Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-01-28

voice as sweet and pure as was the
singer:
Her face is fair, her heart Is true.
As spotless as she's bonnie, o!
The opening gowan, wet wi dew,
Nae purer is than Mamie. o!
She was Singing her sun-bonnet in
her hand, and the sun was playing with
her golden hair. Her neck was bare.
it's whiteness contrasting with her bon-
ME, sunburnt face.
when she saw me she stopped and
blushed. Then she threw on her bon
net, and walked on hurriedly.
''She was girl from the neighboring
farm. l fell in love with her, and we
met in the wood, unknown to anyone.
Then my father heard. He forbade me
TO see her, and told me if disobeyed
him he would turn me from the house.
II met Flora the same night, and
persuaded her, on that glorious noon
south together, and / married her. i
was successful in obtaining a clerkship,
and after my work at the office was
done, my wife would sit in the little
chair by my side, whilst l sat writing
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 l would sit talking of
the future, of the day when ] should be
famous author, and the drudgery of
the Office should be 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 ill.
'"Then one night when I came from
the office L found her ill in bed In
despair / sat down to write a story,
which, if accepted, would enable me
to get her away into the country, or to
the seaside. l worked at it all night,
and finished it. Then a week later
received a letter at the Office from the
editor telling me that my story had
been accepted, inclosing check, and
asking for more stories.
"Flora had been growing worse each
day, but now, l thought, she should
soon be better. l cashed the check and
bought some luXuries for her, and,
passing a fiower-shop, l went in and
obtained a spray of lilies. They were
her favorite flowers.
"Then hurried away home. Icould
hardly walk fast enough, but at last
reached my little house, and entered.
l run 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
be asleep 1 thought, and noiselessly
l 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
a 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 awoie with a little start.
"T am so glad you have come, Rob-
in she said, rs kissed her. I have had
such glorious dream. / was dreaming
that you had written a book, and that
the world was ringing with your name
81 interrupted her.
"'Perhaps that day is not far eff, 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:
"In less than a week she was dead.
She died in my arms. 1 thought she
was better, hut it was not to be. She
was too good to live. We were too
happy for this world. Heaven would
have had no meaning could we have
HVeu UOSetner tOnSer. ana Wnen ner
last breath was gone laid her back
gently on the bed, and covered her face
from my sight. Iwens on my knees and
cursed-cursed my fate and everything
| else.
Now, perhaps, YOU understand my
fall. why work. l thought, when
have nobody to work for? My literary
work was neglected. l lost my situa-
ton at the office, l have sunk deeper
and deeper, until now" he paused TO:
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, !
will yet make the world ring with my
name. Even if l cannot work for my
dead Flo~a, I can work for her men,
orys sake. And so l will. l start to-
night on the second part of my life. ii
two years will let you know the re.
| cr,lt 7 will cnro md Coo Won GnoI.