Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-03-26

..-1~~ storm from the IL
d.. Illustrated Londoh
News OF half a doz-
en- years ago. by his bedside stooa the
table, with a tumbler OF water ana
bowl OF fresh flowers -lilies-of-the-va'-
fey. On another table, by the window
burnt dim light! here were meoicine
bottle. some few articles always iouho
in sick-room, couple OF poohs'
more flowers and a roll Of white linen.
In a low chair, near the dim Hsn''
woman sat He could only see her nsad
and a narrow outline Of her race. her
head was thrown far back against the
pink cushion; her hair looked Drown
streaked with gold where the "snt
touched il. Her dress was blacK' nc
could see the corner OF white apron
and the curve OF a white collar, ana
soft white cuffs against small wnite
hands.
He ished ne could see more OF her;
he was afraid to move lest she heard
him. Evidently she was young thal
was good. Was she also beautlIul, or
even pretty? Would she be solt anu
gentle and patient with him, or nara
and stern and matter of-fact!
How peaceful it was in this little
room in the center of the great. silent
hospital.
Such peace he had never felt before
I'm M life, though he had often sought
III No one could come and worry MIN
here. or stare at him, or ask him stupid
questions. He did not care now wheth-
Or he grew better or worse 30 long as
he could lie In the silent room with the
picture OF the snow-storm on the wall
and the lilies by his side on the table
and the nurse asleep in the chair, and
everywhere the calm and the peace.
/ n 1t was even better than his room at
home. There his mother or his father
his sisterE and his brothers. would have
Continually come and looked at him
and asled him how he felt. and why
he was so stupid. and why he was diff
ferent to other people.
: Here none could worry him. He was
safe. EFt tftaL#f
What time vas It? Evening, prob
ably. or perhaps night.
No light came through the blind and
the gray. drawn curtains. He could
hear no sounds from the street. not
even the distant roar Of traffic which
never ceases.
Should he speak to the nurse and see
what she was like? He very much
wanted her to be pretty. He still chung
to the stupid idea that II she were pref
ty she would be kind-and forgiving
Did she know all about him--aH that
other people knew or thought they
knew? But he did not need forgiveness
he had done nothing wrong; she
would only consider him like other
men. Well, that would be better than
thinking him so different to every
body else" He was quite tired of hear
ing he was different"
He turned on his side again to sleep
The nurse heard him. She rose and
came to the bedside and bent over him
Are you comfortable" Do you wan,
anything"
He opened .l's eyes gratefully. The
voice was low and deep and soothing
1 The thought also came to him that il
was forgiving voice
mo, thank you-nurse. am al
right. was just thinking how-hov
quiet and nice t was here. What time
Is II? Nighttime, surely?"
ut is early morning. nearly
O'Clock. You will hear the sparrows
awake soon. and begin to chirp ant
chatter in the trees beneath your win
dow. viii you drink this wcdicint
now"
He smiled. Yes. II you like; but tn;
knowledge has come to me that medi
cine is no good. / don't suppose ! shall
live long. don't want to live. hav,
nothing to live for My ideals hav,
found only ideals; my dreams will CONF
10 nothing. l only want to- seem Il