The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-03-14
HOW CRAZY STRANGE MET
ONE SHE LOVED BESIDE
HER MONUMENT.

snow was whitening the ground, a
farmer had driven an unconscious
woman to the almshouse, wearing
a wrapper over a night dress and
bare feet thrust in dainty French
slippers. He had picked her up on
the road, and, having committed
her to the care of the matron, drove
away.
One day the nurse was startled
to see the steady light of reason in
her patients eyes.
How came I here?" she said.
you've been sick. This is Ben
ton almshouse. You've been here
13 years"
Crazy Strange screamed at the
nurses words so loud that the doc
tor who was going by came to her
side.
Doctor, do you remember" she
said suddenly, the burning of the
steamer Reindeer?'
very WELL" he responded.
II must have been saved from
that. I was on board with my hus-
band, who was Ill of consumption.
I remember Selling some clothing
and escaping from the boat, that is
all. My daughter and my husband,
what can have become of them?"
Then she started up suddenly. 81
am going back home. am going
back unannounced to see first if l
have been missed" with determin-
alton.
Through the dusty highway of
country town, five weeks later,
Crazy Strange was toiling. She
stood once more in front of her ee-
CANT country home with its garden
in bloom. Then she passed on to
the cemetery beyond and paused by
a tall marble shaft, to rest for a
moment in its shade, for her
strength was near spent.
Dizzy, trembling, she looked up
at the tombstone and footsteps
came near and she saw a slender,
beautiful girl, leading a feeble old
man forward.
He was gray and weak, and when
he sat upon the iron bench near
the tall shaft he trembled with ex-
haustion.
81 shall not come many times
more, Cora" he said gently. my
eyes are dim and my strength fails
me every day. But tonight l will
tell you the story of your mothers
death. We have not told you be-
fore that she does not lie here"
mot lie here?"
mo, child! Your mother sleeps
far off from here under the waters.
She was lost in the Reindeer For
weeks after the fearful night I lay
at deaths door, but death was not
merciful. He took my darling and
left a wretch Of a man, crippled,
feeble, suffering, but living. But
for you | would have prayed to die.
Little one, you may live to know
heaven grant that you do - such
love that your mtoher felt for me,
to grant such love as mine to her"
The ragged wayfarer behind the
great marble shaft rose, painfully.
Il have been pauper for 10 years.
| will not shame them" she said
softly. But, as she walked slowly
away she felt her limbs fail, her
brain reel, and she sank senseless
upon the ground. The involuntary
cry she gave reached the ears of
the mourner
"See, Cora! 1t Is a woman-a
beggar! Poor woman! Have YOU
the wine you brought for me?"
The girl went quickly on her err
rand of mercy.
Robert! Robert"
One great gasping cry escaped
him, and for a moment his heart.
throbs threatened to suffocate him.
White as death, he said: MAR.
garet! Can it be Margaret?"
81 tried to creep away. But I
shall not shame you in my grave"
Shame me! You? Margaret!
My wife! Why have you let me
mourn you as dead?"
81 have been crazy, they tell me.
a crazy pauper in an almshouse 10
years"
Beside the tall shaft where her
mothers name had told the world
OF her death for IS years, Cora
could see the two figures as she had