The Marshall republican., 1908-07-10
FROM DEATH
TO LIFE
~ EVELYN HASKELL

copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Cal

looked AROUND tne TOOnn. III VIZ
' identically the same a. when she
had left it a year ago-just - small,
! just as dingy, just as depressing.
4 She had left it, hopeful and happy,
in the morning with Ne sun shin.
ing in. She came back to il on q
chill, rainy evening, discouraged
and respondent.
Mechanically she took on her hat
and coat and laid them on the table,
then opened her handbag and took
out a small package. The removal
Of the white wrapping paper showed
a tiny bottle. She sat down and
stared at il.
"a year ago." she thought bitter
ly, at seemed 80 simple-twelve
months Of freedom and happiness
and then when the money was gone
to end everything. But tonight
I'm a coward. ] can't do il! / won't
try TO deceive myself know why
IL is. | can't bear to leave the world
while he is in it, ever though he
has ceased to care for me-"
Hilda put the bottle on the
table and began TO slowly pace the
room, back and forth. back and
| forth, like a Gagged panther.
81 asked only one gift Of Life and
that has been denied me. Tonight
| am unhappier, if that were posi-
bic, than a year ago. Then / was
numb with shaving to keep soul and
body together: now ! have walked
up to what life might be under the
| right conditions"
The rain beat drearily upon the
windows.
But what can I do? This room
is mine for n more night and /
have just enough money left to bury
me %decently. II 7 should 60 back
on my compact what would happen ?
II might b. weeks before | should
find any work. and then, after all,
il would only be the same old slav-
cry again. ] would rather be dead"
She started nervously. 81 wonder
why his face keeps coming up before
me. oh, IL | could only forget i'll"
Suddenly she threw herself on the
bed and burst into wild weeping.
"Oh, | want him so" she sobbed.
She wept until stopped by sheer
WEAKNESS, then lay gazing at the
hideous wall paper. Her mind
travelled back over the events Of the
previous year.
When her mother died Hilda had
been left utterly alone in the big
city. She had no near relatives
and only a few casual acquaintance
made in the establishment where
she sewed as fast as her fingers could
fly from early morning till late at
night. Fragile from a child, the
hard work was fast wearing her
away and since her mothers death
she had no heart for anything. Then
put of a clear sky had dropped this
little inheritance from an almost
forgotten cousin to whom she was
next of kin. When Hilda received
the money a daring scheme took pos
session of her mind-she would
give up work for one year, which
was the length of time she figured
the money would last, she would
live exactly as she pleased. She
would have pretty clothes, would
travel, and would live like the be-
ings in some more fortunate walks
of life. Then when she had had
her fling and the money was gone
she. would say good-by to life. "Bet-
ter one year of real happiness" she
| told herself, 'than a lifetime Of this
miserable existence"
The program had been carried
out exactly as planned and Hilda
had found health and happiness in
it-happiness greater than she had
ever dreamed could come to her,
for she had loved, and, she was sure,
had been loved. 1t was one Of the
men in her travelling party. He was
Iconvalescing from a severe illness
and had been obliged to go away for
a long rest and complete chsngS.
She had been kind TO him in his
feeble state and Al he grew better
and stronger he had sought hsr 30
ciety ON every occasion. Then sn-
other woman stepped in. She did
not care for,shim--simply wanted
ALA