The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-29

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 babyf" she whispered
why don't they bring the baby to mef'
She was living over again her only sick
ness. Sbo fancied herself young once
moro. young. and filed with . strange
great happiness
The wears between had vanished They
we're happy years too, happier than most
people enjoy. for her desires bad 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 How
ers thriving: to know peaceful nights and
quiet. uneventful days. 10 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 a certain small mound
in the graveyard these were the utmoS
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,
u young wife in her new home. with all
her humble household treasures new
about her and this thrill Of expectation
In Der breast.
Where's the baby Why don't they
bring the baby to me2" she repeated,
eagerly
Her husband leaned forward, pressing
her hand in both of his
The baby7' he said; what babyf
For him tho sad present had swallowed
up the past
Our baby" she whispered, with look
OF rapture in her faded eyes
"Oh. loisT
He bent his head still lower. That
shadowy child Of theirs seemed hardly
more than a dream to him He had never
held II. or played with IL. or talked TO 1t
IN Imagination as she had
His name Is Josiah, for yoa," 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 good man
like you, hope We will teach him to
he good. won't WEI"
Yes. yes Lois"
But why don't they bring him TO mel
want so much to hold him. only once.
for a little while. | wont 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 | 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 siip-they said tic must
wear slips at first. not dresses. Every
things ready boy, you said. Oh do
let me bold him now "
The old man groaned aloud and tried to
quiet her. but without success Ont doors
a wind was rising. soft mind. fragrant
with the bitter sweet breath Of blossom
ing peach trees 1t 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 10 sit
up in bed lie 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 a
little form. and bent her face over them
in tenderest 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
pectinc TO be summoned. but 10 such
summons came.
Night and darkness fell In the garden
and closed about the house Fidelia put
a 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 his 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 shad
ows. and the little bird was gently rocked
in his soft cradle All WAS still In the
house where children's feet had never
battered up and down. nor children's
voices echoed.
When morning, calm and sunny bright
ened the quiet room 1t showed thewoman's
face glorified with smile Of absolute
peace Who knowsS Perhaps, indeed. her
baby had been brought to her.
Beside her. white and van In the sun
shine. lay her faithful companion. Whether
hearts do break or not cannot tell. Heaven.
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