The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-05-17
LINKED TO HEAVEN.
SIS there no hope, doctor?''

LINKED TO HEAVEN.
''Is there no hope. doctor?"
''Alasi no, madam.
Mrs. Kellie turned away with a sharp
cry. How could she bear to see her
darling child drift away from her into
that land from whence there is no re-
turning.
When the doctor had gone, she sank
feebly on her knees, and mOaned pite-
ously.
A voice, faint and broken, came
through the half-opened door.
Mamma, mamma! Where are you?"
Mrs. Kellie started. She must not
leave that crv unanswered, so breathing
| prayer to Heaven, she rose calm and
resigned and presently was by the bed
side of little Eva.
Mamma dear, where is May?'
'She has not come home yet, dear
est; she won't be long. Do you want
her?"
Eva looked up with sweet smile.
"Yes; l want-to say goodbye to
her"
Mrs. Kellie strove 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 -good-bye-to papa
for me. do not think 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
| from one who had never been separated
from her for day-her dearly-loved
| sister.
| AS if in answer to that mOurnful cry,
the door opened and a little figure came
hastily into the room, and crossing over
to the bed, bent with q loving smile ov-
| er the sick child.
Eva darling, are you better? See, l
| have brought some of those white roses
you like so much" she said, placing a
| few fragrant buds in her hand.
Eva's face lighted up with pleased de-
light.
''Thank you so much, May. Thought
you were never coming, dear. | was
afraid should have to go without see
ing you again.
"Without seeing me! Why where are
| you goingP' May asked in surprise.
Il think feel-the angels will soon
come-to fetch me-home,"
May threw herself wildly on the bed
beside her sister, and her arms closed
tightly around her neck.
.'Hush! Eva darling. Don't talk like
that. You are not going to leave me
you sha'n't!' she cried, her voice quiv-
ering with suppressed emotion. q can't
live without you-I can't t."
Mays passionate despairing words
reused Mrs. KelEe from her absorbing
grief.
Very gently she talked to May. show
ing her how wrong it was to 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 a wounded heart in lis very
hopelessness, 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
glistening on her cheeks, and her hand
locked in Evas who was lying with
closed eyes, look of peaceful tranquil
ity on her face.
Mamma"
Mrs. Kellie started she had thought
her child slept.
Mamma dear" Apang shot through
the mothers heart, as she heard those
words so feebly spoken; the voice so
low and weak, fell on her ears like Il
death knell.
Il think-the angels are-coming to
take me-home. ="
) mo, no, my darling; not yet
81 think so-mamma. viii you lift
me up-I want to kiss-May.
! Mrs. Kcllie did as she desired. Very
tenderly did Eva press her lips to her
sisters sleeping face; how little did May
think that while she slept, the one dear
er than life was fast leaving this world
/ for heaven.
Presently Mrs Kellie felt the arms
entwined around her neck unclasp and
fall inertly down, and the head droor
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
the side of her dead sister, carried hei
into her own room, and slowly descend
3 ed the stairs to meet her husband, who
had just entered the house, to tell hin
that the Angels of Death, during his alb
sence, had entered and left his home
more desolate by one little life
= He bowed his head on his hands anC
@ the deep groan that broke from hi
y white lips showed how dearly he haC
loved his little daughter.
"And May?" he asked presently in 1
3 strained husky voice.
.e "She is asleep. She does not know
yet,'' she answered, look of uneasincs
T. crossing her face.
poor May, poor little darling. How
can we tell her"
). 81 do not know. She will break he
heart" and Mrs. Kellie's sobs begal
afresh.
Can / see"
He stopped, lump rising in his throa
! prevented further words.
She understood him, however, an
silently went upstairs, and followed b
her husband entered the room where a
that was left of their darling lay.
Il When May awoke from her long slee