Warren sheaf., 1897-01-28

at my desk. For had the gift Of writ
ing bits of stories, and often when the
night had drawn on, and work was put
away, Flora and would sit talking OF
the future, of the day when I should be
famous author, and the drudgery of
the office should be a thing of the past.
"But our happiness was too great to
last. The roses on my darling's face
began to fade, and, though she tried to
smile away my fears, felt sure she was
going to be i'll.
"Then one night when I came from
the Office l found her ill in bed. In
despair I sat down to write a story,
which, if accepted, would enable ME
the seaside. l worked at it all night,
and finished it. Then a week later
received letter at the Office from the
editor telling me that my story had
been accepted, inclosing a check, and
asking for more stories.
''Flora had been growing worse each
day, but now, l thought, she should
soon be better. cashed the check and
bought some luxuries for her, and,
passing a tiower-shop, l went in and
obtained spray of lilies. They were
her favorite flowers.
''Then hurried away home. lcould
hardly walk fast enough, but at last l
reached my little house, and entered.
l ran upstairs, and threw open her bed
room door.
"'Flora,' cried. Success at last, my
darling. You shall go away for few
days now
"She did not answer me. She must
he asleep I thought, and noiselessly
I walked across the room.
81 stood over the bed, looking at my
sweetheart's lovely face. 1t was SO
calm, so beautiful, so pure. There was
sweet smile on her lips, and her hair
was hanging down, framing her face in
gold. My thoughts wandered back to
that day in June, and the words of that
song came back to me.
81 knelt at the side of the bed, and
placing the spray of lilies in my Flora's
little hand, waited in silence, watch.
ing and praying-praying that she
would soon be restored to health again.
''She awoke with little start.
"'I am so glad you have come, Rob.
in she said, as kissed her. 1 have had
such glorious dream. was dreaming
that you had written book, and that
the world was ringing with your name.'
II interrupted her.
"'Perhaps that day is not far off, love.
See. my story has been accepted. and
the editor begs that will send him
some others.
"She did not speak, but the proud
look in her eyes told me what her
thoughts were. Then She saw the lilies
and she kissed me for them"
Robin covered his face with his hands,
and sob shook his frame. He rose
from his chair and walked round the
room. Then he stopped, and, with his
face averted, he finished his story:
I'm less than a week she was dead
She died in my arms. 1 thought she
was better, but it was not to be. She
was too good to live. We were to-,
happy for this world. Heaven would
have had no meaning could we have
lived together longer. And when her
last breath was gone 1 laid her back
gently on the bed, and covered her face
from my sight. Invent Oh my knees and
cursed-cursed my fate and everything
else.
''Now, perhaps, you understand my
fall. why work. th1ught, when l
have nobody to work for?' Ny literary
work was neglected.. lost my situa-
tion at the office, 1 have sunk deeper
and deeper, until now" he paused for
awhile, "now I am Rambling Robin"
Then he came across and stood by
the fire.
''But the innocent prattle Of that lit.
tie child of yours has brought me to
my senses. AS there is a God above, l
will yet make the world ring with my
name. Even if cannot work for nv,
dead Flora, can work for her men,
orys sake. And so will. I start to-
night on the second part of my life. In
two years l will let you know the re-
suit. I will come and see you. Good
BY" .....
I pressed him to stop the night, but
he would not. I persuaded, Linn, how
ever, to take the loan OF few pounds,
and as he walked to the door slipped
note into his hands.
And last Christmas Eve he kept his
promise. He came to see me carrying
small parcel under his arm. It was a
book-the book of the year. He had
written it under a nom de plume. His
name now is known throughout the
English-speaking world, and the book
which made his name is dedicated:
ITO my angel wife and Mabel."-Tit.
Bits. s4.. .s.y ~ "A