The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1905-03-10
THE KISS
...OF LIFE
[Original.1

Eugenla, TO whom l was engaged to be
married, sat weeping near window,
her face buried In her handkerchief.
Laura, whom my mother had left to
my care when little girl of but ten
years old and for whom had provided
ever since, stood in the background,
crowded away from the bed by the
others, and l could not see her face.
Laura was now twenty and by my
death would be left without home or
support. had provided for her, but
had not been fully satisfied wifi the
new will in which l had made the pro-
vision and had kept 1t locked where it
would not be found. The old will left
everything to Eugenia.
The doctor came and put his hand on
my heart and after leaving 1t there a
few minutes said in softly modulated
voice:
1T is all over"
My cousin Tom turned and with bow
ly at first, but more rapidly as he
neared the door, and l could hear him
going downstairs with a springy step.
Eugenia rose and cast q frightened
glance my way. l expected to see in
her face Indications of a blighted life.
l was astOnished to discover look of
relief. Aunt Winifred went to her, put
her arm around her, Eugenias head
full on her mothers shoulder, and they
passed out of the chamber.
One by one those who had been with
me In my last moments left me. Lau-
ra stood by window with her back
to me. She waited till the last person
had departed, then turned. On her
face was genuine grief. She had con-
cealed it in presence of the others, but
now that they were gone she gave full
vent to it. Coming to me, she knelt
by my bed, put her face down into her
hands and sobbed as If her heart
would break. But hearing a step with
out she rose, brushed away her tears
and began to busy herself about the
room, gliding nOiselessly here and
there while the doctor, who had forgot
ten his satchel, came In, put away his
medical paraphernalia and went away.
Was dead?
l didn't believe / was. had often
heard of the comatose condition in
which person may linger for long
while and concluded that mine was
such a case. was certainly paralyzed.
Had not been propped up with pill
lows l should not have seen what
did.
During the night l heard a faint
laugh in q distant chamber. recog
nized it at once, for had long loved |
it. 1t was Engenia's laugh. l heard
sob In the hall, and In a few moments |
Laura came in. Softly approaching the
bed, she stood looking down ut me.
Presently she seemed to notice some
thing in my face-probably life-like
hnge At any rate, she touched my |
cheek. She appeared to be disappoint-
ed and took her hand away, but not be-
fore 1t had stirred my dormant pulse.
Then she bent down and imprinted a
kiss upon my lips.
That kiss was like new fuel to a |
Pickering fire. l could feel my heart
begin to beat-slowly at first, but
Quickening every moment. Laura
must have noticed the change, for she
FASTENED out Of the room, and present
ly my aunt and my cousin Tom came
hurrying In and looked at me.
Nonsense" said Tom, but with
look full of fear that might live.
tits that stupid Laura's fancy" said
my aunt
hoped to hear more. but after a
hasty glance they left the room. Laura
came back and stood peering down in
to my face. l gave faint sigh. Quick
as fash she put her hand to my heart
and felt II beating. Selling my hand,
she chafed 1t spasmodically, then ran to
the door and called over the banister.
Get the doctor, quick"
When the doctor came the sun was
shining in at my window, and there
Is nothing more reviving than its rays.
Laura had started life anew; the sun
gave 1t strength. The doctor declared
that | still lived, but after deliberation
decided not to give me any remedy,
though he ordered tank of oxygen for
me to breathe. The household again
gathered In the room, my fiancee ap-
preaching me with a partly concealed
dread or disappointment IN her face
They crowded about my bed, and Lau-
"a, as before, was crowded out. Then,
when sure lived, they went away
again.
The time came when l was perfect
y recovered. broke my engagement
With Eugenia and turned the rest of /
hem out of the house. When they 5
we're all gone sent for Laura. She {
anne into my study wonderingly. l
lad two Wills In my hand gave her :
me to read. 1t left all my possessions
o my late f1ancee. When Laura had
cad IT, handed her the other, eXecut-
d that morning. 1t left everything to
IeF.
What does this meanY she asked,
color mounting to her cheek. "Why y
m l to have all this property" c
you won It." A
How Ii
by kiss" Il
what kiss?" The color in her cheek 5
eepened. q
1.-THE kiss that restored me to life" .
She turned away, but went up be- !,
Ind her and, drawing her face around,
Used her. d
You gave me lifei give you for il