PERHAPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 3

PERHAPS.

A FANTASY.

BY H. M. COSTErXO.

I knew I was dying and felt horribly afraid! Though I begged them not to leave me, the people who had been standing about the room drifted off without hearing. As the door closed behind the last I was startled by a whimsical sigh bohind me and, turning quickly, saw a lovely woman dressed in filmy, iridescent white. Her blue eyes dancing, she held toward me a sheaf of what I somehow knew were gifts. "Who are you?" I ventured, "and what are you bringing me?" "I? I am Life!" she said. "Life of wticfu you asked so much —still, ask once more—but swiftly, for I have not. long to stay!"

"Then give me Peace," I begged, "and Love and Loyalty!" After busying herself a moment with her treasures she held out three parcels, but when I went to take them she laughed mockingly, keeping them just beyond my reach. I grew uneasy but, getting up, followed her to the window where she looked lovelier than ever in the warm glow of a brilliant sunset. Her eyes were not kind though and, suddenly, throwing her silvery veil across her hoard, she exclaimed impatiently: "Enough! I'm going now—your quest is almost won." Dreading to be left alone, I clutched at her robe, but it melted in my fingers and she vanished as silently as she had come. I was alone—petrified with fear—alone —in—space! Then in the mists that now replaced the wall through which Life had vanished, a Presence (I don't know how else to describe the intangible, yet majestic thing) loomed dimly. Knowing all the time that it was useless, I prayed wildly that someone—something—would prevent its coming nearer, and cowejed with tight-shut eyes, deafened by the throbbing of my heart. Suddenly, my crazed terror was stilled by '{be calming sweetness of a voice floating from far above me. I raised iny head, but could see only two enormous wings, of velvety darkness, that canopied my world. "Who are you?" I faltered, "and what do you want of me?" Tbe caressing voice that replied was like the touch of cod fingers on my hot forehead. "You know," it said, slowly, "but why do you fear me so ? I bring but what Life has refused, yet now you spurn what you, in vain, besought." Speechless, I watched the great wings quiver—come closer—closer —in each vibration showing more loveliness of colour &nd of texture, while ever the tender voice crooned soothingly: "Has life then been so wonderful? No pain ? No tears ? No loneliness of soul ? No friends who failed or loved ones grown unloving ? No self-reproach for things done, or undone?" Nearer the wings, now softly grey, swept down. I felt their warmth upon my shivering body—they grew brighter —each tiny feather luminous. I thought of storm clouds lined with gold—of the sheen of the moon on the sea.

A strange, sweet fragrance filled the air and, while I wondered was it violets or sun-warmed, rain-drenched earth, or just my own lost baby's breath, the wings enfolded me, and I—in peace beyond imagining—awoke!