Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-25

DeIOfe IL opened, there VIII DE- OIuerS
after it has fallen. Where was the
man in the time Of the dicynodont and
when hoary monsters wallowed in the
mud? Will he be found in the cons
that are to come? We are sparks, we
are shadows, we are pollen, which the
next wind will carry away. We are
dying already. 1t is all a dream.
81 know that thought. When the
fever of living is on us, when the de-
sire to become, to know, to do, is driv-
ing us mad, we can use it as an ano-
dyne to still the fever and cool our
beating pulses. But it is poison, not
a food. If we live on it, it will turn
our blood to Ice. We might as well
be dead. We must not, Waldo. I
want your life to be beautiful, to end
in something. You are nobler and
stronger than l." she said, land as
much better as one of Gods great an
gels Is better than a SHINING man.
Your life must go for something"
Eyes; we will work." he said.
She moved closer to him and lay
still, his black curls touching her
smooth little head.
Doss, who had laid at his masters
side, climbed over the bench and curl
ed himself up in her. lap. She drew
her skirt up over him, and the three
sat motionless for long time.
"Waldo," she said suddenly, they
are laughing ut u.s."
..Who?" he asked starting up.
"They-the starsv' she said softly.
"Do you not see? There is little,
white, mocking finger pointing down
talking of tomorrow and tomorrow,
and our hearts are so strong; we are
not thinking of something that can
touch us softly in the dark and make
US still forever. They are laughing at
us, Waldo"
Both sat looking upward.
"Do you ever pray?" he asked her in
low voice.
mo"
81 never do. but might when look
up there. l will tell you," he added, in
still lower voice, where could pray.
If there were a wall of rock on the
edge Of world, and one rock stretch
ed out far, far into space, and l stood
alone upon 1t. alone, with stars above
me and stars below mel would not
say anything. but the feeling would be
prayer"
I There was an end to their conversa-
ton after that, and Doss fell asleep on
her knee. AT last the night wind grew
very chilly.
"Ah." she said. shiyering. and draw
ing the skist about her shoulders, II
am cold. IIspan the horses. and. call
me when You are ready"
! She slipped down and walked toward
| the house. .Doss stiftiy following her,
not pleased at being reused. At the
| door she met Gregory.
| II have been looking for you every
where; may not drive you home?' he
said.
Waldo drives me-" she replied. pass
ing on. and it appeared to Gregory that
she looked Mt him IN the old way, with
out seeing him. But before she had
reached the door an idea had occurred
to her. for she turned.
If you wish to drive me. you may"
Gregory went to look for EN-. whom
he found pouring out coffee in the back
room. He put his hand quickly on her
| shoulder.
You must ride with Waldo; am
| going to drive your cousin hone.'
But can't come just now. Greg.
promised Tant' Sannie Muller to look
after the things while she went to rest
little'
well, you can come presently, can't
you? didn't say you We're to come
now. Pm sick OF this thing" said
Gregory. turning sharply on his heel.
why must sit up the whole night
because your stepmother chooses to get
married?"
"oh, it's all right, Greg, only
meant
| But he did not hear her. and man
/ had come up to have his cup filled.
An hour after Waldo came in to look
for her and found her still busy at the
table
1.-The horses are ready" lie said, ''but
If you would like to have one dance
more l will watt
| She shook her head YEARLY.
"No. am quite ready. want to
CO."
And soon they We're on the sandy
road the buggy had travelled an hour
before. Their horses, with heads close
together, nodding sleepily as they
walked in the starlight, you might have
counted the rise and fall of their feet
in the sand. and Waldo in his saddle
nodded drowsily also. Only I'm was
awake, and watched the starlighted
road with wide open eyes. At last she
spoke.
II wonder If all people feel so old, SC
very old, when they get to be liz"
mot older than before" said Waldo
sleepily, pulling at his bride.
Presently she said again:
II wish could have been a little
child always. You are good then. You
are never selfish. You like every one
to have everything. but when you are
grown up there are some things you like
to have all to yourself. You don't like