The Democratic advocate., 1906-12-28

So the oath was sworn, the cup of kind
ness drunk, and the song sung, as the last
stroke of twelve died away.
After the others had gone, Ralph Dar
row paced up and down the great living
room, which he had built when more
timid man would have built modest
house 1t was noble room, thirty feet
high, with windows which showed nothing
but the sky. One corner was partitioned
off for Mildred's sleeping closet; in another
stood Ralph's drafting table; third held
the dining table, where, if the fare was
humble, the hospitality was royal; the last
angle contained a piano, bookshelves and
low divan, where he slept. Over the
mighty hearthstone Ralph had painted the
motto of his room. 1.-The world forgotten,
by the world forgot" Here he had
fought out his great battle, here he and
his friends had passed the best hours of their
lives, since the day, FIVE years before, when
they first met, by chance, in city where
all were strangers. His mind was busy
with past and future Life stretched be-
hind and before him like pathway. Mem
ory showed him his own footprints straight
and even as an Indian trail leading to that
days triumph; hope pointed to future of
increasing success His thoughts ran back
and forth with tremendous rapidity. At
one moment he reviewed the building of
his room; in the next he was finishing his
house on the same generous scale suite
for Mildred, studio for BASIL labora-
tory for Philip. He himself would keep to
his one room; the others should have all the
space they desired.
As the night grew cooler his mood be-
came graver. The problems yet to be
solved in his great work were grappled
with, one by one. Two o'clock found
him still busy making notes. The strokes
from the bell of neighboring steeple
warned him that it was growing late, and
he had an earl y engagement the next
morning. Sleep was as far from him as
ever; his body ached with WEAKNESS, while
his brain worked with an almost agonizing
activity He must sleep, or the morrow
would find him unfit for his duties. A
thought struck him. Mildred's sleeping
mixture always stood beside her bed; for
years she had been martyr to insomnia.
"Poor little girl he said, Il suppose
she has to fight this uncanny wakefulness
every night" He listened at her door,
and heard her slow, regular breathing.
Gently turning the handle, he entered
noiselessly, found the phial in its accus-
toned place, and paused moment to look
at Mildred s face as the freight from an
outer room shone upon it.
"What a marble sleepr' he said to
himself, and left the room as softly as he
had entered it. He had often seen Mil
dred pour out her dose, one teaspoonful in
a wineglass of water. eff it takes tea
spoonful to put that little girl to sleep, it
will take twice as much for me, was his
thought as he poured out the drug, meas
uring generous tablespoonful. He set
the glass on table by the fire, drew his
armchair nearer the blaze, lighted cigar,
drank off the draught, and took up the
last poets latest volume of verse. 'If the
combined effects of these three sopori6cs do
not put me to Sleep" he said, ~ will give
it up, and go to work. 5"
The fire ate out the heart of the great
yule log, which broke into two pieces, the
ends falling together with noise that
caused Mildred to turn in her sleep. The
flame in the lamp burned pale, flickered
and went out. The lofty room was in
darkness, save for the glow of the embers
en- the hearth; but the man in the arm
chair did not move. The last sparks of
fire faded into soft gray ashes; the cold
dawn looked in through the windows;
the first sunbeam sent its golden
lance of light across the room-and still
he did not move.
Soon after sunrise Mildred was astir. As
she was dressing, she sang under her
breath snatches from the new carol she had
learnt for Christmas Her simple toilet
made. she came out, duster in hand, ready
for the first task of the day.
"Why, Ralph, are you up alreadyY p
she cried. "I believe you have never been
in bed at all! Why don't you speak to
me, brother?"
She laid her hand on his shoulder and
shook him playfully. The book he had
been holding dropped from his nerveless
hand, the half smoked cigar slipped
through his fingers. The drug had done
it's work too well. Ralph had turned the
last page of his earthly life.
Ralph Darrows tragic death made q
deep impression on the community. Peo
; ple discovered that Darrrow had been a
man of genius Designs and notes for a
new park system, public library, an art
museum and school of design were found
among his papers. 1t was resolved to
carry out his plans for improving the city.
An avenue was named for him; it was pro-
posed to raise monument to his memory.
This Mildred opposed. "His work is his
best monument she said. Those who
had known him agreed with her. His
fame increased as one by one his noble
buildings rose from the ground and it was
seen how well he had discerned the needs
of the growing city.
The only plans not carried out were
those for his own house. The great room
remained as he left it. In time Mildred
built modest addition, and here she lived
by herself. The years brought her rich
harvest of good works. She was the friend
of all young artists and musicians. Itwas
gradually recognized that she was power
for good in the community. Her soft
voice and gracious manner covered daunt-
less courage and an iron will; her work was
so quietly done that others oftenest re-
ceived the credit for it. Her efforts were
all for education. when am old, |
will visit the hospitals and the home for
aged men, she said; 'smy youth belongs
! to youth. :
Her beauty softened and mellowed with
the passing years; her friends thought her
, lovlier in middle age than she had been in
youth. A rumor that she was about to
y ! !,