The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-01-08

Vsassh AtS AaSliCl NlSss " HSttc tuclu NcT III
her arms when she felt that she was
dying-for even he, her brother, who
had such dear love for her, could have
no greater wish than that. The train
of thought suggested to him to inquire
II he had ever seen his mother; for he
could not remember whether they had
told him yes or no. the river running
very fast and confusing his mind.
"Floy, did ever sec mammal"
"No. darling, why?"
"Did ever see any kind face, like
mammals, looking at me when l was q
baby, Floy?"
He had asked, increduously, rs If he
had some vision of face before him.
"Oh, yes, dear!''
Whose, Floy?'
"Your old nurses. Often"
''And where is my old nursc?" said
Paul. SIS she dead, too? Floy, are We
all dead, except you?''
There was hurry in the room for an
instant-longer, perhaps; but it seemed
no more-then all was still again; and
Florence, with her face quite colorless,
but smiling, held his head upon her arm.
Her arm tremblcd very much.
"Show me that old nurse, Floy, if you
please"
"Shc is not here, darling. She shall
come tomorrow"
"Thank. you, Floy."
Paul closed his eyes with these words.
and fell asleep. When he awoke the
sun was high, and the broad day was
clear and warm. He lay little, looking
at the windows, which were open, and
the curtains rustling in the air, and way-
ing to and fro; then he said, "Floy is it
tomorrow? Is she come??'
Some one seemed to 90 in quest of
her. Perhaps it was Susan. Paul
thought he heard her telling him when
he had closed his eyes again, that she
would soon be back; but he did not open
them to see. She kept her word-per-
haps she had never been away-but the
next thing that happened was noise of
footsteps on the stairs, and then Paul
woke-woke mind and body-and sat
upright in his bed. He saw them now
about him. There was no gray mist be-
fore them, as there had been sometimes
in the night. He knew them every one,
and called them by their names.
''And who is this? Is this nv old
nurse?' said the child, regarding with a
radiant smile a figure coming in.
Yes. yes. No other stranger would
have shed those tears at sight of
him, and called him her dear boy, her
pretty boy, her own, blightcd child. No
other woman would have stopped down
by his bed, and taken up his wasted
hand, and put it to her lips and breast,
as one who had some right to fondle it.
No other woman would have so forgot
ten everybody there but him and Floy,
and been SO full of tenderness and pity.
''Floy, this is kind good face" said
Paul. II am so glad to see it again.
Don't go away, old nurse. Stay here. "
His senses were all quickened, and he
heard name he knew
'Who was that W said 'Walter?' +"
he asked, looking round. "Some one
said Walter. Is he here? should like
to see him very much.''
Nobody replied directly; but his father
soon said to Susan, "Call him back,
then; let him come up" And after a
short pause of expectation. during which
he looked with smiling interest and won
der on his nurse, and saw that she had
not forgotten Fioy, Walter was brought
into the room. His open face and man
ner. and his cheerful eyes, had always
made him favoritc with Paul; and
when Paul saw him, he stretched out his
hand and said, Goodbye
Goodbye, my child" cried Mrs.
Pipchin, h,,rrying to his beds head.
''Not good-bye?'
For an instant Paul looked ut her with
the wistful face with which he had SC
often gazed upon her in his corner by
the fire. "Ah, yes" he said placidly,
goodbye! Walter, dear, good-byev'-
turning his head to where he stood, and
putting out his hand again. "Where is
papa?''
He felt his fathers breath upon his
cheek, before the words had parted
from his lips.
Remember Walter, dear papa" he
whispered, looking in his face. IRE.
member Walter. 1 was fond of Walter.
The feeble hand waved in the air,
as if 1t cried goodbye to Walter once
again.
''Now, lay me down." he said, 'and
Floy, come close to me and let me sec
you"
Sister and brother wound their arms
around each other, and the golden light
came streaming in, and fell upon them,
locked together.
'How fast the river runs, between its
green banks and the rushes, Floy! But
its very near the sea. hear the waves!
They always said so!'
Presently he told her that the motion
of the boat upon the stream was lulling
him to rest. How green the banks were
now, how bright the flowers growing on
them, and how tall the rushes! Now the
boat was out at sea, but gliding smooth
ly on. And now there was shore be-
fore him. Who stood on the bankp-
He put his hands together, as he had
been used to do at his prayers. He did
not remove his arms to do it; but they
saw him fold them so, behind her neck.
Mamma is like you, Floy. I know
her by the face! But tell them that the
print upon the stairs at school is not d.
vine enough. The light about the head
is shining on me Us I 60"
The golden ripple on the wall came
back again, and nothing else stirred in
the room. The old, old fashion! The
fashion that came in with our first
parents and will last unchanged until
our race has run its course, and the wide
armament is rolled up like scroll. The
old, old fashion-Death!
Oh, thank God, all who see it, for that
older fashion yet, of immortality! And
look upon US, angels of young children,
with regards not quite estranged, when
the swift river bears us to the ocean!
Ex-Justice Strong.