The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-09-09
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER MIX.
ATONEMENT
Kathleens mission was accomplished
There was no more for her to do. She went
back to the Rue Git lie Cmur broken IN
spirit and in body. She lay ON her bed, and
it seemed to her that her life now was one
long Sunday, time of apathy and dumb,
dull rest-jOyless, hopeless. There was
nothing more for her to do in this life. She
had given the victim over to his execu-
TONERS. She was told that the end was GER
tain. There could be no pardon, no COM
mutation Of the laws last penalty for such
a wretch as Serlzier. France would rise up
with one loud cry Of vengeance were there
any pulling for mercy hero.
The slow days wore on-dull gray days;
storms of wind, driving showers, anon tho
fOgs Of November floating up from tho
neighbOrlng riyer-and still Kathleen lay on
the bed or the sofa, helpless, PROSTATE, rs
some pale flower that has been torn from
Its stem and flung aside to wlther. Rose
had brought doctor 10 see her; but lie did
not even profess the ability to cure.
"There is nothing organcally wrong" he
said. "Your sister must have had very
fine constitution TO survive what she has
gone through. 1t is a case of extreme weak
ness, loss of appetite, slceplessness- things
that tell without actual disease. If you
could get her away into the country, fresh
air and change Of scene might do sOmethng;
but she is too weak to be moved
1--WE will take her away directly she is
strong enough to 60" said Rose.
The doctor thought that time would never
come; but he held his peace, took his fee,
and departed.
Rose and Philip watched the fading life
In that quiet room on the upper story as de-
votedly as II the thread of their own lives
had been intertwlned with it. But their
tenderness, their little plots and eYpcdients,
were all useless. They could not lure Kath-
leen from her solitude, or bcguiIo her into
fOrgetfulness Of her grief.
while was watching for that man
forgot everything, except the task In hand"
she said; II lived and breathed only for
that My brain was burnt up with one
fiery thought; and in those days | hardly
grieyed for GastOn-l hardly knew how
much had lost; but now think of him,
and brood upon him all day long"
"But il this goes on you will go mad or
die" said Philip, standing beside her sofa,
looking down at her with honest earnest
eyes, full Of affection; "and that will break
Roses heart. Remember how she has rear
ed you and cared for you'll To her you are
more than q common sister. She has been
to You as mother; and you owe her llIal
duty.
Let her ask me anything, except toliyc."
answered Kathleen. II cannot live with
out him. o, she must let me gO-in charity
she will let me gO-where | shall be at rest
for ever, as he Is. She hes you and the lit
tie one. She can spare this broken life.'
But she cannot spare yOu-norI, nor the
little one; and 1t is your duty to live for our
saSes. Your natural grief we would respect,
Kathleen; but this inOrdinate grief, this OBJ
stinate despair"
Had he died natural death, would
mourn for him as other widows mourn for
their husbands; | would bow TO the will Of
God. But he was murdered"
"And you have brought his msrderer TO
Justice. Is not that enough, Kathleen"
II wonder whether 1 shall live to hear his
sentence, TO know that he has suffered q
murderer's doomp she murmured; and
then she turned her face to the wall, and
would talk no more that day
Rose and her husband began TO despair.
1t seemed 10 them that Kathleen's vital
power was ebblng day by day, gradually,
The loss Of strength was
only indicated by the facts Of her daily
life. Last week she had risen early every
morning, and had swept and busted her
rooms, with only a little help from Rose,
who was ever on the watch 10 aid and COM
fort her. This week she could only crawl
about little, busting GastOn's books with
tremulous hands, arranging and rearrang-
Ing his desk or his bOokshelyes with llut-
tered nervous air. A little while ago she
had lain on her bed or her sofa all day, as II
in mere purposeless apathy. Now the time
had come when she lay there from sheer
weakness, broken down, fading before their
very eyes.
They had gradually schooled themselves
to bow to the rod. They began 10 talk 10
each other about her as Of one fOredOOmed,
precious, inasmuch as she was
to be with them but q few weeks-perchanc
but few days. They talked sOrowfully,
yet with resignation, Of a future in which
she was to have no part, save as sweet
sad memory.
How fond she would have been Of you,
my angel" said Rose, prattlng mothers
tender prattle to the baby on her knees, III
she could but have lived TO see you grow
app
One day, when the invalid upstairs had
sunk 30 low that 1t seemed as II she could
iardly last n tho end Of tho week, Philip
0urand came past the little ercrcrie which
mad once been SuzOR BIichers, on his way
ZONE. 1t was between four aud Eve, and
already dusk, and he was startled to soc the
door Of TIE shop oDen and light within.