Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-10-29
The Death Of Little Paul.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

mother, and her picture in the drawing.
room down stairs, aud though she must
have loved sweet Florence better than his
father did, to have held her in her arms
when she felt that she was dyiug-for even
he, her brother, who had such dear love
for her could have no greater wish than
that. The train of thought suggested to
him to inquire ST he had ever seen his
mother; for he could not remember
whether they had told him, yes or know,
the river running very fast and confusing
his mind.
"Floy, did I ever see mammal"
"No, darling, why ?"
"Did l ever see any kind face, like
mammals looking at me when was baby,
Floy 2"
He asked, incrcdulously, as if he had
some vision of face before him.
"Oh yes, dear?'
81" Whose, Floy?"
"Your old nurses. Often"
"And where is my old nursc?" said
Paul. Is she dead, too? Floy, arc we
all dead, except you 2"
There was hurry in the room, for an
instant-longcr perhaps; but it seemed no
more-then all was still again and Flor
encc, with her face colorlcss, but smiling,
held his head upon her arm. Her arm
trembled very much.
"Show me that old nurse, Floy, if you
please"
"She is not hero, darling She shall
come tomorrow.
THANK you, Floy"
Paul closed his eyes with those words,
and fell asleep. When he awoke, the sun
was high, and the broad day was clear and
warm. He lay q little, looking at the
windows, which were open, and the cur
tains rustling in the air, and waving to and
fro: then he said, Floy, is it tomorrow.
Is she come! 2"
Some one seemed to 90 in quest of her.
Perhaps it was Susan. Paul thought he
heard her telling him when he had closed
his eyes again. that she would soon be
back but he did DOT open them to see.
She kept her word-perhaps she had
never been away-but the next thing that
happened was a noise Of footsteps on the
stalls. aud then raui woke-wOkc mind
aud body-and sat upright in bed. He
saw them now about him. There was no
gray mist before them, as there had been
sometimes in the night. He knew them
every one, and called them by their
names.
"And who is this? Is this my old
nurse ?" said the child, regarding with a
radiant smile, figure coming in.
Yes, yes. No other stranger would
have shed those tears at eight Of him, and
called him her dear boy, her own poor,
blighted child. No other woman would
have stopped down by his bed, and taken
up his wasted hand, and put it to her lips
aud breast, as one who had some right to
foudle it. No other woman would have
SO forgotten everybody there but him and
Floy, aud been SO full Of tenderness and
pity.
"Floy this is kind good FACET said
Paul. Al am glad to see it again. Don't
60 away old nurse. Stay here"
His senses were all quickcned, and he
heard name he knew.
"Who was that, who said Walter 7" he
asked, looking around. "Somc one said
Walter. Is he here! l should like to
see him very much"
Nobody replied directly; but his "a
ther soon said to Susan, Call him back,
then let him come up!" After short
pause Of expectation, during which he
looked with smiling interest aud wonder,
on his nurse, and saw that she had not for
gotten Flcy, Walter was brought into his
room. His open face and manner, and
his cheerful eyes, had always made him a
favorite with Paul; and when Paul saw
him, he stretched out his hand, and said
Good.bye!'
"Good.bye my child" cried Mrs.
Pipchin. hurryiug to his bed. "Not
Good bye?"
For an instant, Paul looked at her with
the wistful face with which he had so of:
ten gazed upon her in his corner by the
fire. "Ah, yes" he said placidly
goodbye! Walter dear, goodbye !"
turning his head to where he stood, and
putting out his hand again. Where is
Papay"
He felt his fathers breath upon his
check before the words had parted from his
lips. .,
Remember, Walter, dear Papa" he
whispered, looking in his face. Remea,,
Der Walter. l was fond of Walter y
| The feeble hand waved in the air, as he
cried /" good. d.bye!" to Walter once again
"Now lay me down." he said, sand
Floy. come close to me, and let me see
you"
Sister and brother wound their arms
around each other. and the golden light
came streaming in, aud fell upon them
locked together. >.
"How fast the river runs, between it
green banks aud the rushes, Floy! But
it is very near the sea. l hear the waves
They always said so J"
Presently he told her that the motion
of the boat upon the stream was lulline
him to rest. How green the banks arc