Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-04-16

eWNA the mountains in the back
GHPK ground, and all the end
less variety OF sunshine
and shadow! Divine, indeed, with the
divinity of spring. The very smallest
and sweetest of the early wild flowers
bloomed in the sheltered places. and
the quail nesting on the hillside, called
melodlously across the valleys. Mead
ow larks rippled their melody of tune
under foot, and the long absent lizards
summed themselves luxuriously on the
rocks.
II was as though, after the mighty
throes of travail Mother Nature
hnshed upon her breast. with the
brooding OF tender motherhood, the
blessed Child, as yet too young for
its full uncovering.
II was a day to revive old loves and
longings. and to arouse the fires OF old
content and all uncharitableness. And
over all the quiet OF the morning the
bells peRled their Christ is risen."
and the tremor OF their echoes thrilled
you to your finger tips.
Mrs. Chester dressed herself slowly
and with much elaboration, that Eas-
ter morning. The gauzy spring gown
lay. In all It's dainty fiuffiness OF laces
and ruiiies and tucks, upon her bed.
Beside II lay the dainty hat and gloves
and the creamy parasol which was to
cast just the right tinge OF white over
the piQuant face of the pretty little
woman who was to carry II. A tiny.
tiny lace handkerchief lay over a bit
of a purse. wherein was the CLEAN of
gold; and a great bunch Of mammoth
violets Allied the room with their fra
GRANGE.
She was as bride who arrayed her
self for the coming OF her bridegroom
and OF this she thought, but d quick
frown gathered on her brow. a worried
little frown which fingered until the
final settling OF the dainty hat upon
the fluffy dark hair finally drove 1t
away.
The bells again rang out their
"Christ is risen" as she stepped from
the door. She paused a moment, then,
turning. walked rapidly around the
house. beyond the pepper trees, across
the rose garden TO where. in a stately
row. the great white Easter lilies lift.
cd their heads to drink IN the beauty
Of the morning. A little terrace led
up TO them. and upon this she stepped
daintily. one hand grasping the little
nicotiea of her toilet--the white gloves
the bit of lace, the pocketbook where
in were the pieces OF gold to be
dropped. with musical Jingle. from
tiny fingers into the contribution has
ket; the dainty skirts and the furled
parasol. With the other hand she
broke on the long-stemmed lilies
raised them caressingly TO her cheek
whitfield their fragrance. and stepped
hack. Her foot slipped and turned on
the forgotten terrace. there was q lit
lie cry, as she fell. with all the snowi
ness OF her garments about her. and
the vioIets and the Easter lilies upor
her breast.
She lay quietly q moment. dRzet
and sickened by the suddenness ant
pain OF the fall. She tried TO move
but warning pains shot up In the foo
doubled under her Then she calles
and waited. and called again; but no
body answered. Again she waited
then she became droway and q faint
ness stole upon her, The bells ranl
cut: II am the resurrection and tn
life' over and over again. Then al
was still. Faint sounds began TO fore
themselves upon her dull ears--thl
Grip. drip. drip Of the hydrant into
! stone hasln. the rpplInE note Or twl