The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-19
LINKED TO HEAVEN.
as there no hope, doctorP''

|
cry. How could she bear TO see he
darling child drift away from her int,
that land from whence there is no re
turning.
, When the doctor had gone, she sanl
, feebiy on her knees, and moaned pite
a ously.
II A voice, faint and broken, cam,
through the half-opened door
Mamma, mammal Where are you?'
Mrs. Keliie started She must no
leave that cry unanswered, so breathing
prayer to Heavea, she rose calm anC
resigned, and presently was by the bed
side of little Eva.
Mamma dear, where is May?"
''She has not come home vet. dear
est; she won't be long. Do you want
her?'
Eva looked up with a sweet smile
Yes; 1 want-to say-good-bye tc
her.
Mrs kelle sstrove to check the sobs
that rose in her throat-to still the trem-
bling OF her lips, SO that she should not
distress her child.
Eva lay quiet for few moments
Presently she raised the hand of her
mother to her lips.
You will goodbye to papa
for me. do not think L shall see him
| again-until we all meet above"
Mrs. kellie hid her face on the pill
low. tears streaming down her cheeks.
do not cry-mamma-I shall be
happy-there. will wait for YOU and
| papa. May, oh, May ""
Her voice died away in sobbing
| wall. For the first time a panied ex-
| preston fitted over her face. brought
| there by the thought of being parted
baH 4
from her for day-her dearly loved
sister.
As if in answer to that mournful cry,
the door opened and little figure came
hastily into the room, and crossing over
to the bed, bent with loving smile ov-
err the sicls child
Eva darling, are you better? See,
have brought some of those white roses
you like so much, I" she said, placing a
few fragrant buds in her hand.
Eva's face lighted up with pleased de
light
Thank yea SO mulch, MAY. Thought
you We're never coming, dear l was
afraid should have to go without see
ing you again
WITHOUT seeing me! Whyswhere are
you goin9?" MAY asked in surprise
Il think | feel angels viii soon
COME to fetch mt home.
May threw herself wildly on the bed
beside Ter sister. and her arms closed
tightly around her neck.
.'Hush Eva darling. Don't talk like
shat. You are not going to leave me
you sha'n't!'' she cried, her voice quiy-
ering with suppressed emotion. Il can't
live without you-I can't"
Mays passionate despairing words
reused Mrs. kellie from her absorbing
grief.
Very gently she talked to May. show
ing her how wrong it was 10 excite her
sister.
May listened quietly; she was slowly
awakening to the knowledge that her
twin sister had spoken the truth, and
was dying
She wept long and bitterly; the out
pouring of wounded heart III its very
expressing more OF the
suffering she was enduring than the
most passionate lamentations would
have done.
The dim grey twilight came stealing
softly into the room, throwing Sha-
dowy veil over the two little girls on /
the bed and the silent figure beside
them.
May, her grief forgotten for time,
was sleeping calmly, the teardrops still
giiJtefiing on her cheeks, anil her hand |
locked in Eya's who was lying with |
closed eyes, a look OF peaceful tranquil |
ity on her face.
Mamma.
Mrs. Kellie started; she had thought |
her child slept. 4
Mamma dear" pang shot through |
the mother heart, as she heard those |
words so feebly spoken; the voice SO |
low and weak. fell on her ears like
death-kuell
Il think-the angels are--coming to |
take me-home.
mo, no, my darling; not vet.
Il think so-mamma. viii you lit |
me up-I want TO kiss-May
Mrs. Kclle did as she desired Very |
did Eva press her lips to her |
sisters sleeping face; how little did May |
think that while she slept, the one dear
err than life was fast leaving this world /
for heaven.
Presently Mrs. Kellie felt the arms
entwined around her neck unclasp and /
fall ineTtly down, and the head droop
heavily on her shoulder.
She gently laid the little lifeless form
on the pillows, crossed the waxen hands +
upon her breast, and, pressing one long
kiss on the cold lips, lifted May from
into her own room, and slowly descend
ed the stairs to meet her husband, who
mad Just entered the house, to tell him
hat the Angels of Death, during his abb
'ence. had entered and left his homo
more desolate by one little life.
He bowed his head on his hands and
me deep groan that broke from his
white lips showed how dearly he had
nvad his little DAUGHTER
.eAnd May?'7 he asked presently IN q
strained husky voice.
, s.She is asleep. She does not know
ret = she answered, aalook Of uneasiness
her face.
poor May. poor little darling how /
AN we tell her. -,
~ do not know. She will break her
ieart. /. and Mrs. Kellie's sobs began
afresh.
Can SEQ
He stopped, a lump rising In his throat
prevented further words, 4
She understood him, however, ana
ilently went upstairs, and followed by
,er husband entered the room where all
hat was left of their darling lay.
When May awoke from her long sleep
he wondered what had happened. She