The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-11-02
Why l Waited.
Jean Ingham Whitcher.

Jean InHham Whitcher.
Through the close suffered room stole
the fragrance Of the violets and migno-
nette she had so dearly loved until the
very atmosphere seemed heavy with
their perfume. I looked down at the
quiet form with curious feeling Of re-
gret for the separation from the body
had inhabited SO long.
noted the smiling mouth, the close
shut eyes. the sunny. rebellicus hair,
which even now had escaped confine-
ment and noated over the snowy
shroud, stirred by the perfumed wind to
golden life. Was it only thirty years? 1t
seemed much longer we had Jared to-
gether, and now l stood outside, a
stranger. free to take that flight we had
SO often dreamed of. and yet waited
for what? l had known every thought
of that pulseless heart. how then could
l leave that fair body untenanted? Yet
why did 1 wait?
The door opened softly and two women
came in. They stood and gazed with
fearful eyes upon her who had solved
life's greatest mystery, as they recOunted
instances of her kindly daily life, of
loving actions and tender heart. AS
they turned away one whispered, as IL
afraid the dead would hear:
1T is better she went away before she
knew!" and the other answered: Eyes.
far better"
Then they went away and was left to
wonder why 1t was better that the love-
bestowing. Overwhelming life had been
extinguished. Who knew SO we'll as I
the agony that had torn the tender heart
when told that she must die; must leave
the husband whose heart would be
broken with her death.
They had not been merely man and
wife. but companions in word and deed.
Ills little chum" he had always called
her. How would he live out his lonely
life without her who had been the main.
spring of his life? The beautiful home
they had made together, the fair hope
Of years realized at last-how could he
stay there? He could not. for every
pretty nook and corner they had
planned together.
Everything would bring home to him
his loss. He would not long be alone.
All. no! Over and over he had told her
that if she were called away first he
would surely, swiftly follow. II cam
not live without YOU" he had always
said. And the trusting little heart had
thrilled with joy at his earnestness and
love!
The door once more was held ajar.
falteringly. as II the conner feared to
enter the lilled calm Of that dim room,
and with surprise saw It was l.er hus-
band. I had wondered that he had not
come, that he had been away even for
one moment Of the few hours left him in
which to keep vigil at her side.
Slowly. oh SO slowly, he approached
her whose life he had been, and mar
veled almost that she did not rise in the
old. glad way to greet him. He looked
down with unseeing eyes and stopping,
rearranged the flowers clasped so loosely
by the little hands, but I saw, with a
curious feeling of pity for her. that he
did not kiss those helpless little hands
nor bestow one caress upon the face
which never until now had failed to
light up with radiant smiles at his every
approach. Motionless he Stood in deep
thought. And II waited-for what?
And again the door opened, slowly,
and the fair-haired little cousin, so
deeply loved by her who lay asleep, stole
into the room. She came and stood be-
side him. with face averted, almost as If
she feared to look upon the face of her
who had been her best friend. And
then
II cannot bear to see her lie so quietly,
to know she will not move, and we-oh,
it is so hard she had to die!"
And again the words: 1T is better
she died before she knew!"
I waited still-for what?
Suddenly she broke into convulsive
sobs and as he drew her to him and she
chung to him, he kissed passionately the
tear-wet eyes and as she sobbed: "Oh,
1t is SO terrible! am so afraid Of
DEATH" answered.:
II know It. sweetheart. but we have
long.lon years Of happiness before u.s."
and with his arms about her they turned
to go. while she whose years were fin.
ished lay mute and silent.
And IL knew why I had waited.