Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-05-19
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
Basil keith'S Revenge.
BY LILA NJ. LAIRD.
CHAPTER [.

10 iio'iCA Ot'y oiChs
I'm afraid she is, my poor child, bu,
maybe she would be better if twas war
mer here. This room is cold enough to
freeze ones very BREATH" and, Matty
Ridge. kneeling upon the broken hearth,
tried in vain to fan the feeble fire into
something like blaze.
There's no use in trying to make
these chips burn, they are too wet; hut
don't look grieved about it, Jane-I'll
run over home and get something to
make you up nice fire. and, brushing
the ashes from her apron. the kind-he
ed neighbor left the room.
Jane Keith sal down on the floor, and
shiveringly pulled her little shawl over
her shoulders, but she soon sprang to
her feet, for from low bed in the cor.
ncr came voice
Jane! Jane! where are your
Here. close by you, MOTHER and the
child pressed her rosy cheek to the thin
white hand of The sick woman; but are
you worse!-do tell me, do you wan
any ihins'
No, nothing; only | am chilled from
head to foot. Jane, it is very cold ir
here
IL know il. dear mother. The fire
will not burn, bu, Ma,ty Ridge has gone
TO get some wood. Perhaps, when she
gets back we will be warmer
Gertrude Keith gave no heed to these
remarks. She closed her eyes, and lay
thus so long anG 80 silently that the Iii.
lie girl thought she slept. But Jane wa.
mistaken. for, when she sought TO move
away, the cold fingers .ightened upor
hers, and the low, sweet voice murmur
| ed ~
| 'Don's leave me, Jane; want to tall
to you. You are cold, child; come clos,
TO me;' and. creeping under the misera
BILE covering. Jane Keith clung with
shuddcr TO her mother. is there any
money in the house, Jane!'
The child shook her head sadly.
Have we any wood!'
Only little pieces that the neighbor
give u.s.; and Jane hid her face in the pill
low. and cried.
'Poor darling. SO young and yet Sc
wretched,' said Gertrude Keith, passing
her hand gently over her daughters silk
en- curls. i could cry, too. not for my
self. but for you
And was crying for yon, mother;
and ,he little girl wiped her eyes ant
tried TO smile.
Well, then. daughter, we will hav
no tears; and now tell me where is Ba
sil!'
lie went away early this morning. :
lie has gone to look for work.
'FheE he go, none yesterday
No. mother
poor Basil! poor janet murmure,
the sick woman. Then again she clos
ed her eyes. but this time Jane knew sn
was not sleeping. Gertrude Keith wa
praying, and the cry OF her agonize,
heart was. Lord, have mercy on m,
childrenn
Along the dark passage came quick
boyish step, then the door opened, an
Basil Keith came into the room. Mrs
Keith raised herself upon her elbow an
looked eagerly at her SON
| Can you get any work, Basi!'
i .No-no.' and, with sort of sobbin
moan, the boy knelt beside the little bed
Il dom. mind being so poor for myself
mother, but it makes my heart sick I
think can do nothing for you and siste
Jane
| 'As for me- said Gertrude Keith
calmly, Il shall soon be where hunge
and cold cannot come. Don't cry. m
darlings. | sorrow only for you, dea
son, sweet daughter, this will be, indee
the bitterness of death. to 60 from you
and leave you SO lonely. so miserable. ;
| And little Jane answered her mo,he
only by passionate burst Of tears; bu
Basil, raising his head, said cheerfully--
"You will not die, mother; you wi
get well, and then ! can get work, an
we will all be happy once more
] Poor dreamer, whispered the sic
woman. and then she twined her arm
more fondly round her children, and tn
three, clinging together, wep, bitterly.