Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-08

II was noon, still summer noon
when Death came again. meeting, as
he glided through the SOLEMN quiet OF
the waiting. praying. deso!aie home, a
man whose face was as pale and set as
Deaths own; whose eyes we're heavy
with unshed tears: children with a
strange grief upon their hearts. But
needless. Implying Death passed them
by, and went once again for the one
who was brought into the shadow Of
his wing. But IL was different scene
that met his eyes as he paused for an
instant at the door; it was a mothers
room now, wide and spacious. Over the
mantel the pictured face Of man. "A
scholarly face, pure Of outline and di-
rect and firm OF expression. seemed to
dominate the room. and the groups Of
children's portraits, little shoes upon
the floor, little stockings in the great,
wide workbasket, schoolbooks and
states on the desk by the window, all
typified her life, with It's broad, un-
selfish, womaDly interests, its loves
and its cares, its duties and its pleas
ures. Once again she listened TO
Deaths pleadings. and as he looked
upon her, he almost eDyied Life the
beauty he had written upon her face.
Youth and freshness were gone, spent
ms generous giver does mere gold. in
loving service, glad 10 be the poorer;
but there was grace and loyelincss pass
Inn that 80 form an1fv ft. Ig, tfst
Madonna-like eyes, the thoughtful
brow, the mouth kept sweet and mel
low by sunshine and rain, the words
OF love and the grooming of cradle
songs; all was there, all the Life from
which he had warned her-tears and
laughter, moments OF joy, hours OF
sorrow and grief, years Of sweet, calm,
eyen-paced content, hope. patience,
anxiety, reolization--the story was all
written there, and il was gain. not loss;
beauty, strength and all loyesome wom-
anliness, but Death despaired not, even
though he saw more Of happiness than
OF sorrow.
Nov you are ready TO come with me
10 Paradise; you who have known grief
and loss, for have taken your children
from your arms, and they bloom there.
You have seen all that Life imposes;
you have known weariness; you have
felt the thorns and briars along the
path. Life has not spared you labor or
care. To you. and such as you. come
as a deliyerer; one who bestows rest
Of 1anff coil I TO-. ...sf
be lifted, and you will forever fold your
hands in eternal peace. Come with me,
you who should greet the coming of a
friend who will give you Paradise"
But she looked up into his face, into
the passion-pure, marble-like features
Of Death, and, as the glow OF the
Northern Lights hushes into roseate
hue even fields OF Ice and snow, so the
face Of Death became illumlned with
all but human beauty and expression.
as she said, her voice not the timid
faltering tones OF the blushful maid
who had once answered his plea, but
the full-rounded, melodious accents Of
woman: $50 your way Death. /
know all that life means, all that love
gives and takes, and again will | say,
after all these years, Paradise is not
with you. Paradise is here, happiness
is here, for John is herel"
And Death trailed his ghostly gar
ments through the house and went
alone, with almost bitterness against
his brother Life, who could so hold
out and so charm. When she walked
she said, as one who had routed and
conquered foe: "What does he know
of Paradise? Paradise is here. for
you, my beloved, are here"