The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-09-07


! as you have heard. plain in Appearance
very ordinary You would never single
her out in crowd as Mr.. Sherman's wife. =
Then she got herself away out of the
throng while she had strength to move 4:
/ slipped through side door opening upon
the parsonage garden, and 50 reached her
home, deserted this afternoon, even by the
servants, and had several hours in which to
think and to suffer.
| The parsonage was crowded with visitors
all the evening; but Mrs. Hayward was ito
the fole, and diverted general attention
| from the harassed looks Of the hostess who
poured our unnumberei cups of tea and
coffee in the heated dining room, ir obedi-
ence to the orders of the young lady and
| gentleman, walters moving and speaking
like one in dream. She wore plain
black silk, her hair was tucked tightly be-
| hind her ears, and her collar WAS crooked
Such forlorn and don't carish fgure!"
muttered one school girl to another.
For once she applied her adjectives cor
rectly. Annie was forlorn and she did
not care how she looked or what became of
her.
1t was on that night that little Bennie
her dead fathers namesake and the moth
ers boy" of her flock, was taken ill with
but some, under the teaching of love, rival
woman in this her peculiar sphere: deyelon
much patience, ingenuity and tenderness as
combine with their strength to make them
blessed ninistrants in the chamber of suf
fering. George was deeply attached to his
boy he would have Topped off his right
hand without murmur, if by the lesser loss
he could save the priceless life that was in
visible danger from the beginning of the
attack. But, unskilled in household occupa
tions, with natural aversion to the home
" details of sick room, and the shrinking
from the contemplation Of physical anguish
common to those who are themselves fault
lessly sound in health, he WAS hindrance
rather than help to those who had the
care OF the-usconscious child. The disease
ran its course with direful swiftness On
the third day after the seizure the phys.
icians pronounced the case hopeless.
The verdict was given beside the dying
child and in the presence of both parents.
Bennie lay in his mothers lap, his restless
head pillowed upon her BOSOM. She did
not quail at the dread sentence, did not
weep nor move; only gazed upon her dar-
hngs race with an expression that awed
and calmed those who saw it. Her ewes
were clear and solemn. and had forseeinR
look that seemed to follow him, anticipa
iton, into the shadowless land,
My bonnie, bonnie boy!' she said, soft.
ly, forgetful that others were BY. "your
cross has been light; your crown has oome
very soon. The dark valley is safe and
easy road to such tiny travellers"
The family physician grave, observant
nan, heard the loving murmurs as he stood
oenlnd her CHAIR, moved aside lnstluctIveiy
to make room for the father, who had bowed
groan when the truth was told him, and
now turned as if to approach his wire. He
checked himself few passes off, started
wildly at the changed face lying rgainst the
mothers breast, and rushed from the apart
ment The holy tranquility of Mrs. Sher
mans eyes was troubled
Poor papa!' she said simply, -he will
miss his boy. Doctor, will you 90 to him,
please? He needs comfort
There is but one earthly friend whose
presence would be acceptable to him al this
moment, madam, was the respectful re-
ply, and that is his wife. Your child will
not notice your absence; he does not suffer;
your husband does.
She did not answer for several moments.
and her face dropped lower until it rested |
ON Bennie's. "You may be right" she said
at length. Can you hold him while l am
gomez"
Her light footstep was soundless in the |
earpeted hall nd library Tie door of the |
inner room-Georges sanctum-was shut |
but not fast; it moved without sound upon
Its hinges, but she did not pass the thresh.
hold Why should she, when one glance
showed her the physicians mistake?
George sat in his study chair, one elbow
on bis knee, his face hidden in his handke.
chief, weeping in the vehemance of woe SO
certifying to the beholder that it shakes man
hood from self control. Mrs HAYWARD
knelt upon hassock before him, her tears
streaming fast as his. Her left arm was
about his neck and his encrcled her waist.
An affecting tableau l should not dare to
describe were not the sketch taken from
ife.
Dearest George!' she cooed, for the
sake of the children and friends left to
7ou, FOR the sake of your work, do not Weld
o this crushing blow! oh, If my love and
could lessen one panp, the
of my devotion comfort you!-
Sweet comforter! my angel of mercy!
What should do IN this hour without
'ou?"
Annie saw her husband wipe away the
rlef marks from the face uptlrned to his,
nd stoop to kiss it; she shut the door as
lolselessly as she had opened it, and went
'ack to her boy.
The last scene was very near. Mrs.
sherman held him all through the final con-
,uislon, fearless and apparently composed:
some one suggested that Mr. Shermsn
houid be summoned. The speakers
oice was guarded: but the wife heard, and
nswered, quietly but firmly: mo; he
loes not wish it,"
with her cwn hands she closed the blue
yes that had ever been the fountains of
ove to her, (who needed love go muchn
rayed the perfect, little form for it's laa
eaceful sleep, and laid him upon his bed,
idding the sobbing children kiss him
ood night" They clustered about her as
be left the room and turned the kew in the
'ck. She paused to scan their frightened.
bar stained faces.
My darlings, she said, in her accustomed
entle tones, 1T is late and you have had no (
upper. onaD mamma go down and give
on some?"
Her first act on reaching the dining room
as to pour out a cup Of coffee, sweeien
nd cream 1t as George liked to have it. and
and it to the library by Georgia. the eld- {
IT daughter. 8
Don't go into The study, dear" she di- I
'cted. knock at the door and wait until G
apa opens it. Tell him you think it will |
D him good. He will be pleased that Won
ave remembered him in your distress. c
sk him IT you may not take him up some )
ling more substantial-a sandwich. or /
,me buscuit and chicken" >
always said she was an oyster!" sjacu- a
ted one of Mr., Sherman's enthusiastic r
sciples. when this episode OF the mourn Q
Il history was reported to her. aShe has \
ot grain o. sentiment or delicacy about f
81. never heard of anything so repul. a
We in all my life." T
Mrs. Hayward possessed feeling and re-. d
cement In generous measure, and she 9
anifested these by coaxing her Platonic
yer to sip the strong coffee in spoonfuls.
edipg him with her white hands. and
eeping with gratitude when he blessed .