The Dickinson press., 1883-05-12
how many a heart-ache have I had oye1

III 1tSl tlC opposite, IL With IL
he would be less cold and stately, and
yet love me Il little, and, after some
burst of boyisl. passion, beg forgiveness
In my arms as 4 little son, and receive
ull and free pardon, as from an W
mother. But as it wa there was moth
ing to be done; no way for me to reach hls
heart, for lie had placed that broad bar
rler between us, and my hands could not
tear it down. To others our department
toward each other NAV have seemed
somewhat cold, but perfectly Just and
right: And no one, I am sure, even ac-
cused me of not being q true mother to
Laurie, as we'll as to Mamie.
But no one knew how nv "
heart ached and grieved over the boy
grown SO dear to me, to when | felt that
was a mere stranger, aud no more.
Sometimes despaired of ever VIM
ming his confidence and love. Some
times a little thing would instill hope i'm
my heart, and the burden would seem
lighter for q day or two, only to grow
the heavier when he again made me real
ne how far apart we We're by some more
than usual GOODNESS.
SUI hoped and prayed. I could do
ed for his comfort. Mrs. Wait, ever
jealous of her boy, watched over him so
carefully that lie did not need even NV
faulty mother love and waiting hand TO
10 Tor him the many little tAinss which
a boy Is constantly eNActing.
Bnt the time came when even good
Mrs, Wait failed him, alnl then ] got my
reward tor patient waiting aud praying.
One day, II cold icy day, Just at even
ing, | sat alone before the fire, putting a
few last stitches in Il Christmas present
for Mamie, which had to make at odd
moments while she was away. Now she
was spending the afternoon with Il little
TREND, and would not be home for some
time. Mrs. Wait had gone to the city
to do some shopping, and would hot get
back until my husband came, so, except
fer Che servants, | WAS alone. Laurie |
had moi seen since morning, when he
tool 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 muntel
had IL more than unusual subdued sound
as it tinkled out the hour of 5 with its
silVery gong. had Just completed my
work, and was holding up before me, IL
delicate mmll-scarf which | had en-
btoldered in pale bimc furget-me-nots,
adImlrlng my own lIalnlwork and think
ing with II little pleased smile of Mann
les delight when she would find it
among her presents Christmas morning
for what does Il little maiden of to-
day admire SO much as Il dainty en-
%broidered article of wearin. apparel?
When was startled by sudden pea!
OF tle door bell. | hastily pat my work
aside and rose from my chair as the
door was thrown open and the maid APP
t.nltn,( u,ltI |, a, t,n,, .,l,- ,.u.l I
her face as she exclaimed:
"Oi,, 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 deur!" And
she hurried away. wringing her hands
IN her distress, while ] %quivering from
head to foot, but with great effort To con-
troll myself, lnstencd after her. met
the strange procession i'm the hall, Four
boys Of l.aurie's age, carrying u ~lifcless
lianrc between them, four grave Young
faces, bnt n Il still white one Il still
one, across which tlirk'ed a
stream OF wartn' red I,o!od; four merry
voices lushed to silence in the midst of
their Loyish glee by the sudden mystcr-
ions shadow of calamity fallen upon one
OIL Their mates.
"Wliat is it, | asked in u brcathless
whisper, as ] caught QUO Of the cold,
liteless hands i'll my warm ones. "Iell
me, what have you done TO l.uuric::"
And they told me in low, frightened
tones, while ! pulled ont 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
doctor, how they had all been skating
ON the river. and Laurie suddenly fell
and struck his head against a sharp
block of ice which had Just been cut,
and when they picked him up he was
senselcss, and the blood was rushing
down his forehead from Il great CASH
near his temple.
They carried him home as quickly as
possible; the river was only a little dis
lance away, and even the cruel skates
We're still fastened to the lifcless feet.
One of the boys stopped down and
took them off as tcnderly as a mother
would the little shoes from her dead
child's feet, while the rest looked on in
mute sorrow.
| Sent q maid for hot water and a
sponge, and while waiting for the doc.
tor washed the dark blood lromthe poor
bruised head and face, feeling that nov
at least | was of some use to Laurie;
and, strange to say, filed with a@nxious
alarm as | was, tile Thought was sweet
Ia me.
When the doctor came-it seemed
hours, though in reality it was scarcely
m~inutes-he ordered all away except
myself, ana while he the
wound he babe me hold Laurie's head
IN both my hands. Oh, how | prayed
that the verdict might be favorable, as |
bent over the still face and pressed a kiss
on the blood-stained hair! And what Il
great overwhelming load rolled from
my heart, when, the examination beng
over, he said with Il low shake of the
| head:
,"One-elght OF an inch nearer the tenn
pie and he wonl! have been beyond al;
human skill, but now we'll soon have
him himself again"
AS if in direct reply to the words,
Laurie suddenly opened vide his eyes,
then shut them again and bent his brows
IN pain, while q great tear rolled down
his cheek. ! quickly wiped ii away
with my handkerchief, when he again
opened his handsome eyes and looked
lpf :; n into my face, then closed
them, with II little, weary sigh. The
ho''"r IN The mealtimc lad prepared
himself for tine painful operation of sew
head, and, turning to me, said: "WLe.e
is Mrs, Wait? l need her badly"
J told him that she was IN the city,
and would not get back till Laurie's faith
er came: He trowned slightly, aud
said: "Too bad! Is there any one in
the house who could take her place,
and hold Laurie's head while | 20
through this operationY he continued
in a voice, and motioning toward the
long thread and sharp needle on the
table.
"No one but myself 1 replied, calm