The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-02-13


nes, and walked on hnrriedly.
"She WAS q girl from the neighbcr-
ing farm. l fell il love with her, and
we met in the wood, unknown TO any
one. Then my father heard. He for
bade 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 moon
light night, to be my wife. We came
south together, end | married her. J.
was successful in obtaining a clerk
ship, and after my work at tho Office
YVES done, my vile would sit in the
little chair by my side, while / sat
writing at my desk. For had the
gift OF writing bills 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 a famous author,
and the drudsery Of the Office should
be thing Of the past.
"6ut our happiness was too grent
to last. The roses on my darling's
face began to fade, and though she
tried to smile away my fears, I felt
sure she was going to be i'll.
"Then one night when 1 came from
the Office l found her i'll in bed. In
despair I sat down to write story,
which, if accepted, would enable me
to get her away into the country, or
to the seaside. | worked at it all
night and finished it. Then week
later l received q letter at the office
from the editor, telling me that my
story had been accepted, enclosing
check, and asking for more stories.
"Flora had been growing worse
each day, but now, | thought, she
should soon be better. I cashed the
check and bought some luxuries for
her, and, passing q flower shop, went
in and obtained spray Of lilies. They
were her favorite flowers.
"Hhen L hurried away home. l
could hardly walk fast enough, but at
last reached my little house and en-.
tered. I ran upstairs, and threw open
her bedroom door.
"'Flora, I cried. Success at last,
my darling. You shall so away for e.
few days now
"She did not answer me, she must
be asleep I thought, and noiselessly I
walked across the room.
II stood over the bed, looking at
my sweetheart's lovely face. Itwas so
calm, 80 beautiful, so pure. There
was Il sweet smile on her lips, and
her hair was hanging down, framing
her face in gold. My thoughts wan.
dered back to that day in June, and
the words Of that song came back to
me.
II knelt at the side of the bed, and,
placing the spray of lilies in my
Flora's little hand, waited in silence,
watching and prsying-praying that
she should soon be restored to health
agaiu.
"Sho awoke with little start.
"I am so glad you have come,
Robin, she said, as I kissed her. Il
have had such o glorious dream.
was dreaming that you had written a
book, and that che 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 l 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 bis
hands, and o sob shook his frame. He
rose from his chair and walked round
the room. Then he stopped, and with
his face ayerted he finished his story.
''In less than week she WAS dead.
She died in my arms. I thought she
WAS better, but it was not to be. She
was too good to live. We were too
happy ior this world. Heaven would
have had no meaning could We have
lived together longer. And when her
last breath had gone. I laid her back
gently on the bed, and covered her
face from my sight. I went on my
knees, and cursed-cuzsed my fate
and everything else.
snow, perhaps, you understand my
fall. why work. I thought, when
have nobody to work for?' My liter.
airy work was neglected. I lost my
situation at the Office. I have sunk
deeper and deeper, until now" he
paused awhile, "now I am Rambling
Robin
Then he came across and stood by
the fire.
"But the innocent prattle OF that
little child OF yours has brought me
to my senses. As there IS GOD above
l will make the world ring with ny
name. Even if l cannot work for my
dead Flora, / can work FOR her mem
ory's sake. And so will. I start to-