The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-29
"She waEa 9.

men my fatner nearu. lie 1OTDdue 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. and l married her.
was successful in obtaining clerkship,
and after my work at the office was
done, my wife would sit in the little
chair by my side, whilst 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 would sit talking OF
the future, of the day when should be
q 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 daring's face
began to fade, and, though she tried Ia
smile away my fears, felt sure she was
going to be i'll.
Then one night when l came from
the office Il 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 10
the seaside. ! worked at 1t all night,
and finished it. Then week later
received letter at the office from the
editor telling me that my story had
been accepted, inclosing a check, and
asking for more stories.
Flora had been growing worse each
day, but now, thought she should
soon be better. / cashed the check and
bought some luxuries for her, and,
passing a fower-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
| ran upstairs, and threw open her bed
room door.
Flora l cried. Success at last, my
darling. You shall go away for few
days now
"She did not answer me. She must
be asleep | thought, and noiselessiy
walked across the room.
II stood over the bed, looking at my
,weetheart's lovely face. 1t was SO
calm, SO beautiful, so pure. There was
4 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.
1T l1nelt at the side of the bed, and,
placing the spray of lilies in my Flora's
little hand. waited in silence, watch
lrg and participating that she
would soon be restored to health again.
"She awoke with a little start.
az am so glad you have come, Rob-
n she said, as kissed her. 1have had
such a glorious dream. | was dreaming
that you had written book, and that
the world was ringing with your name
81 interrupted her.
"'Perhaps that day is not far off, 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 facewith his hands,
and a sob shook his frame. He rose
from his chair and walked round the
.oom. 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. thought she
was better. hut it was not to be. She
was too good to 1--we. We were too
happy for this world. Heaven would
have had no meaning could we have
lived together longer. And when her
last breath was gone / laid her back
gently on the bed, and covered her face
from my sight Invent on my knees and
sursed-cursed my fate and everything
else.
Now, perhaps, you understand my
fall. Why work. thought, when !
have nobody 10 work for?' Ny literary
work was neglected. 1 lost my situa-
ton at the office. l have sunk deeper
and deeper, until now" he paused for
awhile, "now / am Rambling Robin
Then he came across and stood BY
the fire.
But the innocent prattle of that lit
lie child of yours has brought me to
nv senses. As there is a God above, l
will yet make the world ring with my
name. Even II ! cannot work for my
dead Flora. can work for her mem
,rys sake. And so I will. | start to-
night on the second part of my life. In
two years will let you know the re-
suit. will come and see you. Good
by"
pressed him to stop the night, but
be would not. persuaded, him, how
ever. to take the loan of few pounds,
and as he walked to the door slipped
note into ms hands.
And last Christmas Eve he kept bis
promise. He came to see me carrying
! small parcel under his arm. 1t was q
book-the book Of the year. He had
written 1t under nom de plume. His
name now is known throughout the
English-speaking world. and the booh
which made his name is dedicated:
ITO my angel wife and Mabel."-Tit
Bits.
tie red TOO a4uch Torn.
Visiting poultry farm lately, say