a moment, as she
held him fast in her strong young arms,
it seemed as though her love were deep
enough to keep him in spite Of the
spirits call.
"Sistcr, let me go; will come again
to 20, an fetch yo."
Then, with a moan, she loosed her
arms and kissed him and let him go.
Then the spirit wrapped the boy in her
garments, and kissed him solemnly on
the brow and eyes and mouth; and be-
hold! beneath the power of that en-
brace his face frightened into health
and life and beauty; and the immortal
radiance that breathed from the spirits
form fell upon him and glorified him
And as his sister gazed wonderingly at
him the spirit took him by the hand
and they disappeared from her sight.
Then she with the saddened eyes came
to the girl and bent over her as she
wept, and whispered, laying her hand
on her brow, Be brave, and fear not ?"
and then she, too, vanished.
1t was morning, and the sun was
peering curiously in at the window of
the queer tumble-down house at Mile
end. And this was the sight it saw:
The father was still breathing heavily
on the floor; and on the bed the
brother and sister still lay close clasped
in each Others arms. Her breathing
was soft and regular. and her cheeks
were wet with tears. On his face shone
radiant smile, for his was the sleep of
death!