, 1885-08-09
Thl. /. MAI Ive cod 70 toII non.


".
This is what I've got to tell You.
Somebody got hold of that boy very
quickly, slapped him on the back out
there in the hall and blew n gust OF
wind through him. It wasn't me.
- race up, old fellow. The worst Is
over. Vel have you out of this int
! y. New York wants Just such stuff
as yolrs. We re looking for it all the
time. The night is passed, 'pon my
word it is. Here, come along with me-
"Wait Just a moment. y said Charley.
Then he went back on tip-toe and got
down and kissed his ghost, and said over
all the brave things he had been saying
so often.
40 you hear me, Lily. We're all
right now. I'm going out for a little
while i Il be right back. I've got work
promised. Don t look that way at me.
This tine it's sure. The doctor says
he Il pull you through. and we're going
to be happy now. Do you know what I
am saying to YOU
Then that awful. weary look. She had
heard this 80 many times, and always
the same hungry boy coming back.
The most appalling thing in this
world is for affection 10 see disease kill
ing the interest Of love itself.
res, l know, harley" she said; III
know. | shan { worry, and when you
come back this time Ill be better.
feel it,"
Thank God" he said, and kissed her,
and rushed out.
1t was n June day. The city smell of
roses, for the Decoration holiday was
Just over.
1t was all fixed. Friends turned up
over. Work in plenty. He was away
down in y escy street and his heart
sang. Somebody said: Here. my 10y.
I'll advance you two weeks salary.
lou II need it. You can pa me back
you know, when YOU get on your feet. -
Tut he only thought of one thing-it
was lying there in Twentieth street. lie
WIS so impatient TO get back that he
could hear his heart beat while his
friends were talking 10 him.
one gave him a big bouquet.
Take it up to the sick wife, old fellow,
some one said, and thrust him into a
cab.
lie leaned out of the window in
amazement and beekoned at the driver.
MY God, man, are you going to walk
all the Way
An the man said, with an oath; "He
was going as fast as the law allowed
and a id sight faster"
But no cab could go as fast the boys
thought. AT last, my poor sick darl-
ing he was saying over and over.
I'm coming-Tm coming. Then no
pictured the gladness on her white face
when he told her. lie knew exactly
how he would get his arms about her
and hold her tight and tell her what
thly could do now, and he would see
the old light come hack in Ser eyes and
the old smile play round her mouth.
And then he wanted to Jump ont and
run ahead or the numbering vehicle.
Up the four flights of stairss two steps
at n time through the noisy children:
his hand on the knob. Tho door was
locked.
n a minute it was cautiously opened
and ! lack and Bugles came stealthily
out INTO the hall and closed il behind
her.
ne moment, my boy, she said.
Is she worse
The woman turned her head and her
hands caught the bugles in her dres.
mechanically.
'o-l think she is hetter-calm
yourself.
Ito dropped the bouquet out of his
limp hand. He was staring at her.
But / must wake her. I've good
news. 1t will sure her. I'm not ex-
cited. She going to get well. What's
the matter.
He made a sudden bound, and was in
the room. 1t was darkened. He ran
against a chair. and something fell to
the floor. 10 threw the blinds open
spasmodically, and rushed to tho bed.
N look was enough. he was dead.
With a great groan he sank down by
her side, and love and hope and faitl
went out together in that suspiration
When Hack and ugles came in she
found he had knocked down the pot OF
sweet william, and in his last agony
had fallen on the tender buds and
crushed them.