San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-16

done all the chores for her that q mortal
man could do: and she's been as sweet to
him-well. as sweet as one Of them doves
accom- away out there on the barn"
'Harki What's thatr" said Fidelia,
holding up one hand. warningly.
It was only the sound Of weak voice
above and deeper voice trying to answer
soothingly.
While the two women had talked the
afternoon had waned. The rain seemed
like fast falling tears. The flowers, some
Of them. were closing drowsily. The
shadows were deepening. The light green
foliage of birch tree near the house
looked gray In the twilight. Through the
open chamber window above sounded the
sleepy trin of bird. safely snuggled in
his nest under the young leaves.
Curtously enough this tender note alone
had the power to rouse the dying woman
She had always been in close sympathy
with all fair helpless things, flowers.
young birds and infants Now. in her ex-
tremity. this weak cry pierced to her
heart and woke her.
Where's the baby9" she whispered
why don't they bring the baby to me9"
She was living over again her only sick
ness. She fancied herself young once
more young and filed with q strange
great happiness.
were happy years. too. happier than most
people enjoy. for her desires had been
easily gratifed. her ambitions were of the
simplest kind To live within their small
means: to lay aside little each year; to
keep the house immaculate and the flow
ers thriving: to know peaceful nights and
quiet. uneventful days; to help neigh
Dor in trouble: to sit in the village church
regularly on Sundays. and to be sure that
the grass grew green and the white vic
let's fiourished over a certain small mound
in the graveyard; these were the utmost
limits of her hopes
Her one great grief has grown to be
tender memory. and all the days since
had been prosperous and serene, unclouded
by one harsh look or word
Now. suddenly. she was young again,
young wife in her new home. with all
her humble household treasures new
dOOut uer anu ILLS tlriu Vi eApeCIdIion
in her breast.
Where's the baby? Why don't they
bring the baby to me?" she repeated.
eagerly
Her husband leaned forward, pressing
her hand in both of his.
The baby2" he said; what baby?"
For him the sad present had swallowed
up the past.
Our baby" she whispered. with look
Of rapture in her faded eyes.
"Oh. Loisl"
de bent his head still lower. That
shadowy child of theirs seemed hardly
more than dream to him. He had never
held it. or played with it, or talked to it
in imagination as she had.
His name is Josiah. for you," con-
tinued the dying woman. trying to
hers. and looking earnestly up at him.
He will be little 10. Perhaps his eyes
are like yours; and he will be good man
like you. hope. We will teach him to
be good, won't WEI"
Yes. yes. Lois"
But why don't they bring him to met
| want so much to hold him. only once.
for little while. won't keep him long.
| want to feel his little hand on my face
and kiss his little cheek. Please tell
them to bring him"
Hush. hush, Lois. dear"
Perhaps they don't know where his
clothes are. l laid them all ready in the
top drawer Of the bureau in the spare
room, his little blue socks. and his shirt.
and the white slip-they said he must
wear slips at first. not dresses. Every
things ready. A boy, you said. Oh. do
let me hold him now"
The old man groaned aloud and tried to
quiet her, but without success. Out doors
a wind was rising, soft wind, fragrant
with the bitter-sweet breath of blossom
ing peach trees It sighed at the open
window. and swept branch of the birch
tree against the upper panes.
The deacon tried to rise to close the
glass. but she moved uneasily as if to sit
up in bed. He put his arms out to sup
port her She hardly seemed to see or
feel them. Slowly her face grew radiant
with surprise and delight.
"Ah, you have brought him to me at
last" she cried. with hands outstretched
Quick. give him to me here. close to my
heart. Oh how dear. how beautiful he
isl l had not thought he would be half so
beautiful"
She held her arms as If they encircled
little form and hent her face over than