Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-21
CHAPTER xxx.

Eudora slept long and calmly. and
awoke early on Tuesday morning. the
last day of her allotted life. Thanks
to the good physicians merciful min
istrations, the frenzy Of terror and the
darkness of despair had alike van
ishcd. Her nerves were wonderfully
composed, and her mind perfectly
clear.
at is strange. Mrs. Barton" she
said. as the wardress was assisting
her to dress. chow we'll I am this
morning. the very last day of my life.
1t seems to me, looking back on my
past feelings. as if I had besn very
i'll ever since my first arrest, and have
only now recovered health and reason.
And this is my last day. and have
made no preparations for death; but
indeed I could not, and 1 see clearly
now why could not First came the
thunderbolt Of my arrest; then the
anguish Of suspense before the trial;
then the blackness of despair after
convictions; and then the frenzy of ter
ror that followed the reading of the
death warrant! What could l do
amidst all that various suffering? But
it has all gone, now; the suspense, the
NOSptlIi, duu lllC tCllOI 1lItN Z dA
flight, like evil spirits, and left MY
mind in sweet. clear, sunny, almost
buoyant state, although l am to die
tomorrow morning. hope this is not
unnatural; l hope am in my senses; ;
for it is Il very strange experience
1T is the goodness of God, and the
skill of the doctor as His instrument
my poor. dear child. You are limo
cnnt and rOa,.t1-roI an1 ca 1,o,, oro
comforted by Heaven and eart],," au-
Swered the wardress.
II am not afraid to meet MY Maker
never was. even in the midst Of my
terrors. 1 have not got my peace to
make with Heaven at this hour. but
l have much to do for those whom 1
shall leave behind. and l must set
about it Immediately"
Dear saint, think of Yourself; do
not trouble your heart about any one
else''
Did Mr.. MOntrose call Yesterday"
Eyes, dear child, but you were then
too ill to see any one. But suppose
he will come this morning. as usual"
mo. he will not. We agreed that
as lie is permitted but one visit in tie.
day, he should not come on THIS last
day until the evening, so as to see INC
at as late period as possible before
m; death. You see how calmly / can
sId ak OF that now, Mrs. Barton
"Ihank God. my dear, though it
breaks my heart to hear YOU"
After her frugal breakfast Eud)ra
asked for pen. ink and paper. and sat
down to write her last wishes, to be
confided to Malcolm.
Meanwhile, the chaplain of the
prison, who had been very ill with
fever for the last week. arose from
lis sick bed to administer the last
consultations Of religion to the ccr.
dcmned girl.
He found Eudora seated at the little
table and engaged in writing.
She arose as he entered. and held
out her hand, saying:
Il am glad you have come to see he
again Oh this last day, Mr.. Goodall.--
sit down.
~ should have come before If /
hat !,een able to stand upon my iaet."
replied the clergyman. earnestly, rs
he sank quite exhausted in the offered
chain.
II an, sorry to see that you are still
so i'll. she said. looking with SYM
pathy upon his haggard face.
us II credible That you can have
room in your heart for any other sOr-
row than your own great one" in
Iuircd the clergyman. looking up in
compassion at the fac" Of the speaker.
And then. for the first time, he no.
ticcd the perfect serenity and almost
cheerfulucsS OF her cOuntrnancc.
She perceived his surprise. and an
swered both his looks and words by
saying:
! II do not know how. 1t is. but / can.