Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-11-14

"Yes, It IS" replied the poor woman.
'The newspapers never get names
right, and ike enough the hospital
people made the mistake themselves"
Now. don't you worry. mother, dear.
III go to the hospital-Tll do no work
today-and see II it's Mike. But I'm
sure Il isn't"
So Kathleen. instead Of going to the
factory, started for the hospital and on
reaching It asked to see the body Of
TIE man who had died there the day
before. She was taken to where the
body lay, and the moment she looked
at It the tears started to her eyes, and
she turned them away at once, 30
CHASTITY was the sight.
Its my brother, Mike Kelley" she
moaned.
She went away, stopping at Nora's to
break the sad news to her. Nora was
broken hearted. but bore her afiiiction
with resignation. She went with
Kathleen to Mrs. Kelley and told her
that the body I'm the hospital was
Mikes.
After awhile when they had become
quieted they took steps to have the
body brought to the house for the fu-
neral. They called in friends, who
took the burden upon themselves of
making all the preparations. An un-
dertaker was instructed to bring the
body, and all other details were at
tended to.
The same evening the body arrived
already I'm its coffin.
A number Of friends looked at Nike.
each making some remark.
"He looks very natural" said one.
"He must have died a peaceful death"
How changedP said another. "Td
scarcely know him"
And so the comments went on. Mrs.
Kelley gazed down upon the corpse,
her face blinded with tears. Nora
would not look at it, saying that she
preferred to remember the happy u
tenance of her lover as she saw 1t
when he looked up at her while she
was sitting ut her window the last day
he ever went to work.
When the day of the funeral came
round the mother, the sister and the
betrothed were given seats near the
coffin, while the friends Of the family
took chairs behind them. There they
awaited the opening of the funeral
ceremony.
We left Mike on his way to his work.
He was engaged in laying brick all
day, and just before knocking of the
boss drove up in a buggy and said to
him:
mike, I've got a call for a chimney
out in the country. The carpenter
work is all done. and they can't do any
more till the chimney is put in. I've
agreed to send a man out tonight to
go to work the first thing in the morn
ing. / want you to go"
Mike demurred, but the boss offered
him double pay, and he consented. A
train was leaving in half an hour.
which was barely enough time for
him TO catch It. He arrived at his
d~e~tinStion ~ 4 4 o'clock at night and
found a team waiting for hin that car
ried him fifteen miles into the country.
where there was no other house thai
the one being built within a consider
able distance.
Mike worked several days on the
chimney. He thought he should try to
get word to his family as to the rea-
son for his absence, but he was too
busy to think much about 1t. He had
once or twice remained on a job for
several days without going home or
sending word and did not expect to
be longer on this one. But before he
finished 1t he was called upon to put
I'm the foundation walls for a house
ready to be built a few miles away
and was offered double pay If he would
do 1t. He thought what a beautiful
bridal gift he could buy for Nora with
the extra money he was earning. He
would take the job and if-Nora com
planned of his being away 30 long just
before the wedding he would console
her with the gift
When Mike finished his work and
went home. as he approached the
house where his mother lived he saw
a hearse and carriages standing before
the door. Terrified, he went In, eager
to know who was dead. There sat his
mother and sister and bride to be in
a row before a coffin. His mother gave
him one look and tainted. Nora drew
back from him. Those occupying the
rear seats tumbled Over each other to
get through the narrow door.
Kathleen alone seemed to take in the
situation.
Mike" she cried. "ye're not dead.
after alll'
Dead? Why should ! be deadT'
II made a mistake. Mebbe / didn't
look close enough"
whats the matter with you ALP
asked Mike,
By this time Nora had recovered heI
wits and few TO her lovers arms. bury
ing her face on his breast and crying:
"Oh, Mike. sure it's a miraclel We
thought you We're In your coffin"
"In my coffin? Do | look like thatf'