San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-19
ELSA
Written by Edith Aiken for the Light.

"One minute after 1 drink this 1
shall be in painless sleep from
which 1 can defy that monster! and
all the goody people who fear con-
tamination. Poor little body what
will they do with you? Well I must
not think or my courage will fail me.
The degradation of suicide will be
less, than the degradation of life on
such terms. Ten minutes to nine
when I hear the key in the door L
will drink the precious draught."
She returned to the par1or taking
the glass with her, and went towards
the lounge with the intention of lying
down, but slight rustic along the
little hallway, leading from the hall
door to the parlor, startled her, and
turning her head in that direction,
she might we'll be startled.
A sunny faced woman, or girl she
seemed to Elsa, stood in the door
way, her long bright hair falling in a
fluffy mass halfway 10 her feet, only
partially kept in place by white
knitted scarf, which was nearly I'M
bound, and the furlined silken cloak
was not only white with snow, but
had been Embossed by the boisterous
wind and only half covered the flow
ing robe of blue satin. Who could
this bright creature be? out in such
a terrible night in garments fit only
for chamber of luxury
Nellie Sommers did not pause an
instant, but came swiftly towards
dumb; wondering Elsa, and taking
the glass from her unresisting hand,
threw it across the room; then with
words only half articulated kissed
her lips, her brow, her eyes; and
even the cold hands held firmly, be-
gan to grow lifelike under the pres
sure of the visitors warm lips. Elsa
was bewildered, charmed, and though
she did not dare to hope for life and
freedom both, she stood passive I'M
der this curious caressing. trying to
understand the murmured words,
or trying to recognize her loving
visitor, but she could do neither. 1t
was perhaps five minutes after the
entrance Of Nellie that mans step
was heard, coming from the outer
door. Elsa cried with sudden an
guish as she remembered the shivered
glass. 80 am lostr'
But it was not the tall kingly look
ing tyrant who darkened the door,
but grave kindly faced man stood
regarding her, with an expression
she could not fail to read, though the
whole proceeding was an enigma she
could not understand. One thing
she did observe, that was the resem-
blance between her two visitors.
But she had no time to speculate.
"Quick, quick ArthurW urged Nell
lie as she finished wrapping her
friend in the silken cloak and white
cloud, and pushing her towards him.
'"The other carriage Is at the door!
walk down the stairs"-
"But you?" Elsa looked back after
taking Arthur's offered arm and held
him.
"Never mind me, I am safe, you
are not! go, go! or you will be to late!"
Elsa and Arthur hurried away
down the stairs, passing the elevator
rushing up its well as they went.
There was another carriage waiting
nea- their own, but they gave it no
Thought, and as soon as Mrs. Roberts
entered the door which Arthur held
open for her he followed and closed
it, and James who had received in
structions, drove rapidly away through
the binding storm.
Nellie had followed them Just far
enough behind to escape their notice,
and as the carriage rolled noiselessly
away through the dry feathery snow
the delicate little woman who seemed
10 risk so much for her mothers
fliend, darted away unobssryed into