The Monte Vista journal., 1906-08-11
Love Is Strong as Death
BY KATHERINE J. MURRAY

terested-too much 20 for my own
peace of mind"
What can he mean? He was nj.
ways coolly polite-nothing more. II
he had not seemed 10 Indifferent
But again the judge Is talking:
Il am quite surprised. But she IL
very charming girl. am sorry she
could not reciprocate."
oh. want to 60 home! But
must still keep behind them. And
never got . chance to reciprocato or
refuse. II he had only spokenl But
what 10 he saying now?
Don't misunderstand me, please.
never broached the subject to her.
She IL wealthy. and I have only .
bare competence.
But there is the house, and who 10
that old woman at the gate?"
II Is old Nanny Sue. my mothers
maid and nurse. She fairly idolixes
me. She ID leaning on her stick and
the tears roll down her wrinkied face.
The two men look at one another and
hesitate q moment. The Judge asks
how Miss Brandon isis there any
Improvement?
"Oh. gentlemen. she's gone! Ny
ILL Miss Bella IL daid an gone!"
Willis Vernon turns deadly pale
and clutches the judges arm. lay
my hand ON Nanny Sues shoulder
and give her little shake.
Nanny. wake up-you're dream
ing! Your Miss Bella 70 here-shs
isn't dead!"
But for the nrst time in her life
she does not notice me. but sobs - II
heart-broken. Then she goes on:
She fall sleep bout an hour ago.
an de nuss went to supper. Whso
she got back she was gone-oh. my
lamb. my lamb"
Willis Vernon groans: "oh. my
lamb! oh. my bonnie Belief"
The Judge asks: rs the dostos
here! He passed us on the road"
"Yas. sab: two doctahs an de nuss
am wukkin' ober her. But she'll nsb-
bss open he sweet eyes no noah. Oh.
my owH Miss Bella-my lamb. my
lamb!~
Once more ! speak to her. pass
between her and the men. But she
only s0bs and wrings her hands. Car
II be that she does not see ms-tAat
none OF them see me! 10 II possible
she 10 right. and l.
run toward the house. glide
through the open door and hsstea 70
my sisk room. stop short At the
threshold and look In. 6omsthing
holds me: cannot cross tho sill.
The nurse and the doctors are
bending over the bed. What 70 ~.
ing there? A girls body. still and
straight: the head tipped back. the
eyes half closed. The nurse 10 put.
ting hot-watsr bottles around II: 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 10 this standing In the door.
way. with feet chained to the thrssh-
old? Il this my spirit and has II
left my body forever! 10 this. iadsed.
death!
The doctors look At each other: one
shakes his head. the other refllis the
syringe. will try asnin-ao. I can.
not 60 forward. and will not 20
away! How can leave this world.
Just ~ I know my hearts desire 10
granted - that Willis Vernon loves
me!
The nurss 10 rubbing the fest. and
one doctor 10 noving the arms up
and down over the head. But still my
poor body lies motionless and my ago
nixed spirit watches their every q.
fort-aii seemingly In vain.
oh. Father In Heaven. ist me stay!
Christ. tho Mercifui. plead for ne!
Thou who hast broken the boods OF
death. help me to live . little longer!
Dear Lord. thou hast Givea the one
Joy cgaved on earth. do not snatch
Il from ne! God. Who Art Love. for
love Of thy dear Soa. ist me stay.
lot mo stay!
Oacs more struggis-ths spell
holding me yields. and ! cross the
threshold.
Copyright tsss BY Daily stosy Pub. cs.>
A studsat t,sst returned iron sho
uaivsrsity sat down 10 sappsr With
his father and mother. Three oggs
we're served up.
why" said the husbaad b his wiss,
your supper y seanty. You sAould
treat your 500 nsrs hbsraiiy."
"Lst ~ - eonssak." Observed tAs