The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-11

in my arms as q little son, and receive
full and free pardon, aSs from an own
mother. But as II. was there was noth-
ing to be done no way for me to reach his
heart, for he had placed that broad bar
.rier between us, and my hands could not
tear it down. To others our department.
toward each other may have seemed
somewhat cold, but perfectly just and
right. And no one, am sure, ever &C.
cused me of not being a true mother to
Laurie, as we'll as to Mamie.
But no one knew how my own
heart ached and grieved over the boy
grown so dear to me, tow HON felt that
was mere stranger, and no more.
ming his confidence and love. Some
times little thing would instill hope in
my heart, and the burden would seem
lighter for day or two, only to grow
the heavier when he again made me real
lze how far apart we were by some more
than usual GOODNESS.
Still hoped and prayed. could do
nothing more. There was nothing need
ed for his comfort. Mrs. Wait, ever
jealous of her boy, watched over him SO
carefully that he did not need even my
faulty mother love and waiting hand to
do for him the many little things which
boy is constantly exacting.
Bnt the time came when even good
Mrs. Wait failed him, and then I got my
reward for patient waiting and praying.
One day, one cold icy day, just at even
ing, sat alone before the fire, putting
few last stitches in Christmas present
for Mamie, which had to make at odd
moments while she was away. Now she
was spending the afternoon with a little
friend, and would not be home for some.
time. Mrs. Wait had gone to the city
to do some shopping, and would not get
back until my husband came, so, except
fer the servants, was alone. Laurie 1
had not seen since morning, when he
took his skates, saying he was going to
try the ice on the river before coming
home.
The great house was still and lonely,
even the French clock on the mantel
had more than unusual subdued sound
| as it tinkled out the hour of with its
| silvery gong. had just completed my
work, and was holding up before me,
delicate mull-srarf which 1 had en-
broidered in pale blue forget-me-nots,
ing with little pleased smile of Mann
les delight when she would find it
among her presents Christmas morning
! for what does little maiden of to-
day admire so much as dainty en-
broidered article of wearing apparel?
When was startled by sudden pea!
of the door bell. hastily put my work
aside and rose from my chair as the
door was thrown open and the maid ap-
peared with stran ely sacred look on
her face as she exclaimed:
| "Oh, ma'am Master Laurie is hurt
dreadful, and they've just brought him
home. Whatever shall we do? Mrs.
Wait is gone. Oh'dear! oh dear!" And
she hurried away. wringing her hands
in her distress, while quivering from
head to foot, but with great effort to con-
troll myself, fastened after her. met
boys of Lauries age, carrying lfeless
| figure between them, four grave young
faces, but one still white one still
one, across which trickied q
stream of warm red bolod; four merry
voices hushed to silence in the midst of
their royish gee by the sudden myster-
ious shadow of calamity fallen upon one
of their mates.
"What is it?" asked in breathless
whisper, as l caught one of the cold.
lifeless hands in my warm ones. "Tell
me, what have you done to Lauricf"
And they told me in low, frightened
tones, while pulled out the broad SOFA
in the end of the hall for them to lay
their precious burden on, and hurried
one of the distressed servants OFF for the
on the river. and Laurie suddenly fell
and struck his head against sharp
block of ice which had just been cut,
and when they picked him up he was
senseless, and the blood was rushing
down his forehead from a great CASH
near his temple.
They carried him home as quickly as
possible; the river was only little dis.
lance away, and even the cruel skates
were still fastened to the lifeless feet.
One of the boys stopped down and
took them off as tenderly as mother
would the little shoes from her dead
child's feet, while the rest looked on in
mute sorrow.
L sent maid for hot water and a
sponge, and while waiting for the doc.
tor washed the dark blood from the poor
bruised head and face, feeling that now
at least I was of some use to Laurie
and, strange to say, filled with anxious
alarm as was, the thought was sweet
to me.
When the doctor came-it seemed
hours, though in reality it was scarcely
minutes-he ordered all away except
myself, and while he examined the
wound he babe me hold Laurie's head
in both my hands. Oh, how l prayed
that the verdict might be favorable, as !
bent over the still face and pressed a kiss
on the blood-stained hair! And what a
great overwhelming load rolled from
my heart, when, the examination being
over, he said with low shake OF the
head:
,"One-eight Of an inch nearer the tenn
pie and he would have been beyond all
him himself again."
AS if in direct reply. to- the words,
Laurie suddenly opened wide his eyes,
then shut them again and bent his brows
IN pain, while a great tear rolled down
his cheek. I quickly wiped it away
with my handkerchief, when he again
opened his handsome eyes and looked
for moment into my face, then closed
them, with a little, weary sigh. The
do:tor in the meantime had prepared
himself for the painful operation of sew
ing up the ugly cash in the side of the
head, and, turning to me, said: "Where
is Mrs. Wait? I need her badly"
told him that she was In the city,
and would not get back till Laurie's faith:
er came. He frowned slightly, aud
said: "Too bad Is there any one in
the house who could take her place,
and hold Laurie's head while l 60
through this operation?" he continued
in o voice, and motioning toward the
long thread and sharp needle on the
table.
"No one but myself" replied, calm.
Your he calculated; then as Laurie