The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-03

nation. Ny present suneringS Viii be ]
q lasting JOY to me If in the life to
come I can know that my example has
been stimulus TO you amid the
chances and changes OF your career I
Promise me, darling. that you VIII re
sign yourself TO the DEGREES OF ProvI-
dence even In the bitter hour of our
parting"
Her voice failed Tears stood IN her
eyes. The knowledge came to her
anew that natural emotions can ut
times conquer all restraints. The ma
ternity strong within her clamored for
the power to shield her offspring from
the dangers that would beset him.
There was a maddening pain in the
thought that few brief hours or min
utes might unclasp her arms from him
forever.
1t was Phil who first gave utterance
TO the wild protest in their souls
Mother" he mourned bitterly, "I
don't want to live without You. Let us
die together. If you cannot stay with
me, then l swear
But q scream of terror. so shrilI and
vehement that it seemed 70 be almost
miraculous from SO frail form, froze
the VOW on his lips.
Phil. what are you saying? oh. my
son, my son, do not break my heart
before l 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. l know 1t. Who should
know your character like your mother?
But you must have faith in God al
ways. 1 have prayed for you. and my
prayers will surely be granted. 1 will
watch over you. If you are in danger.
my spirit will come back to you across
the void. We cannot be parted. Oh.
God. 1t Is impossible! You are the life
of my life. l am not dead while you
still live"
Even as she spoke her left hand and
arm, hitherto untouched by the cruel
/ blight which had made her q 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
dominant again, and she asked him not
to 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
and some small store of the much
needed delicacies Mrs. Arson was al
ready unconscious.
The boy, aroused from frenzy by the
steps on the stairs, shrieked incohe
rently
Il have killed my mother. See! She
Is dead. l killed her l made her cry
You told me to look after her until yoJ
returned. She cried and screamed be
cause l spoke so wildly. 1t is all my
fault. r.
Hush! Your mother is not dead, bu
dying. Not all the skill of man cal
save her. Let her die in peace"
No other words could have checked
the Wild torrent of lament that surget
from that wounded heart. So she still
lived. There remained faint f1icke
of life. Not yet had she passed tn
| dreadful barrier of eternity. Through
his binding tears he thought he coul'
discern a smile on the worn face. TIL
doctor watched Phil more narrowl
than the sunken frame on the bed.
was best that the paroxysm of grie
should go untrammeled. The nurse,
young woman unused as yet to the II
. evitableness Of death, moved timidl
| toward the windows and adjusted til
curtains to admit more light.
= AT last when Pills strength yielde
to the strain Of his sorrow and til
) very force of his agony had spent
: self the doctor leaned over the imam
mate form and looked into the eyes.
, ut has ended, Phil" he whisperet
t "Your mother is in heaven
l In heaven! What a tocsin of woe
t a message of faith. The boy suddenl
: stood up. Hope was murdered with
him. His tears ceased, and his lahore
e breathing came under control with
6 mighty effort. He stopped and kisse
the pale cheeks twice.
"Goodby, mother" he said, and IL
|, dull pain In his voice was so hear
h rending that the nurses sympathi'
T mastered her She burst out cryin
]. Professional instinct came TO the do
!. tors aid. He sharply reprimanded Il
s half hysterical woman and sent her c
on an errand to bring those whose du
II il Is TO render the last services to fra