The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-03-02

bhrc, itS WnltenesS contrasting with
her bonnie, sunburnt face.
when she saw me she stopped and
blushed. Then she threw on her bon.
net, and walked on hnrriedlY.
She was girl from the neighbor-
ing farm. fell in love with her, and
we met in the wood, unknown to any
ole. Then my father heard He for
babe 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 ] married her. |
was successful in obtaining clerk
ship, and after my work Mt tho office
was done, my wife would sit in the
little chair by my side, while l sat
writing at my desk. For ] had the
gift OF writing 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 famous author,
aud the drudgery of the Office should
be thing of the past.
But our happiness was too great
to last. The roses on my darling's
lace began TO fadc, and though she
tried to smile away my fears, / felt
sure she was going to he ill.,
| Then one night when / came from
the Office | found her i'll in bed. In
despoir sat down to write story,
which, if accepted, would enable me
to get her away into the country, or
tn 4
night and finished it. Then week
later | received letter at the Office
from the editor, telling me that my
story had been accepted enclosing n
check, and asking for moro stories
Flora had been growing worse
each day, but now, / thought, she
should soon be better. I cashed the
check and bought somo luxuries for
her, and, passing flower shop, went
/ III aud obtained a spray of lilies. They
| were her favorite flowers.
Then ] hurried away home.
could hardly walk fast enough, but at
last ] reached my little house and en-
tered. | ran upstairs, and threw open
her bedroom door.
g Flora, [ cried. Success at last,
my darling. Won shall 20 away for a
! few days now.
"She did not answer me, She must
be asleep, ] thought, and noiselessly
walked across the room.
y stood over the bed, looking at
my swcetheart's lovely face. II was so
calm, So beautiful, so pure. There
was sweet smile on her lips, and
her hair was hanging down, framing
her face iii gold. My thoughts wan.
dered back to that day in June, and
the words of that song came back to
me-
81 knelt at the side of the bed, and,
| placing the spray of lilies in my
flora's little hand, waited i'll silence,
watching and proving praying that
she should soon he restored TO health
again.
'''She awobe with little start.
" i am so glad you have come,
Robin, che said, as I kissed her. i
have had such n glorious dream. ]
was dreaming that you had written n
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 tho editor begs that ! will send
him some others
"She did not speak. but the proud
look In her eyes told me what her
thoughts wero. Then she saw the
lilies, and she kissed me for them
Robin covered his face with his
lands, and sob shook his frame. He
rose from his chair and walked round
the room. Then he stopped, and with
his face averted he finished his story.
I'm less than week she was dead.
Sine died in my arms. | thought she
was better, but It was not to be. She
was too good TO live. We were too
happy Tor this world Heaven would
have had no meaning could we have
lived together longer. Aud when hor
last breath had gone lGid her back
gently on the bed, and covered her
incc from my sight ! went on NV
knees, and curscd-cursod my fate
and everything else
wow, perhaps, you understand my
fall. Why work, ! thought, when 7
have nobody 90 work FORE Ny liter.
airy work was neglected ! lost nay
situation Ht the Office. ] have sunk
I deeper md deeper, until now, he
paused awhile, now 7 om Rambling
Robin
Then hc came across and stood by
Che fire
But the innocent prattle of that
little child Of yours has brought mi
io my sonsos. As thoro IS q God above
Z viii make the world ring with ms
nome. Even If ] cannot work for INV
dead Flora, ! can work for her mem.
Dry sake Aud go J viii. start TO.
night ou the second par, OF my life.
. In two years ] viii let you know the
result. In two years tonight / will
come and 500 you. Goodby.'
pressed him 60 stop the night. but
ho would not persuaded, him. how
ever 20 take the loan Of few pounds.
and aa he walked to the door J slipped
q note into his hands