The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-31

what seemed to her but rev minutes.
When she was conscious again she saw
that something lay between her fingers
it was her own precious bunch of flowers
How quickly it had wilted, though. She
tried to lift her hand, but could not. She
was afraid she had done wrong even to
try. But no one was needing her. Two
shadowy figures were talking near her
bed.
'She was so lame, poor dear, she could
not run. And the great dray horse
knocked her down and the wheel ran
over her."
"How terrible!"
1.-The little humpback boy did his best
to save her, but he ran up too late-it
was plucky thing, anyhow"
He seems very fond of her-it will
break his heart il she dies.
sHush! lest she should hear you"
Milly had heard it all. 1t scarcely af-
fected her, nevertheless; scarcely seemed
to concern her. in fact
Was this MANNED. motionless thing on
the hospital bed herself, Milly, the clever
little needIewoman? Was it she who
had dwelt opposite the florists window?
She opened her eyes yet wider; it seemed
a little lighter now. Was this the hos
pital? She had often wondered what a
hospital might be like. There were peo-
pie here who sighed and groaned around
her; she had not noticed them before.
It tired her to watch them now; had
they all been run over in the street? she
marveled. What sad. sad facesi What
a room full of pain!
Clean it was everywhere, with tidy
white bedclothes and whitewashed walls,
and the sunshine coming in SO that her
head ached; she had never been used to
much light or air. Nor to strangers,
strange faces, strange voices. All, where
was little Jim? And had he really come
to her in her danger?
The tears began to trickle slowly down
the child's pale cheeks.
"What is it, dear?'' asked the nurse
''Jim," said Milly, with quivering lips.
"Oh, my little Jimmy own little Jim!"
"He shall come to you-presently-
yes, very soon. l will give the order
now"
The nurse murmured something to an
other nurse.
"Of course; there is no time to lose,"
was the answer.
But Milly heard not this.
The nurse returned.
''Shall read to you?" she asked. care
you in too much pain to listen?"
"No, read" said Milly, gently. "Only
let it be about flowers"
"About flowers, dear?"
"Yes-about flowers" returned the
child, dreamingly. Are there flowers
in heaven?"
''Surely. And we know that it is Gods
garden. He gamers them there-even
The poorest child flowers of this EARTH"
Then there was cry.
"Oh, Milly, Milly! Oh! you will not
die! Oh, promise me that you'll not die!"
1t was Jim-Jim who had pressed close
to the bed, who was sobbing as if his
heart must burst. He stretched out his
little wan hands. The doctor held him
back and sought to quiet him. The
weary occupants of other beds raised
themselves up and tried to see the two
children.
Milly moved as much as she was able.
A gray shadow had passed over her face,
making it almost unrecognizable, and
sharp anguish distorted her features.
Was this death? She knew nOt-she had
no time to think. Only for him-only
for Jim, the poor, homeless, friendless
little crossing sweeper, he who had risked
his own life for her-Milly's very temples
thrObbed with tumultuous thoughts.
'Oh, Milly, speak, cried the boy in
agony. "Why couldn't die for your"
81 am glad" murmured Milly's lips
TREMENDOUSLY.
but I'm not. Oh, it's cruel of you to
be glad when I'm SO sorry! Oh, hate,
hate, hate myself, that l couldn't save
you. If had only been stronger"
''Hush, hush," said the doctor and the
nurse.
'Hush!" seemed to say an invisible
presence.
The young girls head had fallen back
upon the pillow; the pain was passing
out of her face. She turned yet more
toward her little friend.
ooh, Jim!' she gasped, "dear Jim,"
and then more family still: ''The flowers
the fiowers-think, Jim, in heaven the
dowers-never-dier'
They let the little, ragged boy fling
himself upon her now. Nothing could
hurt her now, any more than it could
cure her, or bring her back to thought,
and speech, and love. Nor could any
thing alter or mar the tender radiance
of the dead girls face.-Lady Lindsay
in Temple Bar.
Mrs Fanula (wbO 10 rood;rp thu m