The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-08-24

her one great grief had grown - - =.
tender memory, and I'll she days since
had been prosperous and serene, III
clouded by one harsh look or word.
Now, suddenly, she WAS youHg again,
young wife in her new home, with al hrs
humble household treasures new abo.l
her, and this thrill of expectation il he-
breast.
where's the babys Why don't they
bring the baby TO me;" she repeated,
eagerly
Her husband leaned forward, pressing
her hand in both Of his.
"The baby?'' he said; what baby2''
For him the sad present had swallowed
up the past.
"Our baby" " she whispered, with a loo.z
OF rapture in her faded eyes.
"Oh, Lois.''
He bent his head still lower. That
snadOwy child of theirs seemed hardly
more than q dream 20 him. He had
never held it, or played with H., or talked
TO IL in imagination, rs she had.
"His name is Josiah, for you," con
tinued the dyinSwoman, trying to tighten
her clasp OF the hand holding hers, ard
looking earnestly mp NJ him.
''He VIII be Ettle 10. Perhaps his eyes
are like yours. and he VIII ba q GOOD man
like you, hope. We viii teach him to
be good, wont we?''
''Ycs, yes, Lois"
"But why don't they bring him to me?
l want so much 70 hole him, only once,
for little while. won't keep him long.
I want TO feel lis little hand on my face
and kiss his little cheek. Please tea them
TO bring him"
'Hush, bush, Lois. dear"
"Perhaps they d1s't know whore his
clofbas ara I laid 1 har,, al. Y-.aHyy sr, lo
top drawer OF the bureau il tire spare
room, his little blue socks, and his shirt,
and the white slip-they sad he must
wear slips At first, not dressee. Every
thing ready. A boy, you said. Oh, 90
let me hold him now
The old man groared aIoud and tried TO
quiet her, but without success. C,..
doors a wind was rising, a soft wind. fra
grant with the bitter-swcet breath OF
blossomilg peach trees. L sighed NJ the
open window, and swept n branch O. the
birch tree against the upper paGcs,
The deacon tried TO rise 70 close the
glass, but she moved uncasily - II 10 sio
up in bed. He put hisS,rms out TO sup
port her. She hardly seesled to see CT
feel them. Slowly her face grew radiant
with surprise and delight.
'Ah, you have brought him 10 mo NJ
last, - she cried, wiki hands outstretchpd
quick, give linn 10 me here, close TO my
heart. On, how dear, how beautiful he
is. had not thought he would be hale
50 beautiful = - .ssss.. Js-a7's~-...
She held her arms as # they encircl2d d
little form, and bent her face over them
in teEdsrest mother fashion. .
My baby my baby she whispered,
then, with q sigh of utter content. salA
back upon hor pillows.
The women, downstairs listened for the
sound Of voices TO begin again, expecting
TO be summoned, bat 40 =Cch summons
came. ed.
Night and darkness fell I'm the garden
snd closed about the house Fidelia put
a lamp outside tho chamber door and shut
The door quietly. She glanced toward the
bed where EITs. Tr1e seemed &c De yslc6D.
her husband, with his face buried iu Tie
pillow. near her. She left ail the Ieces-
sary articles for the night ard moved
away with noiselcss step
The hours went on slowly and silently.
The stars shouc out IL the sky ut
last, while the flowers slept down
in the shadows, and the little bind
was gently rocked IN his soft cradle. All
was still in the house where cbiIlren's
feet had never Pattercd Up and down, nor
CLiiGren's voices echoed. 10
When morning, calm and sunny,
frightened the quiet room il showed the
woman's face glorifed with a smile OF ab-
solute peace. Who knows? Perhaps, il
deed, her baby had been brought to her.
Beside her, white and waa in the sun
shine, lay her faithful companion.
Whether hearts do break or not, cannoG
tell. Heaven, at least, had Incredibly
let them die together, quietly, as they
lived.