Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-02-11
The SOLDIER LOVER.

N0 ME. MAGDALENA LAVE
JMl leigh. "Sister Magdalena," as
SuAwe lovingly called her. was a
beautiful woman; so far. at least, as a
true hearted. graceful manner might
be so described. Yet. but for the ex-
preston Of the dark, mournful eye.
one could easily have passed her by;
hut there the story was written. Of
storms and Gains; that strange indell-
BILE mark
AS my head-s0 weary from the
ceaseless effort to count the reverend
ting music-cleared, and my drowsy
sense slowly returned. became con-
scious of tall. silent presence clad in
flowing robes. l saw again the grave.
sweet face that had fingered DER me
In my dreams, and the little cool hands
with their white futterlng fingers that
had been as quivering harpstrings to
me in my weakness and delirium; their
touch SO soft, so tender bearing faint
~. like her sOmbre garments. fragrant.
spicy 0dors. had called me back to life
when hope was almost gone.
One week ago we were sitting here
together swatching the stars light up
the splendid skies. joyful at my res
toration to health. playfully asked
whether her lover had died in the war:
for that is the story we "old maids"
always tell. you know.
Instantly her tender lips quivered
AZ she answered: you may be glad
my dear. that your life has been so SAFE
so sheltered. There are those whose
lives are daily tragedies. whose hearts
are fields strewn with sorrow, as bat
tie grounds with DEATH"
knew the story l 80 longed to hear
was coming. and In silence | unbound
and smoothed her glossy hair. She
was weary. and my touch magnetic,
she said: and had made this my dal-
". self-appointed task.
eyes," she continued. dreamily, my
lover was soldier. We met one glo-
rious day. under the charm of the sea
ana sky. We loved each other tender
ly. yet we parted. That was ALL 1t
was long ago. I grew careless and
indifferent and repented. alas. too late.
Aud then | looked, unknOwing. for the
last time within those splendid eyes.
aud they will haunt me always. with
their silent. deep regret. Afterward
IN the desire to become useful, l be-
came a nurse to those travelling over
the same broad, weary road"
She paused moment. Within the
conservatory. student was singing
the sweet notes Of F'aust's immortal
song:
I'VE were not born with true love to
trlf1e.
Nor born to part because the wind
blows cold:
What tho the storms the summer gar
den rifle.
o. margaritas-stiilo on the bOugh Is
left leaf of gold"
We were botl, weeping as the song
ended: she in bitterness. In sympa-
thy.
6, can't tell you why have told
you this sad story she said. but to-
night my heart Is aching. O. so wear-
~; Tomorrow | will he strong again."
perhaps he may return | ven
tured. comfortably. as | looked hastily
t.round. thinking l had heard a foot
step.
mo" she continued sadly. "T
thought the same FOR many years; and
81 | endeavored to educate my life to
this-tO elevate my senses to improve
nv manner that had caused such bitter
pnin When heavenly power seemed
to crown my labOrs read his name
among the wounded. and the world
grew dark again. In those DAYS I
realized all my life had lost; treasures
that youth had scattered careless as
the breeze has swept these withered
rose leaves low In the dust; yet their
fragrance ascends. and my spirit arose
TO gain a quiet satisfaction In life's
daily toll. When body and soul dwell
In harmony together Improvement fol
lows. Morally. mentally. physically,
now resolves. new purposes. new life.
happiness. passionless calm. universal
love. This is the ladder reaching on
toward purer heights.
Arising In her earnestness, with
heart once more in rebellion. she lean
cd against the pillar of the portico.
end upraising her beautiful arms in
duplication toward the skies, she
questioned In bitterness that great re-
lentless power. But soon the sweet pa-
tent spirit returned. and. with white