Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/135

Rh cated how rapt had been the interest of all spectators. A few moments later his eyes opened, and as they grew cognisant of the beloved face which hung so eagerly over his, a smile suffused his pale features, and his lips moved softly as though seeking to kiss the sweeter lips that were so near. Ah, those sweet lips might well bring life and health and strength to any mortal man that had not fairly passed into the silent land. Softly and lovingly she kissed him again and again: this was no time for maiden coyness or modesty: what mattered it that hundreds of men and women stood around watching her every motion? They were as naught to her, there was but one human being whose existence was of any moment; could she but bring him back to her she cared for nothing more in this world. And amid the mingled laughter and tears of those who caught the sympathetic joy of victorious devotion she brought him back from the twilight of life to its full dawn, when at last his lips parted once more and murmured softly yet plainly, "My own dearest love!"

But what of Dana? Why is it that in this world one man's joy must be another's grief? Poor fellow!