Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-11-21


no response and was seemingly uncon-
scious.
Suddenly message came from my
house mot a hundred yards 1t was
away saying my husband wanted me
at once, as one Of my children was Ill.
looked at the nurse, who assured mo
there was nothing immediate impend-
Ing, so, STOPPING over my poor friend,
l whispered-at the same time press
Ing a kiss on her forehead-that half
an hour should see me at her side
again. But she took no notice, and
much against my will I hastily and
noiselessly left the room.
Throwing a shawl over my head, /
hurried across the square, and as l
passed the church the clock struck IL,
and suddenly remembered that to-day
was my birthday!
l got back in less than half an hour
and on my return heard, to my ever
lasting sorrow, that l had not been
gone ten minutes before my dear L.
became restless and uneasy, then looked
hastily round the room, gave a cry,
then there came a rush of blood to her
mouth, and after few painful strug-
giles she sank back, gasped once or
twice and never moved again,
OF course I thought then, and do to
this day, that she was looking round
the room for me and that she had died
feeling had broken my faith with
her. A bitter, never-failing regret!
I have given this light sketch Of the
feelings which existed between me and
my poor friend (before narrating the
circumstances of her supernatural visit
to mel just to emphasize the facts Of the
alluring fascination, the intense affec-
ton, which existed between us during
her lifetime, and which, I firmly be-
lieve, have lasted beyond her grave.
Quite year and half after her
death my poor L., with what mo-
tive l know not-uness it may have
been, as l sometimes fondly hope, to
assure me that she understood and
sympathi1ed with my sorrow at having
failed her at the moment Of her eX-
tremity-appeared to me. She came
once, but never again. 1t occurred
thus:
I had been suffering all day from
brow ague and had gone early to bed,
but not to sleep. All the evening I had
been kept painfully awake by that same
church clock which have mentioned
above.
1t seemed to me to strike oftener,
louder and more slowly than any clock
had ever had the misfortune to come
across. OF course my ailment Of the
moment caused the clocks vagaries to
appear peculiarly painful, and l bore
the annoyance very restlessly, with my
face turned pettishly to the wall, but
when the midnight hour began to
chime felt as though could bear it
no longer. Mutterng an impatient ex-
clamation, turned in my bed SO as to
face the room, and looking across 1t I
saw my poor Ii standing close to a
screen between me and the door, look
ing at me.
She was in her usual dress, wearing
what was then called a "cross-over,"
which was tied behind, while her bon
net, which she was always in the habit
of taking off as she came upstairs was,
as usual, hanging by the ribbon on her
arm. She had smile on her face, and
distinctly noticed her lovely little
white ears, which were always my adj
miration and which were only half COW
cred by her soft brown hair.
She stood-a minute it seemed--look-
ing at me, then she glided toward me,
and I, half apprehensive that she was
about to throw herself on my bed, ex-
claimed, jumping up in sitting pos
ture:
Dearest! what brings you here so
late?"
With deep reverence be it spoken;
but as soon as these words were out of
my mouth I was irresistibly reminded
of those spoken, holy writ tells us, by
st. Peter at The awful moment of the
TRANSPORTATION! Awed and dazed at
the sight Of the spiritual visitants, we
are told he uttered words mot knowing
what he said" These words Of mine
also seemed to leap to my lips, with
but little meaning in them, if any.
AS soon, however, as my voice had
ceased the apparition disappeared and
remained some moments mOtionless.
was not frightened, but felt colder
than had felt I'M my life, and have
never felt so cold since, but the moist
ure seemed to pour off my body. call
ed no one to my assistance. All real
lied was that Goa had permitted me
to see her once more, and that perhaps
he might send her to me again. But he
has not done So and probably new he
never will
lay awake all the night afterward,
hoping for-and, l think, almost ex-
pecting again, and after the day
had dawned 1 fell asleep.
Before telling my story to anyone and
unRpeakably all the doubling
and sarcastic speeches which such
would inevitably call forth ]
sent for my doctor, an old and trusted
friend, and after making him talk
nationally To me- for some time asked