Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-03-25

THE KISS
...OF LIFE
[Original.1

[Original1
The members of the household stood
about my bed waiting for my death.
Not brothers, sisters, father. mother,
for these We're all dead. My aunt stood
at the foot of the bed. My Cousin
Eugenia, to whom was engaged to lie
married, sat weeping near a.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 ] could not see her face
Laura was now twenty and by my
death would be left without a home or
support. had provided for her, but
had not been fully satisfied with the
new will i'll which had made the pro-
vision and had kept it 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 it there a
few minutes said in softly modulated
voice:
"It is all over"
My cousin Tom turned and with bow
ed head walked out Of the room, slow
ly at first, but more rapidly as he
neared the door, and l could hear him
going downstairs with springy step.
Eugenia rose and cast a frightened
glance my way. | expected to see in
her face indications of blighted life
7 was astOniShed to discover a look of
relief Aunt Winifred went to her, put
her arm around her, Eugenia's 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-
"a stood by a 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?
1 didn't believe was. I had often
which person may linger for long
wislle and concluded that mine was
such case. was certainly paralyzed.
Had not been propped up with pill
lows l should not have seen what !
did.
During the night 1 heard a faint
laugh in a distant chamber. l recog-
nized it at once, for l had long loved
| it. 1t was Engenia's laugh. / heard a
sob in the hall, and in few moments
bed, she stood looking down at me.
Presently she seemed to notice some
thing in my face-probably life-like
tinge At any rate, she touched my
cheek. She appeared to be disappoint-
ed and took her hand away, but not be-
| fore it 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. I 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.
"Nonsenser' said Tom, but with q
look full of fear that I might live.
Its that stupid Laura's fancy" said
my aunt.
| l hoped to hear more, but after q
hasty glance they left the room. Laura
came back and stood peering down in
to my face. 1 gave faint sigh. Quick
| DIS Il udSu Sic put uSI udllu W lily ICoIt
and felt it beating. Selling my hand
she chafed it spasmodically then ran tC
the door and called over the banister.
Get the doctor, quickr'
When the doctor came the sun was
shining in at my window, and there
! is nothing more revivihg than it's rays
Laura had started life anew; the sun
gave it strength. The doctor declared
that 1 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 partly concealed
J dread or disappointment in her face
| They crowded about my bed, and Lau-
ra, as before, was crowded out. Then
when sure lived, they went away
again.
| The time came when I was perfect
~ recovered. broke my engagement
with Eugenia and turned the rest OF
them out of the house. When they