The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-01-22

door was locked and bolted. A
quick, imperative knock caused he
to rise and open it. Why she SC
CAREFUL secured herself against in
trusioD.. is hard to tell, hut she Ger
tainly seemed very much in earnes
as she attended TO this process o
locking and barring; and yet nc
one ever invaded her privacy; moi
even her mother.
please come to Mr.. Paul!' said
a frightened chambermaid, who
stood at the door. He's in one OF
his spasms, and l don't know what
to do"
"Wen, if you don't know, how
should l." replied Anna, tartlv, as
she followed the girl; for no other
reason, so far as | can see, than
that the girls will was strong
er than hers
Poor Paul! There he lay, psle
and rigid, looking as if the death
angel had already claimed him.
Then the muscles relaxed and he
moaned piteously,-
"Oh, mother! mother! Why did
you go away? What shall L do?"
This was the first time that
Anna had heard the word mother
pronounced by any of the members
of this family when it had not filed
her heart with agony.
Paul what does-mamna do for
you?" she inquired, bending over
the sufferer.
"You here?" whispered Paul, 80
surprised that even in the midst of
his pain, he could not help express
ing it, and then, trying to smile, -
''Don't be frightened, Anna; it
will be over presently"
"Yes, Paul." said Anna; "but
VIII at does mamma dop'
Everything, everything" replied
Paul, struggling manfully with an
other spasm; but it was too much
for him; and then Anna, with her
heart full of sympathy for the poor
sufferer, set to work. Her efforts
we're so successful that after a few
moments be was able to speak
again.
what made you do so much
for me when you don't like me?"
was his first question.
''Why, Paul, l would have done
so much for sick dog" replied
Anna, with rising color.
Thank you," said Paul whimsi-
cally.
ooh, 1 didn't mean it quite that
way" still more confused; "but do
you often suffer like this?"
"Very-very often,' was the
shuddering reply. "And you re-
lieved me almost as quickly as
as your mother
why don't you say mother, as
you started toY' inquired Anna.
II try not to say it, because 1
think it hurts you," Paul answered,
kindly; "but she is SO good to me,
that sometimes really can't help
it."
perhaps you'd better not talk
any more," suggested Anna, still
bathing his head.
Just this, please" replied Paul.
Il am 80 weak and i'll that it is not
unlikely l shall'-
"Yes, yes, Paul; l know" inter
rupted Anna, with a shiver.
'sAnd if knew when 'twould be"
continued Paul, "there is one thing
that would trouble me very, very
much"
Il know what that is, Paul"
said Anna. Il know very vel" =
''And, Anna" Paul went on,
sometimes L think l may get over
these dreadful spasms. They are
not halt so bad as they were before
your mother came"
"Drop the your please. Say
mother"
"Thank you, Anna. Mother.
And If 1 do, it will be because of
the care have had ;and if L don't
o Anna, l shall go so much easier
for having had her."
Anna drew the heavy dark hair
away from the invalid's temples,
but spoke no word.
There was Frank" continued
Paul, getting so wild and careless,
bound for the bad, l am afraid, as
fast sas boy could go, and now
look at him. And then poor Lula,
with nobody to teach her, and keep
her straight, and then think of fa-
ther. l never saw such happy
man as father is now. And all
this change is brought about by
our mother"
"Yes, and 1 haven't helped her
one bit" said Anna, apparently
more to herself than her compan-
ion. Paul took no notice.
"And yet"-Paul was determined
to say it all now-''I wish from the
bottom of my sheart she had never
come. She can never be happy,
with her own child-whom of
course she loves better than all the
rest of us put together-so mi sera-
BILE. As father said last night, all
the sacrifice is hers, all the pleasure
and benefit ours"
81 hear mama's voice." said
Auna, "and she will be here in
moment. / will surely think of
what you said, and 1 hope you won't
feel any worse for having talked to
me-"
Paul held cut his hand, and
Anna took it for a moment in both
of hers. No other word was spoken.
Paurs face showed his happiness as
he passed out of the room. A tear
had dropped on his wrist.
That evening the invalid was
able to be wheeled into the dining
room, and when the family entered,
strange sight met their eyes.
Anna was standing by Paul's chair,
and he was smiling up into her
face.
why! why! whyw exclaimed
Mr.. Demer.
Paul shook his head for his IA
ther to stop, and Anna began, 81
want to take back. if you will allow
me, all that mamma said this morn
ing as coming from me. L am