Wichita eagle., 1888-05-25

heart and WOKE her.


why don't they bring the baby to met"
She was living over again her only sick
ness. She fancied herself young once
more, young. and filed with strange
great happiness
The years between had vanished. They
were happy years, too. happier than most
people enjoy. for her desires had been
easily gratifed. her ambitions were of the
simplest kind To i've 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. uneventfl 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
lets hourished over certain small mound
in the graveyard; these were the utmost
limits of her hopes
Her one great grief has grown to be q
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,
a young wife in her new home. with all
her humble household treasures new
about her and this thrill of expectation
in her breast
Where's the baby7 Why don't they
bring the baby to me?" she repeated.
eagerly
Fer 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 q look
of rapture in her faded eyes.
"Oh, Lois"
He 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
tighten her clasp Of the hand holding
hers. and looking earnestly up at him
He will be little 10 Perhaps his eyes
are like yours: and he will be a 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 me9
l want so much to hold him. only once,
for a little while, / won't keep him long
want to feel bis little hand on my face
and kiss his little cheek Please tell
them to bring him" t..
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, q 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 had not thought he would be half so
beautiful
She held her arms as if they encircled
little form. and bent her face over them
in &enderest mother fashion.
My babyl my baby~ she whispered
Then. with sigh of utter contempt, sank
back upon her pillows.
The women down stairs listened for
the sound of voices to begin again, ex-
pecting TO be summoned, but no such
summons came.
Night and darkness fell in the garden
and closed about the house. Fidelia put
q lamp outside the chamber door and shut
the door quietly. She glanced toward the
bed where Mrs. True seemed to be asleep,
her husband, with bis face buried In the
pillow. near her She left all the necessary
articles for the night and moved away
with a noiseless step.
The hours wore on slowly and silently.
The stars shone out in the sky at last,
while the flowers slept down In the sbad-
ows, and the little bird was gently rocked
In his soft cradle AL was still In tbs
house where children's feet had never
battered up and down. nor chAdren's
voices echoed.
When morning. calm and sunny, bright
ened the quiet room it showed the woman's
fare glorifed with smile of absolute
peace. Who knowss Perhaps, indeed, her
baby had been brought to her.
Beside her. white and wan in the sum
shine. lay her faithful companion. Whether
hearts do break OF not Icannot tell. Heaven,
at least, had mercifuIly let them die to-
gether quietly as they had kved--Grscs
Winthrop in New York News
Another Line of Work.
The first woman TO occupy the noSffion