Page:Dream Life - Mitchell - 1899? Altemus.djvu/312

 9& DREAM-LIFE.

The same old man is in his chamber: he cannot leave his chair now. Madge is be side him: Nelly is there too, with her eldest-born. Madge has been reading to the old man : it was a passage of promise of the Bible promise.

&quot;A glorious promise,&quot; says the old

man feebly. &quot; A promise to me, a

promise to her poor Madge!&quot;

&quot; Is her picture there, Maggie ? &quot;

Madge brings it to him : he turns his head ; but the light is not strong. They wheel his chair to the window. The sun is shining brightly : still the old man cannot see.

&quot; It is getting dark, Maggie.&quot;

Madge looks at Nelly wistfully sadly.

The old man murmurs something; and

Madge stoops : &quot; Coming,&quot; he says

&quot;coming ! &quot;

Nelly brings the little child to take his hand. Perhaps it will revive him. She lifts her boy to kiss his cheek.

The old man does not stir : his eyes do not move : they seem fixed above. The child cries as his lips touch the cold cheek :

It is a tender SPRING flower, upon the

bosom of the dying WINTER !

The old man is gone : his dream

fife is ended.

THE END.