OMEN OF DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 259, 1 November 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

OMEN OF DEATH.

PICTURE FORETELLS TRAGEDY

FELL THREE TIMES

END OP LIFELONG DEVOTION

Three • times the picture which hung on the wall of Mrs. Saphira Sauger's house in Whitehorse Lane, South Norwood, fell to the ground, a happening which would have terrorised the superstitious into the dread fear of death which, according to an ancient omen, it portended It did, indeed, herald the tragic climax of a romantic lifelong devotion which existed between two sisters, neighbours of Mrs. Sanger, and daughters, of a Scottish clergyman. In one of the comfortable living rooms of Mrs. Sanger's house there hangs a mezzotint print of a certain well-known painting depicting an event of Cromwell's day. None were so earnest, however, in thenlove of this particular piece of work than Mrs. Sanger's next-door neighbour, Miss Mary Helen Mihvard, a sweet-faced old lady of seventy, who had lived at 240, White Horse Lane —a neat little corner villa with ivy-clad windows—for over thirty-five years. Until three years ago, Miss Milward's sister, Elizabeth, who was three years her senior, also lived at 240. Over half a century ago, when both were young, freshfaced pretty girls, they decided to spend their lives together. No romance came to break that resolve apparently, for it was maintained with rare happiness and content until three years ago. Then the hand of death stretched out and gathered Miss Elizabeth, just as she had reached the age of seventy. That was a terrible blow to Miss Helen, as she was known. She was, however, by no .means of the hermit type. She was a frequent visitor to the house of Mrs. Sanger next door, where, she was held in great affection. . Often during these risits her eyes would light on her favourite picture hanging on one of Mrs. Sanger's walls, and she would regard it with keen pleasure. Found in Kitchen. Mrs. ■ Sanger '. saw nothing significant about it'when-one morning it was discovered that the picture had fallen from its nail, and didn't even mention the matter to the old lady. Then, some weeks ago, the picture again fell. Still, Mrs. Sanger saw nothing sinister about the occurence. One night Miss Helen paid her customary visit next door, and sat laughing and chatting in high spirits until, about 8.30, she left, as was her rule, for she was in the habit of retiring early. The following morning Mrs. Sanger noticed that the old lady had not taken in her milk, but thought nothing of it. coming to the conclusion that she had gone to early church, as she often liked to do. Entering the room where hung the mezzotint, Mrs. Sanger was distinctly annoyed to find it had again left its nail and was lying on the floor. Thrice it had so fallen. Somewhere towards lunch time she knocked on Miss Helen's glass panelled door, carrying a little fruit tart.she had made for her—a Sunday morning custom— and, receiving no answer to her repeated knocking, peered through the panel. As it opened she could peer right through into the kitchen of No. 240, and saw lying on the floor of the kitchen Miss Helen. She was fully dressed, as though about to leave for early morning church, and on her face was her old sweet smile. But she was quite dead. Relatives were sent for,, and the old lady's brother, who is a well-known missionary, and who has spent several years in the China mission field, was located in Scotland, whence he was summoned by telegram. There was no mystery about the old lady's end, however. She had died quite naturally, going to join her sister Elizabeth with a smile on her lips—and, curiously enough, at exactly the same age as her sister had attained. And now the inseparable sisters are united again. Was. the ' thrice falling picture an omen that this would be so?