Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-19
NY JOSEPH G. LEMBN.

Cupid is an erratic, unreasoning sort
of little rascal His latest caper is
to shoot his dangerous darts promis-
cuously in the paralytic ward of the
county hospital. And two old people,
both past 20, have been pierced through
the heart by his poisoned arrows. Per-
haps Cupid did not show evidence of
such blindness in this instance as he
is usually accredited with, but he was
none the less thoughtless
The victims are Daniel Fairberry,
aged 72, and Nina Houston, aged II,
both helplessly paralyzed, and appar-
emily with but few months at the most
before they take the ferry across the
river Styx.
Yet life for both has Just begun.
Their cheeks have taken on a rosy
hue that is of Cupid's own prepara-
ton, and their eyes shine with cease
less Joy Visitors to the paralytic
ward of the county hospital have no
ticed the old couple sitting together
with their wheel chairs side by side,
looking on the sunshine and the life
without, while their merry conversa-
ton in the hushed tones of lovers and
their. happy smiles and laughter are
all needless of their own age and de-
crepitude.
Holds Withered Hand
Daniel holds caressingly the little
withered, trembling hand that lies
modestly in his lap, but which Is
jerked away with startled gasp when
others see. Sometimes, if one should
peek over the tops of their high-back
chairs one might see q snowy head
resting upon q stopped, shrunken
shoulder, while love light in two pairs
of dim, moist eyes mingles In mute
but passionate avowals.
Cupid knows pretty story about
the aged sweethearts.
Many years ago, when Mina's hair
was golden brown and her form and
face what lovers call divine, when
Daniel was six-foot, strapping
Adonis, these two were lovers.
But their love was true, and the
saying 1.-THE course of true love never
did run smooth" was trag1cal truth
in their case.
Daniel was a soldier boy in the
northern army, only 16, but a man to
all appearances Nina was the daugh-
ter ola southern plantation owner.
Mina's house was near the fort at
which Daniel was stationed.
The house was big rambling one
of the old southern style with huge pill
Jared verandas and green shutters. 1t
sat far back from the road and be-
| fore it was a broad sweep of lawn,
bordered by high hedge of thicket.
Meets His Fate
| Daniel went to this house one day
| in company with a small squad of the
fort soldiers to ask for something to
eat-that was their excuse for going
so they told each other, but all had
lost their hearts to the white frock
| and the golden brown head that they
had seen about the lawn and verandas
| of the big mansion.
| A negro nanny met the soldiers
with mingled look of regard for their
bayonets and petulant contempt for
| them because they were "low-down
Yankees" They got their snack and
fingered an unnecessarily long time
about the yard munching their hand
outs"
One was brave enough to suggest
that ne would rather like to see the
girl who lived there, while the others
Tested him in an effort to prove their
own innocence of any thoughts of the
lass.
When they were about to leave in
disappointment the door of the man
sion opened and the girl of the brown
hair came toward them with pitcher
in her hand.
Smiles at All
-'I thought you all might be thusty,"
she said timidly, with smile that each
or tflS Dis DaSnLul IellOWS IlOuBHl was
meant only for him, and passed the
pitcher around. TITS only cidah, but
1 guess it'll taste all right If you all
are thusty"
Daniel collected courage enough to
look her squarely in the eyes--and his
heart pounded and his cheeks blazed
ruddily, for she was certainly looking
at hini-and smiling.
The negro nanny stood a safe dis
tance away, trembling fearfully and
saying things about "scandalous" and
"low-down No'theners."
"I s'pose I oughtnt to give you all
this cidah, fo' It's dads, and he amt
got no love in his heat fo' you no'then-
ers. An I amt nuther," she said with
smile and half apologetically, "but
/ saw you all lookin' so dusty and hot
1 Jest couldn't help givin' you all
drink somehow" Now, please CO." she
concluded uneasily, so if dad comes
home an sees you all heah he's goin'
TO be Jest awful mad"
That was the beginning of the little
romance between Daniel and Nina.
By the mysterious code of communica-
~