The National tribune., 1885-06-11
No. 14-Mother! before you go, say that you
forgive me.
Woman.-I will see you tomorrow.
Doctor tsotto oce).-To morrow-she will
be gone.
No. Ii with a wild cry).-Mother!
Woman.-I will see you o-morrow-Jane.
Goodnight. Goodbye.

| Charles.-Whose is this magnificent funeral
James-Don't you know? Poor little Ev,
Fortunes. Her mother has done it well. 4
| midnight Anglican mass choral service, tapers
catafaique, all in the most correct style. Th
pomps and vanities to the last hour; and th'
| worm imbeddcd in velvet and silver.
| Charles-That pretty little creature dead
| What terrible thing! And she looked so full
| of life, so lovely, when we saw her only 81
short time ago Aud now she is dead!
James.-Yes. she died day or two ago.
saw it in paper. And this is the mass befor,
intermeat Very fne is it not7
Charlcs.--If it is a measure of the mother!
| love- she must be broken hearted indeed!
JameS.-At all events it is a measure of hel
pride. Do you see her there. knccling by Mrs
Waters? How Mrs. Waters weeps! Of the TIVE
one would say she was the mother. See how
white and stern and stony Mrs. Fortune looks
Her hair and face are Of one color. She look:
like something carved out of marble; like some
one whose life has received check and whose
blood no longer flows, but stagnates in hel
veins.
Charles.-You told me her name was Medea
She is Medea! She looks capable of the last
expression of cruelty, and in the very pres
ence of death would neither bend nor falter
There is something truly awful about her. Sh.
makes my blood freeze.
James.-To mo she is study. wish I knew
HcT scCfct. men i SuOuiu uuutIStJUU
CharleS.-What secret2
James.-That is just it. Who knows? But
she has one. And no one will ever find it out
vi.
Edward Fortune New York "A letter from
Aunt NJ. with black edged envelope. (Tear;
it open in an agitated manner, reads rapidly
and keeps silent3
Gertrude-What is it. Edward? My dear
wi has banp ord f,;, hfnt
! me to see you look like this! What is it?
Edward Tin broken voice}.-P0or little
Cousin Eyy is dead. Read that. fThsows ovel
a newspaper cutting and Mrs. Fortunes letter.
Gertrude (readsl. - Died suddenly of fever
in London. Eve. the only child Of the late Gen
Laurence l.. Fortune; deeply lameHted by hei
sOrrOwing mother and large circle of mourn.
ing friends" Poor little Evyi How dreadful
how terrible! ,
Edward.-Dead! Cousin Evy dead! Sweet
child! My poor Evy!
Gertrude.-My poor husbands ] know how
fond you were of her. So was she Of you. She
was like your little sister.
Edward covers his face in his hands. After
pause he says in strange, unreal way).-
Yes, like my little sister.
Gertrude (wiping her eyes. and still lingering
the letter).-I see Aunt M. has sent drawing
of the monument she is going to put up. How
beautiful it is: how all those flowers stand out
But look, Edward-hOw strange! Here is a
snakes head among the flowers. This is a
eucharis, and the snake lies hidden behind,
just peeping out from the petals. Why has she
had this snake this hideous reptile, in dear
little Evy's monument? What an extraordinary
idea! What does it meauf Can you guess,
Edward?
Edward (excitedly and harshly). - How
should l know, Gertrude? Why do you ago
nizc me with such questions? What should
know of snakes and flowers and Aunt Ms mad
fancies?
Gertrude {soothingly).-Dear husband. did I
vex your did not mean to do so. But it is
strange device for Evy's monument; and
do not understand why Aunt NJ. has chosen it.
Edward with an effort Probably she had
no meaning at all; or. if any. she wished to
emblemize the fever, the sudden death, which
took her away so soon.
Gertrude. yes. that must be it! Aunt
NJ. has always such delicate fancy; and pooc
little Evy was indeed very euclaris among
girls Don't you think so. husband2 But
know you do! You were always so good to
her-and she was so like your little sister.
Homo Journal.