The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-06-07
ton had wearied her more than she


knew.
"We will rest little" she added
athen-then we shall fly away to the
Southland"
After little they started once more,
and turning their faces to the south,
followed the line of the great lake;
but the sun did not seem SO bright
and the sky was decking fast with
clouds.
The air, too, suddenly grew cold,
and beneath them the wind sang a
weary monotonous tone among the
telegraph wires.
For awhile they travelled in silence.
They could see the busy world below
them and hear the voices of the people
in the streets, but their eyes followed
the gray line of the lake, and the mys-
tic Southland lay before them.
For hours they journeyed, or. nest
ling under the caves of some friendly
root, rested with their bills to the
south. AS the day wore on, the peri
DDS of rest became longer and longer,
and the eyes of the bobolinks began to
wear tired, hunted look.
81 can go no farther" said the white.
throat at last. 'The Southland seems
SO far away. Let US rest until to
morrow"
"Yes. let us rest--to-morrow we will
seek the Southland again."
So crawling under the caves of q
big frame house, the bobolinks sought
for the rest they needed so badly.
The sun had gone behind the clouds
and the blue sky had long since disap-
peared. The wind, creeping across
the hills and gathering strength as it
came, swept along the country road
and whistling through the caves,
made the bobolinks press close for
warmth.
"How cold it is" said the white
throat, "and / am very i'll and hun
cry"
q will go and find you food," he
said. "Even in winter there must be
food in this big world for those who
look for it.
She demurred little, but finally
said: "Go," and with look of tender
ness in his eyes he few away, and the
white-throat was left alone.
After while night began to fall.
The last golden spear of sunlight dis
appeared and the air grew bitter cold.
A solitary star peeped out and then,
lost behind bank of clouds, disap-
peared in the armament.
Then down came the white-faked
snow, and. falling like down from an
angels wings, covered the earth with
a new mantle of crystal ermine.
Under the caves where the lonely
bobolink crouched the snow did not
come, but through the semi-darkness
she could see the soft snow-flakes fall
ing, and her heart bled for the boco-
link who had gone away.
The night grew colder. The snow
clouds passed away. and the solitary
star, with a million fellows, shone
down on the white earth.
Colder and still colder grew the
night. The white-throat, waiting
with bursting heart for the bobilink's
return. felt her blood congealing, and
sobbed as she felt the lethargy of death
stealing over her cold and tired body.
Suddenly she heard moan-a low,
faint cry, that came up to her in the
darkness like the wall of lost child.
Then a voice broke the stiffness. It
was strangely weak and low.
"My love-" it whispered.
Her heart leaped.
"My life," she cried; and then they
were Notwithstanding and dying Of
cold, but still together.
Il have brought you nothing" he
said. Il lost my way-I thought
would never see you again"
"Never mind" she whispered, "nevel
mind. If we must die, let US die to-
together"
aAnd we shall never see the South.
land" he said, in voice of ineffable
sadness.
"We shall have no need to see it, .
she answered softly, and then they
put their bills together and kissedsas
only two loving birds can kiss.
Farewell, my husband!"
Farewell, my life!"
That was all
A brief silence, sigh, duttering
of wings, and two feathery forms wenl
whirling down to the snowy earth.
The bobolings had been frozen tc
| death.