The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-02
KISS ME, MAMMA, I CAN'T
 SLEEP"
I.aliias, Home Journal.

The child was so sensitive, so like that little shrinking plant that curis at a breath and shuts its heart from the light.
 The only beauties she possessed were an exceedingly transparent skin and the most mourRfGl, large blue eyes.
 had been trained by very stern, strict, conscientious mother, but l was hardy plant, rebounding after every shock; misfortune could not daunt, though discipline tanned me. fancie.i, alas! tha. must go through the same routine with this delicate creature; as one day when she had displeased me exceedingly by repeat ing an offence, l was determined to punish her severely. was very se- rious all day, and upon sending her to her little couch, l said "Now, my daughter, to punish you, and show you how very, very naughty you have been, shall not kiss you to- night"
 She stood looking at me, astonish- ment personified, with her great, mournful eyes wide open-l suppose she had forgotten her misconduct till than-and left her with big tears dropping down her cheeks and her little red lips quivering.
 Presently, was sent for. "Oh, mamma, you will kiss me; 1 can't go to sleep if you don't!'' she sobbed, every tone of her voice trembling and she held out her little hands.
 Now came the struggle between love and what falsely termed duty. My heart said give her the kiss of peace; my stern nature urged me to persist in my correction that l must impress the fault npon her mind. That was the way had been trained, till was a most submissive child; and l remembered how l had often thanked my mother since for her straightfor- ward course.
 knelt by the bedside. "Mother can't kiss you, Ellen," l whispered, though every word choked me. Her hand touched mine; 1t was very hot, but I attributed it to her excitement. She turned her little grieving face to the wall l blamed myself as the frag- lie form shook with self-suppressed sobs, and crying. "Mother hopes lit- tie Ellen will learn to mind her after this" left the room for the night. Alas in my desire to be severe, for got to be forgiving.
 It must have been twelve o'clock when was awakened by my nurse. Apprehensive, l ran eagerly to the child's chamber; l had had fearful dream.
 Ellen did not know me. She was sitting up, crimsoned from the fore head to the throat; her eyes so bright that I almost drew back aghast at their glances.
 From that night raging fever drank up her lite; and what think you was the incessant piaint that poured into my anguished heart?" "Oh, kiss me, mamma, do kiss me; can't go to sleep. You'll kiss your little Ellen, mamma, won't you? can't go to sleep. I won't be naughty if you'll only kiss me! Oh, kiss me, dear mamma, I can't go to sleep"
 Holy little angel! she did go to sleep one gray morning and she never woke again, never. Her hand was locked in mine and all my veins grew icy with its gradual chill. Faintly the light faded out of the beautiful eyes; winter and winter grew the tremulous lips. She never knew me i; but with her last breath she whis- pered, "I will be good, mamma, if only you'll kiss me-"
 Kiss herl God knows how pas sionate, but unavailing, were my kisses upon her cheek and lips after that fatal night. God knows how wild were my prayers that she msgh: know, if but only once, that I kissed her. God knows how l would have yielded up my very life, could l have asked forgiveness of tbat sweet child.
 Well, grief is unavailing now! She lies in her little tomb there is s mar ble urn at her head and rosebush at her feet; there grow sweet summer flowers there waves the gentle grass there birds sing their maths and ves pers; there the blue sky smiles down to-day and there lies buried the fresh naas nj my heart