Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-02-14

femme finis'. You know Zona's going
ssfa-a-ar away. an 100 haven't said it's
Sall right for iona! Say it, papa dear
est But he could not. not yet, not
THAT.
I" Where's my precious goingy he
ismoancd
lf" Way cross e hills an e big
.sbsidges, not on railroad cars. papa,
maybe an e 'teamboat. cross e lovely
rer, an when G water gets too cold,
an way up to e froat, zen a nangel
comes an teaches how to f'y wiz e
wings. Everybody has wings. Papa
lBShelly, but they don't know the way
ltto f'y. God gives 'em wings when
8ey's. babies, but if they don't use 'em,
NecySall forlets bymeby. Amt at so,
isSsapa Shclly:'
Oh, my darling baby. the angels
have told you!
E8 Les, I'm going wa-a-ay off. They
lAwant me to 80 is velly night. Now,
\ say it, papa, dearest. say it's all right
for Zona! He leaned on the bed
irail and shook with weeping.
81 cannot! he cried in agony, oh.
God in heaven! l cannot say it! can
lnot say it" The baby looked up at
him in surprise, and little gricved.
Dear Papa Shelly, fought we'd
have nice little talk, but 'oo're not
like my own papa officer to-day. Let's
wait till to-mollow-maybe l can wait
TIL to-molloW,' she added doubtfully.
oh, iona, darling child, why do
You want to go?' he asked, almost
/ fiercely.
" There, papa, don't fee bad any
more an I'll tell 90 bout it. 1 want
Ito so. I have somefing to do some
fere, scmefing no uvver baby can do.
iaI want to go home
4 This is home, Zona.'
Yes, it's home here wiz 90, sweet
papa, but up there it's more home
Wy, I've been up there before. an I'm
homesick to see my Jesus an hear
Him talk to me, an I'll be so glad
to hear all the little angels say:
Here's iona Standen come home
again!" But 'oo've not said it, Papa
Shelly, say: cts all right for Zcna"'
Say it now, papa dearest, so 1 can
hear 100, but I'll hide my eyes from
you
"This delicate impulse touched his
soul to the very quick. He fell upon
q his knees and the blood forsook his
heart He almost felt that he was
dying.
.l "'Oh, my God, help me to say it! 1
will say it! do say it! 1t is all right
for Zona! He fay as one dead, yet
with q conqueror's smile on his lips.
With a loving touch upon his cheek
the little one said:
Papa, I knew 90 would say it for
my Jesus. Now 'oor star will be al
O1y y,r;rr
It, Papa Shelly, don't lose it, 'oor booti-
full, bootiful start! And the little white
soul sped away"
l Aunt Helena and 1 wiped away our
tears and sat silent. The canary had
sung over ana over his one minor
strain. and then rolled himself into a
golden ball. The tall buildings seemed
q blurred, for the sunshine had crept
around the house unnoticed.
"There is more, Aunt Nella," I half
whispered.
Eyes, Elvie, in one year. to a day
4 the dear old grandfather went out to
81 find ZOna. And in half a year more
our great strong, handsome officer
followed him."
81 "Amt Helena!'
I eyes, like a tower swallowed up In
" the mist. His light went out at noon
Il 1T is just - O'clock said DR.. Mars
ii ton. The dying man heard him.
eyes, Emily, darling, 1 expect to be
up to luncheon. Put iona in her higl
81 chair close beside me- He unused q
moment. NO, not here. Well, it's al
b right for Zona.' The old, satisfied Joy
came back into his face. Elvie, and
d do believe it was forever and ever"
# The canary awoke again. when the
! last rays Of sunshine famed on st
\ Aubyn's windows Ike wall Of fire
Bump! bump! bump! down a dozer
i stairs rolled a rollicking Tokay.
4 mis- Helena. Doctah Mawston say
4 you alls's ter come in de house, less
y yo's gwine kotch 70 def O. COLI" called
i Aunt Raney from the lower balcony.