The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-08-03

my face to hers, while she laughed and
cried In reciting to me In broken words
the prayer5of her love, while she spoke
20 me as fervent devotees to God,
felt that had given to one human be-
ing the equivalent Of lifetime OF hap
lniness
] viii not tell yon how arranged to
obtain the consent Of my guardian. ]
did not ask that Of my fiancee-I knew
she would pardon me afterward The
banns were published, and made all
preparations for regular marriage.
/ During tho weeks which followed she
lived In ecstasy. Her malady seemed
relenting. A miraculous beauty seemed
to shine about her like ON aureole. She
dazzled me; she filled my heart with q
t'sad love, like that of mothers for frail,
beautiful children who cannot live.
had her placed In special room at the
hospital, where she received the care of
the best physicians and had sister OF
| charity to watch over her night and
day. passed the greater part of my
time with her. could not satiate my
self with that adoring gaze, with that
beatitude which each word. each ges-
ture of mine bestowed. How we'll ! re-
member the twilight hours when /
would sit beside her, Watching her pale
face blend harmoniously with the shad-
ows, while she murmured 20 me her
words Of lore like the verses Of song:
Better than Godi Better than the
Virginl Better than my life and the
life of the universei's
Thns time flowed by, and the we'd
ding day came. After the civil mar
riage they sat up an altar In her cham
Der and dressed her In rich bridal robes.
She seemed TO live in an atmosphere of
perfect bliss She was a. beautiful as
day In springtime when it draws to-
ward sunset and misty glory rises
over the hills and lakes and the drowsy
flowers droop their heads In sleep. She
lived 30 years I'm that hour. have but
to close my eyes, and zee her again.
Her eyes were 90 large and bright that
they seemed to efface her pale visaga.
A sanity smile played upon her lips
Her little hands were clasped as she lis
tened TO the voice OF the priest Our
fingers Joined, and she trembled when,
at last. she pronounced the great "Yes, =
for she put In it all her religion, all the
force OF her being; then she sank back,
her strength exhausted. But what de-
shCious fatigue, what blissful wearinessi
Tenderly she whispered as she dreamed
and drew me near her lips. The mur-
derous shadow Of death crept rapidly
enward. Her spirit wandered i'm the
faroR land Of twilight saw her
cheeks grow leaden hued and her tenn
Piles hollow. She felt NOT the approach
Of death, but continued TO love, 10 be
happy. 10 forget herself In her dream
divine. Her head was pillowed On my
arm, and I watohed her dark eyes grow
wider. wider yet Hsr hair ehone upon
the pillow like . meah of gold. The
silken bridal robe enveloped her like .
cloud s
The sum had sek. and the daylight
was fading. when ahe murmured:
- Thou. Lowest me, Jacquesf Thou low
ess the poor giKlfs Mcn DAeui We win
live long ISesl that I caxnce die !
oaanos die now. z.
Il ~ ., IL
Il Her yoics poandssas If ahs had turned
hacaatt tshs entrance cG that mysterious
land 20 call to me once naoEe se is like
bellssheard FAR on npcn che SEA Her
body grows cold I'm its. rich winding
aheek but she no longer suffers She
repeats: tft
II cannot diel''
A vague smile hovexs over her face,
which always wears that look os inn.
mite love. Of happiness without shad-
ow. My heart IL still 40 that moment
lam al that loyes in the world am
paothez, father, lover. She muir
murs again: ].
II lore thee We will live In the
country yiolets' S.
Her lips part with smile Of meta
Bile JOY, and she is at rest forever
/ IL ID evening, and ! gaze through the
gathering shadows at the outline OF the
slender figure in its bridal robe Ny
sorrow II as profound as 1t Ii sweet, for
! feel that much will be pardoned me
because ] have soothed ope poor, loving
little heart and sweetened with happi-
~ee.nr he hs%knY SsrxwS - lnm@t1 80.