The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-02


some why faaled snd III that before died,
and you sssm--well. I thoasht could
Work and I've with my pen. and keep my
dreams and ideals 10 mysslf Nurse, !
tried tried hard. had money at nrst
Life seemed gay and jolly. But ! kept
straight That was one Of my ideals, boz
cause felt sorry-I sort Of felt all women
were sacred and unless loved one-so
kept straight.
"But London lodging Is not Inspiring.
began to long for my books and flowers
and my comfortable room. ! began to
long to see my brothers and sisters faces.
! asked II I might come home and work
in my old rooms. ! received no answer.
got depressed My ideals got mixed.
Nothing seemed real except vice.
lone night got drunk with the lights
and the noise Of London. / supped at
big restaurant, principally on champagne.
I met her that night. I never cared for
her, and had cared for others and passed
them by. She loved only gold and jewels.
She was lump of Ice Well, I frozs my
ideals with that lump Of Ice
~ wandered about town, tired Of every
thing. Twas i'll l grew worse Then they
found me and took me home. How they
worried mel How they piled me with
questionsl How they stared at met why
was I 80 different from othersf'
1T, too, began to ask myself that ques-
ton. The first time l slip break my
neck, but my brothers make 1t their bust
ness to slip-grsoefully and carefully.
"For long time they kept me at home,
always worrying me, trying to make me
talk, trying to make me sensible Then
at last made them bring me here. And
at last am happy
"Therei What have I been saying,
nursep You must not think too badly Of
me. At the worst am only fool. Hark,
1t Is dawn. Do you hear the sparrows chat
terinR9 Il reminds me OF the country. /
can soc the faint light stealing through the
gray curtains, and the wind is shaking the
blind to and fro.
"Would you read to me, nursep don't
suppose you have 'SwinburneP He used
TO DO my favorite poet 1t was be who
made me- dream, think. Nurse, WON
der why have never been able to talk to
any woman as am talking to you be-
forep'
Then he lay for some time silent, listen.
ing to the sparrows and the wind rustling
the curtains together. y
The nurse had risen. She stood opposite
the mirror and gazed at herself. She
loosened the hair on her forehead little,
60 that the wayy curls foil naturally on
either SIDE Then she crossed to the bed
and batbed bis temples with some slightly
perfumed water, and gave him a clean,
IL &c. L. h.al uvI szoAo lv. I,ry
his side.
~, too. used to read Swinburne'-he
turned surprised-"butt that was long ago,
when I used to dream. Dreams are bad
and foolish. We were not meant to dream
In this world"
NO." he replied YEARLY, IT suppose
not. But dreams are the only beautiful
things in this world. Do you remember,
'Ah, God! Alb, Godl That day should be
90 soonr That Is what feel now. You
won't leave me- will you, nursep Wait un-
til 1t Ia quito day. am afraid my mother
might come to sec me- and never feel
comfortable when she Is near me. feel
afraid. 1t is 60 stupid"
"An right. won't leave you" She
took his hand in hers. She knew his hours
were few.
And she wondered why God had always
let him meet the wrong women. II she
had met him before, perhaps
His thoughts were similar. "Nurse,
wish had met you before"
She hesitated moment. $50 do ].
She touched his forehead with her soft,
scented handkerchief.
what do you mean2"
perhaps we might have both been hap
pier"
"Then You are not happy Poor little
nurse!" His hands gripped hers harder.
Nurse, wonder-would you-kiss me
directly? tits not wrong or strange to ask
you to kiss a dying man, IL it2'
mo, DEAR" She kissed his forehead
His eyes caught hers. She bent again and
kissed his lips.
sit must be 10 O'Clock, nurse. Hark,
there is some one comingl Don't let any
one in, nurse-until am gone-and hold
my hand tightly-because 1t hurts little,
does death. Let me smell those lilies
They remind me of Ruby. She was
wicked woman, nurse, but I was fond Of
her, poor little thing, because 1t wasn't
her fault. Hold me tighter, and-kiss me
again. 1t Is good to have some one to love.
Nurse, don't let them in--until I am gone;
they will soy am so different Nurse!"
Eyes, dearf"
"You are there; that Is right, Give my
love to-everybody. Tell them I wanted
to help and Nurse, where Is that picture
Of the snowstorm gomez I can't see it up
there now-and l can't see your pretty
face. I only see that wornan-the lump Of
ice-so cold"- His voice slipped away,
his eyes closed God gave him back his
dream.-Exchange.