The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-03-12
"You will not be long out Of service.

the papers say"
did not answer him. did not under
stand why he was in almost high spirits
ut my going awny, us II It had been n
weight upon his mind and my absence
would removeit.
I" may call and see the child?" l ask
ed, turning to my mistress. ~ could
not live and not see little Paul"
There was strange hesitation here
that struck me-that bewildered me.
The husbands face Swallowed and his
brow contracted as though Ind insult
ell him by the appeal, and Mrs. Mayfield
drew a long breath and stared at me.
Certainly, Martha" she said, how
ever, "as often as you please"
Mr.. Mayfield said not word; he took
up book and feigncd to be absorbed in
its perusal; and went away discon-
tented and suspicious woman, and heav-
en- knows why. Perhaps i was going
mad, and they had seen the symptoms
and had grown afraid of me. That was
the only solution to it all, which could
| guess ut, and l was like n mad woman
when it came to saying goodbye to little
Paul.
Then came another "cut" for me;
was not to call too frequently. l unset
tied the boy; he could think of nothing
else but my visits and the little presents
which brought him. 1t would be much
the better plan to keep away for fort
night or three weeks, they thought.
every WELL" said again; "if can
keep away, l will. But did not think,
mistress, You would ever say as much to
me"
" 1t is for Paul's sake. Arthur thinks
/ it is right-it is" And then Mrs.
Maytield burst into tears, and begged me
to go away. She was not strong enough
| to argue with me. If the boy missed me
or WAS very unhappy, she would send
/ for me To come to him.
l kept away for three weeks. / did
not even haunt the house or the street in
which the house was-I was too much
afraid Of meeting them or giving them Of
fence. At the end of that time went Ia
see them. l remember it was showing
fast and close on Chistmas time.
Mr.. Mayfeld opened the door, started,
hcsitated, and then said:
All, Martha, come in for moment.
was thinking of you to-day"
went into the little front parlor,
where there was no Mrs. Mayfield, and
where seemed signs of desolation-of Il
new emptiness which l did not under
stand.
- have some bad news for you,
Martha" he said; "our little Paul is
very ill"
"Paul ill., exclaimed; "and you did
not send for mc-tid not let me know!
Oh, Mr.. Mayfeld, why have you treated
mc like this?"
" Hush, hush! you must not make the
least noise i'll the house now" he said,
sternly. Perfect peace is my poor
boy S only chance"
- will go to him."
"You would kill him directly. The
least excitement or shock of surprise
would kill him; he is very weak"
"And his mother?"
" Sits up with him night and day.
I He will have no one hut his mother,
Martina"
"Hc would he glad if L"
"Not now," said Mr.. Maytield, inter-
rupting me. He is too ill to be dis
turbed even by your kindness"
"But-he will recovcr?"
eve hope So"
"Oh. ] am sure; he Ii SO strong boy
so healthy. What has changed him,
and i'll so short time?'
Fever"
"Poor Paul! my poor, dear little
flower! ] may come Tomorrow and ask
about him p
eff you WISH" said Mr.. Mayfield
graciously; "and if he is better you shall
see him."
81 thank you very much," / muir
INJURED.
But he was no better the next day, and
the following the white blinds were all
down before the windows, saw them
rs l came up the street. / leaned
against the opposite wall and shook rs
with IN ague. tottered across the road
and knocked. Mr.. Mayfield opened the
door again, and looked winter and sterner
than had seen bm yet.
He liz gone; he is dead, then" !
cried; "and you have never let me come
to him."
eyes, We have lost our poor boy" he
answered, moodily.
/" must see him; You must not say no
10 me again, said, almost dcfiantly.
"He was dearcr To me than to you,
swear. He loved me better than his
mother; | swear that, too; and you have
let him die without me-"
Martha, you excite yourself unneces-
sarily; you distress me; you will alarm
my wife; you"
MAY see the child ?" l asked, per-
emptorily.
Eyes, you may" was the reply.
"Poor little fellow! There is no dis
turbing him now"
felt the tears rushing 10 my eyes. l
was choking, and could not answer him.
"Hcre is my Wife" he said; and
through my binding tears ] saw my
mistress glide in like II ghost, and with a
ghost-like face which chilled.
"She wishes to see our boy"
"Now 2" asked Mrs. Mayfield.
"Does il matter when ?" said her hus-
band "Surely, our faithful Martha
has claim to see him first of ALL"
eyes, ycs--l think ~" assented the
wife. Then we all three went up stairs
into the darkcned room, where he lay in
his little bed Ms though he were asleep.
Glow long has he been dead ?" /
whispered as l entered, and sank down
on my knees to gaze upon him.
"Sot two hours yet, whispered Mrs.
Mayfield back to Inc.
" Are you sure he is dead 2" / in-
quired.
Mrs. Mayfeld gave a suppressed cry,
, and her husband stopped and looked into
my face;
please ?"
"Not yet"
"But."
81 will not go yet" said very firm
~; "and you cannot Ding me from him.
I'm too strong"
"Well, well, for little while longer,
then" said Mr.. Mayfeld, "until-"
The door was opening, there was a
fourth person in the house. Hooked up
instinctively to see who this could be,
who had had the privilege to stay here
whilst ! was kept away; and the face
that peered round the door was that of
the man who had stopped me in the
streets and asked about poor Paul. l
knew his wicked eyes and the long trail
ing moustaches at once, and yet did
not scream or rave. l covered down and
hid my head. When I looked up again,
only Mrs. Mayfeld was in the room, and
my heart Was beating very fast.
"My poor Martha is it not time we
went down stairs?" she asked gently.
Can this grief do you any good? Will
you not think Of sparingme little ?"
"Who was that?" 1 said, without
needing her inquiries" that man who
! lookel rnnnd the loor inst now ."
"What man?