Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-06-26

DO not trem ole so. Ihe 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 fiut-
tered idly in the breeze. The warm sun
fell across the foot of the bed. A tiny
bird perched on a budding bough and
trilled gladstone song. Itwas 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 mel Oh! the Joy and peace when
my tired head can rest IN her arms once
morel How happy we will be, mother
and ]. And we will watch for you and
father, Nan. Yes, we'll watch for you all.
See the sun yonder. How warm it isl
Spring is so near. How l long to stay
and see the flowers, Nan. But mother
is waiting and l must soon be gone.
The sun will soon set See it's nearing
the horizon now! And night will soon
come. But l will not be here. So
different from last nightr A spasm of
pain crossed the pale face.
"'You must plant a white rose over
my head. Nan, l was 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
Father was bending over 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 mo
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 l am gone. She has
been the dearest sister in the world.
Always so kind and good to me, father.
was so easily led astray! Dear old
Twickham, forgive your boy for the
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
could not refuse. And l sang; family
at first, but gaining strength as pro-
ceeded.
"'Tired! oh, yes! so tired, dear!
The day has been so very long;
But shad'w cleaning 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 good night can not see,
The light has grown so dim!
"'Tired all, yes! so tired, dear!
shall soundly sleep o.night,
With ne'er a dream nor quaking fear,
To wake in the mornings light
"All was silent as death when ] |
ceased. Then with gentle sigh he
spoke:
kiss me, Nan, father and dear old |
Twickham. Mother and l will watch
for you all. And now goodnight We |
bent over him to catch the whispered
words.
land now goodnight, I can not
see. The light has grown so DIM
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. all, yes! so tired, dear
l shall soundly sleep tonight,
With ne'er dream nor quaking fear.
To wake is the mornings light"
AGNES ROGERS