Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-26
THE JOY OF LIVING.

Day after day Tor eight long, weary
years, Miriam had sat at her window
gazing up at the sky, and below into
the orchard. Sho had watched the
trees budding In the spring. and the
flowers blooming all tho summer. She
had seen the leaves fall. and the earth
grow dreary in autumn, and the soft,
white snow cover the ground in win
ter. The seasons had become her
teachers. and each year she learned
new lessons.
Spring was creeping over the earth,
and Miriam sat at the window listening
to the endless songs Of the birds,
watching the feecy clouds. like so
many white ships over the sea, scud-
ding across the clear blue sky. She
was thinking how she should love TO
be able to walk across the velyety
grass In the orchard again.
Leaving her to her thoughts for a
moment, lot us study her. She was
one Of two children, and the idolized
only daughter of Major and Mrs. Cole
granted, and her happiness was the
end for which this loving mother and
rather lived. The orchard had been
Miriams haven of delight. She was
the birds friend. and disturbed them
no more than IL shc were one of tho
growing flowers. There had come a
day. though, when all her friends'
hearts had been saddened. Miriam had
oeen seriously injured in railroad ac-
cldent. and although the best medical
ara mad been procured. the final de-
cision' made by kindly middle-aeed
physician. had been. she will never
walk again" And so for eight years
she had sat at her window, longing r.
walk again yet enduring patiently all
the PAIN and never complaining.
AS she sat thus, on this lovely morn
lns IN early spring. frail. beautiful
sNri OF eighteen. she was living over
again the days before the accident.
W. mnen she had wandered about among
inc beautiful flowers. she the most
beautiful Of them all. Suddenly the
door opened, and in walked her doctor
re mad come at this time every morn.
ing Tor eight years. His face was
aslow and his eyes sparkling with tho
roy OF living; he was full OF the low
ana ViGor OF youth. He had heon y
doctor for only four years, but he had
oeen her playmate for many years. He
came forward eagerly. and without
the usual greeting and inquiry an To
now she felt. he said, IT have news r.
gay TOT YOU that hopo Will make Won
nappy Drawing chair closer, he
looking past her into the orchard :"
now would you like to be able TO 90
our mere, again. as you used tor"
me girfs eyes grew dark, and her
breast breast rose and fell. quickly, excitedlv
WIN deep sigh that quivered and
.nI u IN almost sob. she exclaimed.
ph' LOB. l should love that better
!, than anything else in the world. Ia
H. can 1t be possible? You won,dn',
want to tease MOI" h
=. NO. he answered. deeply moved
by her earnestness. mo, womIdn.,
ease you. but, Miriam, this mornine
4; met an old friend of fathers. who
you, and he said that he was sure be
Souid make you walk AS he watched
hef eyes brighten, and her face g..
a. inc thought. he thought. IF he
should fail! Oh. IL he should fam"
ohe morning. five weeks later. sb.
s.ooo on the porch between Doctor Roh
ana ner brother, ready to make ber
hrst trip into tho orchard. The a,r
was hlled with the faint sweat nor.
iuIIe OF the lilacs and early roses. The
apple trees were in full bloom. and
alohs the borders near the fence the
bright mnny-colored tulips and bvao
cinths grew. The grass, as soft a..
veivet' was dotted here and there win
niue plots OF flowers. The birds were
hsns Joyously, and the sun was
SHINING brightly. All the world seemed
10 be welcoming Miriam back to her
.aVorite haunt. Under tho largest annie
tree was big, comfortable chair. near
"hich stood a stand with some hooks
ana bowl of bright red apples.
She timidly put ono foot forth ona
hnding 1t steady. gained COURAGE ana
put forth the other. Her eyes were
bright and deep; there was a wild
rose bloom on her checks, and her rc-
bellious curls were blowing about her
race. She looked very beautiful thar
TO her mother, father and brother. also
TO Doctor Vaughn. who had made her
SO she could walk. and especially d;d
she look sweet and pretty to Doctor
Bob. ~ ootor
She reached her chair, and s,tt,n~
tnere smiled back ut those who stood
Watching her. smile of such gladnoss
mat their hearts were set at rest. The
pai freshness of tho air. combined
with tho beauty Of tho scene before
her. and the joy Of an answered nraver
go overcame her that she loaned bach
closed her eyes. relaxed every muscle
and rested. 'o
Whom she opened her eyes she found
DOCTOR Bob sitting on tho grass at her
rect The others seeing them thus
wisely went into the house. LEAVING
them alone.
(End.)
MATTE CHERRY.
M.