The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1918-11-21
His Last Love Letter

At intervals through the night tn
Little Woman heard the subduet
voices OF those who watched over hel
dear dead-her husband.
Snatches Of sleep came to her dur
ing the hours that dragged themselves
slowly, but they were broken by Z
moan, or voice asking for water, OF
the touch of hot hand. These were
however, only imaginary. The voice
was hushed and the fevered hands
were folded over a still breast in the
room below.
With the first light Of morning, the
great cutting pain returned, that, like
a knife, had entered her heart when
those at the bedside said, "He is
gone" and when she arose she stag
gcred like an aged person"
Dropping back on the bed, she gave
herself up for a moment to the weak
ness and the pain.
Then the stirring of child and the
tossing of wee hand caught her eye.
Rising, she went TO the bed and patted
the baby gently. Then she went to
another little bed where two children
slept
II am all they have now" she said,
tears blurring the picture Of the little
brown head and the one with golden
hair. "For them | must live and love
and work and be patient. For theml
For them"
Through the shadows cast by wi
dow's veil the Little Woman watched
loving hands hide newly made grave
under fragrant flowers, and when it
was all over she returned home.
1t was little home, but dearer now
than ever. On every side were re-
membranes, and tears came to her
eyes as the comforts and conveniences
he had arranged for her met her at
at every turn.
"But it might be worse" she said
bravely. 81 might not have a home"
Then thought came suddenly. The
look of sorrow on her face gave place
to one of distress. In her worry and
pain of the last few weeks she had for
gotten the mortage.
1t had not before seemed large, but
that was because he had been there.
Now it doomed upon her in tremendous
proportions.
Alone in the world with three little
childrenl No income; no home! The
realization of her condition came slow
ly-too grave to be grasped at once:
What should be done? What could
she do? What can any woman do who
finds herself in an unkind world with
helpless children?
She determined to be brave and for
a few moments struggled with the
storm of disappointment and sorrow
that seemed about TO flood her. But
it was no use. Flinging herself on the
floor in front of his chair, she buried
her face and gave herself up to sobs.
A step sounded at the door. She
paid no heed. Someone knocked, but
she did not answer until the knocking
grew insistent.
The insistent visitor proved to be a
bank messenger, who came with
bundle of papers.
as it the mortage?" she exclaimed.
at is your husbands papers, see!"
And handing her the package she no
ticed the writing, "To be delivered to
nv wife the day of my funeral.
When she unwrapped the bundle she
found many letters. On the top one
was written, my last love letter.
dearest Sweetheart, Dearest Wife:
When you receive this | will be far
away from you; so far that the only
answer you can give me will be your
love. | am writing this
alone in the office where | sit think
ng of you and the babies. | wonder
now old and how large they will be
when you get this. Very old, l hope.
This is my last love letter. Do you re-
member the first? How strange it
seemed to be writing it, and how hap
~ ! wasl wanted you so! And do
,ou remember the answer you wrote :?
shall never forget it. You will find
/ with my valuables. Now | am writ
ng my last, and am happy, for no
hadow makes me think it will soon be
cad. With my first letter | sent
lowers. In this | enclose a life in
urance policy. | chose the company
'ou find it in, because it was safe,
nd | got more in it for my invested
money than | could in any other. You
nav be surprised how managed with
he expense of the family keep the
olicy paid. But you will remember
re often did without things we want
d, and you will know why, after your
ing illness, / borrowed money. was
sometimes to let it drop, but +,
was afraid to. My love for you
aid no. Now it is yours-yours and
ne childrens-and you need not ,
ant for any necessary comforts if
on manage well. This knowledge
lakes it worth ten times over what |
ne policy has cost. That is all. 1t
,mes to you as an expression of my /
we. May God bless and keep you and
lie babies"
The First National Bank, Emmett,
laho will issue policy to you that c
i'll make your last love Letter to c