The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-06-28

| do not tremble so.' The great tears
welled up in his eyes and rolled slowly
down the pale cheeks. / was dumb,
struggling with the terrible choking in
my throat. The window curtain flut-
tered idly in the breeze. The warm sun
fell across the foot of the bed. A tiny
bird perched on budding bough and
| tril1ed gladsomc song. twas mockery!
Bitter mockery!-these indications of
the coming spring. How could the
world be bright, with this young life
ebbing out so fast Oh. so fast
"'Nan, I've told father all. He is so
| kind, so kind You will be lonely, Nan,
yes, so lonely without your Archie!
But shall be safe with mother. Dear
! mother, how anxiously she is watching
for me! Oh! the joy and peace when
my tired head can rest in her arms once
more! How happy we will be, mother
and I. And we will watch for you and
| father, Nan. Yes. we'll watch for you all.
See the sun yonder. How warm it is!
Spring is so near How l long to stay
and see the flowers, Nan. But mother
is waiting and / must soon be gone.
The sun will soon set. Sec tits nearing
the horizon now! And night will soon
come. But l will not be here. So
different from last nightp A spasm of
pain crossed the pale face.
"'You must plant white rose over
my head. Nan, l wes always so fond of
them, you know. Come and see the
roses when they nod above me. There's
the terrible pain again Call father
quick
"Fasiier was bending ever him be-
fore the sound left his lips. In few
moments the pain left him and he
opened his eyes again.
"'There, it is gone; but has left me
very weak. Come nearer to me, all of
you. Father, lift me higher. lean not
breathe. Father, dear, you will be
good to Nan when / am gone. She has
been the dearest sister in tho world.
Always so kind and good to me, father.
i was so easily led astray! Dear old
Twickham, forgive your boy for tho
pangs he has caused your faithful heart
to feel. Now, Nan dear, sing to me.
Just once, Nan. This will be the last.
The very lastn"
''Oh, how could 1 sing! The words
would choke me. But his eyes were
fixed so yearningly on my face that L
could not refuse. And l sang; family
at first, but gaining strength as pro-
ceeded.
"'Tired! oh, yes! so tired, dear!
TIE day has been so very long,
But shaGwy gloam,ng draweth near,
IT'S time for the evening song.
"Tm ready for blest rest, at last;
Ready to say goodnight
| The sunset glory darkens fast,
Tomorrow will bring light.
"'Sing once more, "Abide with me-"
That sweetest evening hymn
| And now goodnight" can not see
The light has grown so dim
"'Tired! ah yes so tired, dear!
shall soundly sleep tonight,
With ne'er dream nor quaking fear,
Ta wake in the mornings light
"All was silent as death when I
ceased. Then with a gentle sigh he
spoke:
"'Kiss me, Nan, father and dear old
Twickham. Mother and / will watch
for you all. And now goodnight We
bent over him to catch the whispered
words.
"'And row goodnight, l can not
see. The light has grown so dimH-
''His head fell back on fathers arm.
Our erring boy was dead"
The dying embers fell apart, scatter
ing shower of sparks upon the hearth.
The sad voice ceased, and deep silence
fell upon the room. Without the snow
fell soft and still. The night was dark
and the hour was late.
"Tired! ah yes so tired, dear!
shall soundly sleep tonight,
| With ne'er dream nor qualSing fear,
To wake In the mornings light"
| AGNES ROGERS.