Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-04-27

that the postman consequentially hard
ed me back nine She would look blue
for m oment, and then laugh. She
once said she had a lot of good fun out
Of herself. her haps and mishaps, ard
would whisper dramatically, THE fate
of genius!'
When these hard times would come
she bore them like a hero-yes like a
hero, for there was truly masculine
philosophy about her. But the strain
after while began to tell on a frame
not too strong, though she had always
had perfect health.
The irregular fare-for some days
we had nothing at all in the little house
the uncertainty of even making ends
meet; even the missing of the laughter
and admiration that had been hers al
ways wherever she went, told upon
her.
Then one day letter came-it was
from the man who had drifted with her
in the boat that May day long ago.
trembled for her then-for them both.
He wanted to come and see her just
once more, knew how hungry was her
heart-how barren and empty of all!
joy or pleasure her poor little work-a-
day life. did not say one word. She
got up and walked the little room many
times; for not the first time of late |
or vii h1 nh
She grew thinner daily; the velvet OF
her eyes more intense, and they were
almost abnormally large.
At last she turned to me, almost de-
family, and said: Il will let him come.
feel now that the end is not far off
the end of all things. I've suffered
almost enough. You know this is a
world of compensation. l have had so
much Of happiness-I don't believe any
girl ever was so terribly happy; and
I've had almost as much Of misery
almOst-not quite. Yes, l will see him
again! I will snatch at JOY for one
brief hour. All, my love OF long ago,
my dear love of the May-time and the
ripping streams and budding flowers,
| will see thee once more, clasp thy
dear hand and kiss thy lips. The lips
that l have yearned for a touch of for
years. Yes, you shall COme-come
soon-for I am going out into the I'M
known. I feel it here" with her hand
upon her heart. Il don't mind it at all
now, love; I'm so tired, so tired" A
binding sea Of tears swept over my
eyes. She had never spoken like this
beforehand been brave and even pa
tent for her, for hers had never been
a meek and quiet spirit"
Well, he came. They were alone to-
gether for hours. l could not rest.
knew her strange, emotional nature
her broad views on almost every sub
ject. I knew him, too. Knew that he
was honorable, high-minded noble al
most, but I also knew he was a man
a man of passionate sense, of poetical
thought.
Remuneration had been the price they
paid for love that came unbidden-
came because they were counterparts.
Would they be as strong again."
After while l heard the front door
open and his departing footsteps. She
came in. At first I could not look up
God forgive me for that first and only
moment OF doubt. l was afraid.
Then she came and knelt down be-
side me and whispered softly IN all
most the same old tone: I'm so
happy, so happy, 50 happy"
no how
eyes met. Thank God! she had con-
quered again-conquered self-that
throbbing, thrilling flesh and blood
self that could live within only loves
fold.
She was going fast now, weakening
daily, but still at her desk writing,
writing. All, say what you will, she
had many a spark of genius-her
thoughts were original and strong and
sweet
When the end came it came quite
suddenly. She had been writing all
day. A half finished manuscript lay
on the table before her and a sealed
letter addressed to him, with the pen
still in her hand Il went over to her
she had been silent so long,. Just at
the end of his name she had become
unconscious from very weakness.
l lifted her up tenderly and laid her
on the white lace-covered bed that had
been her tender pride. Once only she
reused and whispered: "Is it hard to
die? I'm almost afraid-don't let &c
my hand" Then she murmured faint
ly the two names she had loved-the
names of the men who had made uD
her life, and sighed deeply and whis-
pered: "I've been so tired-I can rest
noW.' Then a desperate clutching of
my hand for a moment, as if, as she
had said, she was afarid; then a sort of
shudder through all her limbs; then
a stiffness that knew was death crept
through the pinA-draped room.
arose, like someone grown suddenly
feeble and old, leaned over her and
closed her eyes, and said: Thank
Cod"
I knew that tomorrow with its
agony would come for me, but for her
it was overall over-thank God
N. o. Times Dernoerat.
Doctors Know n Good Thing.
Congressman John Sharp Williams
tells of man IN Mississippi who is
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