Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1906-09-14

Love Is Strong as Death
By KATHERINE J. MURRAY
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peace OF mind
What can he mean? He was al
ways coolly polite-nothing more. II
he had not seemed 80 Indifferent
But again the Judge is talking:
Il am quite surprised. But she is
Z very charming girl. am sorry she
could not reciprocate."
oh, | want to go home! But
must still keep behind them. And
never got a chance to reciprocatc or
refuse. II he had only spoken! But
what is he saying now?
Don't misunderstood me, please.
never preached the subject to her
She is wealthy, and have only
bare competence.
But there is the house, and who Is
that old woman at the gate?"
1t Is old Nanny Sue, my mothers
maid and nurse. She fairly idolizes
me- She Is leaning on her stick and
the tears roll down her wrlnkled face
The two men look at one another and
hesitate a moment. The Judge asks
how Miss Brandun isis there auy
improvement?
"Oh. gentlemen, she's gone! My
Ill Miss Bella is daid an gone!
Willis Vernon turns deadly pale
and clutches the judges arm. | lay
my hand on Nanny Sues shoulder
and piva har litttn ohaEn
Nanny, wake up-you're dream
ing! Your Miss Bella is here-she
isn't dead"
But for the first time In her life
she does not notice me. but sobs as II
heart.broken. Then she goes on
She fall sleep bout an hour ago,
an de nuss went to supper, When
she got back she was gOne-oh, my
lamb, my lamb"
Willis Vernon groans: "Oh, my
lamb! oh, my bonnie Belief"
The Judge asks is the doctor
here? He passed us ON the road
"Yas, sab; two doctahs an de nuss
am wukkin ober her But she'll neb
Der open he sweet eyes no noah. Oh
my own Miss Bella-my lamb, my
lamb"
Once more | speak to her. | pass
between her and the men. But she
only sobs and wrings her hands. Can
1t be that she does not see me-that
none Of them see me? Is 1t possible
she Is right, and i
| run toward the house. ! glide
through the open door and hasten to
my sick room | stop short at the
threshold and look in. Something
holds me; | cannot cross the sill.
The nurse and the doctors are
bending over the bed. What is ly'
ing there? A girls body, still and
straight; the head tipped back, the
eyes half closed. The nurse is put
ting hot-water bottles around IL; one
doctor has his fingers on the wrist,
another holds hypodermic syringe In
his right hand, while he pushes back
the loose sleeve with the left. This
is surely my body lying in that bed,
but what is this standing In the door
way, with feet chained to the thresh
old? Is this my spirit and has It
left my body forever? Is this, indeed,
death?
The doctors look at each other; one
shakes his head, the other reiills the
syringe. will try again-no, | can.
not go forward, and | will not 60
away! How can | leave this world,
lust as know my hearts desire is
granted - that Willis Vernon loves
me?
The nurse is rubbing the feet, and
one doctor Is moving the arms up
and down over the head. But still my
poor body lies motionless and my ago
n2ed spirit watches their every Of
fort-all seemingly in vain.
Oh, Father in Heaven, let me stay
Christ, the Merciful, plead for me!
Thou who hast broken the bonds OF
death, help me to live little longer.
Dear Lord. thou hast given the one
joy ! cTaved on earth, do not snatch
il from me. Cod who art Love, for
love Of thy dear Son, let me stay
let me stay,
Once more struggle-the spell
holding me yields, and cross tho
threshold.
Copyright 1906 by Daily story Pub co..
A student just returned from the
university sat down to supper with
his father and mother. Three eggs