The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-09-06

AAAAWA ~ kAErElAA EWAEAAAAe VIII -
a lasting JOY 10 me II in the life Il
come I can know that my example has
been a stimulus 70 you amid the
chances and changes Of your career
Promise me. darling. that You win re
sign yourself 70 the DEGREES OF PrOvi
dence even in the bitter hour of Our
parting"
eyes. The knowledge came 10 her
anew that natural emotions can al
times conquer all restraints. The ma
ternity strong within her clamOred for
the power 10 shield her offsarl''g from
the dangers that would b. him.
There was a maddening pain in the
thought that a few brief hours or min
utes might unclasp her arms from him
forever
II was Phil who first gave utterance
to the wild protest In their souls.
Mother" he mOurned bitterly. II
don't want TO live without you. Let II
die together. II ron cannot stay with
me, then swear
But a scream Of terror, so shrill and
vehement that ii seemed TO be almost
miraculous from so frail a form. frOze
the VOW on his lips.
phil. what are you saying? oh. my
son, my son. do not break my heart
before / die Kiss me- dearest l am
cold / can scarce see you. Come
nearer. Let me look once more into
your brave eyes You will be a great
man. Phil. | know 1t. Who should
know your character like your mother?
But You must have faith in God al
ways. have prayed for you, and my
prayers will surely be granted. l will
watch over you. If you are In danger,
my spirit will come back to you across
the void. We cannot he parted. Oh.
God, ii is imposs BILE! You are the life
of my life. amsnot dead while you
still live" =
Even as she spoke her left hand and
arm, hitherto untouched by the cruel
blight which had made her a helpless
invalid during many weary months, be
came numb and rigid. She was dying
now, not with the struggle against the
king of terrors which often marks the
passing of humanity, but with a slow
torpidity more akin to sleep.
Her brain was clear, but the stock OF
nervous force had sunk so low that her
few remaining words were spoken with
difficulty. They were mostly endearing
expressions. appeals to her loved one
to hope and pray, to trust steadfastly
In the all wise power that would direct
his destiny. With the last flicker of
existence the maternal instinct became
re- forget her.
The boy could only murmur agonized
appeals to the merciless unseen not to !
rob him of the only being he held dear
on earth, but even in that awful mo-
ment he had the strength to cease his |
frantic protests when they seemed to
cause her pain, and he forced himself
to join her in prayer.
When the doctor brought a nurse
needed delicacies Mrs. Arson was al
ready unconscious.
The boy, aroused from frenzy by the
steps on the stairs, shrieked incohe
rently:
81 have killed my mother. See! She
is dead. / killed her. made her crJ
You told me to look after her until You
returned She cried and screamed be
cause | spoke so wildly. 1t is all my
fault p
Hush Your mother is not dead, but
dying. Not all the skill of man can
save her. Let her die in peace"
No other words could have checked
the wild torrent of lament that sur1el
from that wounded heart. So she ssi.
lived. There remained faint flicker
of life. Not yet had she passed the
dreadful barrier of eternity. Through
his binding tears he thought he could
discern a smile on the worn face. The |
doctor watched Phil more narrowly |
than the sunken frame on the bed II
was best that the paroxysm of grief
should go untrammeled. The nurse. a
young woman unused as yet to the in
of death, moved timidly
toward the windows and adjusted the
curtains ito admit more light
At last when Phil's strength yielded
70 the strain of his sorrow and the
1ery force of his agony had spent it
Ielf the doctor leaned over the mani
nate form and looked into the eyes.
1T has ended. Phil" he whispered. J
Your mother is In heavenl'
In heaven! What a tocsin of woe IN
message of faith! The boy suddenly {
TODD up. Hope was murdered within
Iim His tears ceased. and his laborel I
'reathing came under control with O
Mighty effort. He stopped and kissed {
he pale cheeks twice. I
"Goodby, mother" he said, and the c
ull pain in his voice was so heart O
ending that the nurses sympathies u
Mastered her. She burst out cryiny. L
instinct came to the doe q
prs aid. He sharply reprimanded the II
alf hysterical woman and sent her OF q
u an errand to bring those whose daty g
is to render the last services to frail p
The hoy he led downstairs |