Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-11-08

VIII Eel AA1&.
Her sohs clicked her. Speech failed:
she cunld only answer him by a press
ure Of the feeble hands that chung so
fondly IN her own.
He sank back ON his pillow. exhaust
Ell by these few words. The sight OF
his weakness recalled her TO herself.
She started up and brought him warm
wine, and soaked bread in Ii, and held
IL 10 his lips, and saw him take the
welcome nourishment, with q gladness
and relief beyond all words He .ook-
ef up N her gratefully. How good
you are he said: but you are always
good. How did you come here: Have
yuu heard: Do you know
Yes" she slid, softly. Il know all.
Do not trouble IN think OF IL. i viii
nnrSe Won back IN health, and when you
are well and strong"
He laid his hanis on her lips DO
not Deceive yourself, dear" he said.
II shall never be well and strong again.
My life is over. / am only sorry that
IL bears no record on its pages for he
world 10 read. = failure" Her
tears fen fast and thick. She could not
speak n del:al OF his words, for her
heart told her only too well how terri
bly, near the truth they We're. She
was silent in the breathless hush Of an
~unspeakahle awe: her heart stood still,
as if some cold hand had seized and
chilled its warmth and life. Tell me-"
he said again. m feeble, broken accents,
ARE you weddeds Was it true what
she Said"
NO" she answered.. while her face
flushed with shame for the falsity of
her sister. and then grew pale beneath
his longing gaze, that was at once SO
sad. and tender, and earnest
1T is too late now he said, with
slow and painful effort. That denial
would have sladdened me once-would
have given me hope and energy, but
now"
DO not despair" she entreated,
kneelinG there and clasping his hands
as they moved r~estleSsly to and fro.
God Is good-there is stu hope-you
may recover"
4 wan, pitiful smile, crossed his lips.
His eyes turned to the painting on the
easel by the window; turned sadly.
cdressingiy, as though the lifeleSs things
OF his own creation were still dear
above all else.
Il WIS so proud of it." he said, sim
ply. Il spent all my thoughts, hopes.
time In p~erfecting and creating IL, and
then, at the very moment OF success,
l found it-so!'
She followed his gaze TO the painted
daub that had ruthlessly Destroyed all
the beauty and completeness of his
brush, and shuddered as she looked.
1T was my death-blow," he said.
sadly, while the slow, hot tears rolled
down his sunken cheeks. Some how
i never had the heart TO work again.
1t was weak. foolish Of mel know
it-but I could not help 1t. My heart
died then-with that"
Sobs were her only answer. Perhaps
il Is best SO, after ALL" he said, at
length. II am glad TO see you once
more, Genna: glad wen though / think
of the wasted years that might have
been SO happy for us-had / been
more trustful, for you do care for me
a little, Genna, do you notT'
"Oh, my love, my dear?' she sobbed
In her great anguish, more than for
life, more than for anything on the
whole wide earth!"
His eyes TUNED on her with a glad
ness beyond all words. He stretched
ont his weak arm toward her. kiss
me. DEAR" he nurmured family. See,
i am too weak even TO touch your
lips"
She stopped down. her face radiant
with the great pure love that thrilled
her heart now. Ter arms stole about
his throat. her lips sought his. Live,
oh, liver she cried. Live for me, my
love- my lover
He sighed like a tired child, while,
with his head on her breast and her
lips upon his own, he rested In the
Then suddenly she felt his lips grow
cold--his eyes closed-he trembled and
was stjn.
Her lover had passed from her arms
to the arms of death!
She rose and staggered TO her feet,
while that cold. still form lay there on
the narrow bed. Her brain seemed on
fire. her lips moved without sound.
rs he dead?" asked the child, visit
fully, as he met her on the stairs.
She bowed her and passed on.
rs he dead? Have you money to pay
for decent burial?" said the old, wrin-
Killed. crone, who lived in the house
anu lft lAt s1tIuS W ltLuIlS pun dhA
wretched as herself.
Genna's hand sought for the few re-
manning coins that were still In her
possession. Us that enough?" she
asked.
Enough MOI" exclaimed the wo-
man. scornfully. But, no matter, the
students will give me a silver coin
for that corpse OF his. He was a hand
some youth when he came here first"
The girl shivered at the horrible
words. "For Gods sake spare him
that indignity" she cried. His life
has been one long sorrow; Net him rest
In peace now"
He shall. If Won give me the money"
Her hand went to the necklet of
nearls around her throat. Ii was her
one ornament. 1t had been her moth
er's and her grandmother's. and then
left TO her as a precious and valuable
legacy: vet at this moment she had no
thought Of these things, She drew 1t
of and handed it to the woman 1T
is Of valve" she said. simply. "Do
what is necessary. Promise rue you
will keep faith If / trust your ward."
The woman looked at the simple, no
BILE face with involuntary reverence.
II promise" she said, las / hope for
salvation myself. Rut you-will Won