River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-04

ing draught, and she's sure 20 sleep Tor
a couple of hours. I'll send one Of my
girls down to watch her, SO just you go
and lie down.
The old man hustled of. and Miss
Anna sank down into the rocking chair
with lOng-drawn sigh of relief. of
course she was tired-whO wouldn't be
after ten such lays Of ceaseless watch
ing. But, nevertheless, she had no in
tentiOn Of carrying out the old mans
advice. Sleep, in Iced. while Mary lay
there in the next room almost at deaths
door. Why. the very idea was I-ePos-
ferrous. What on earth could the doctor
be thinking OF? Shed never heard
But, strange to say, when presently
there was patter of tiny feet upon the
gallery, Miss Anna did not hear them;
and a moment later. when the door was
pulled open. after several vain attempts,
and great flood Of September sunshine
came flowing into the room, Miss Anna
spoke no words OF welcome to the
quaint little stranger that stood there
craving admission.
Il was Tot Everybody knew Tot
Whereabouts, even though she was such
a little mite. She stood there Just for
one moment, her big. gray eyes fixed in
wOnderment upon Miss Annals sleeping
form. Then. as the situation dawned
upon her baby mind. she let the door
slam TO behind her and trOtted across to
the threshold of the room where Miss
Mary Law.
Miss Mary turned over presently and
could scarcely believe her eyes She
must be dreaming, she told herself, and
yet. although the blinds were lowered
and the room in semi-darkness. there
was a little child over there in the door
way that looked marvelOusly like Tot.
She gazed at the little figure steadily
for minute; until the sweet little face
beneath the broad black sailor hat stood
out distinct and clear She had a pretty
little white dress on, and her two tiny
hands were clasped tightly about a huge
bouquet Of flowers
Miss Mary raised herself on one ell
bow and asked softly:
Tot, dear. is that yOu?'
For answer the child ran toward her.
and. laying the flowers down upon the
cOverlet. gazed up expectantly into the
thin. pale face
Miss Mary leaned forward and kissed
her. and then she looked at the flowers
For the life Of her she could not keep
from smiling. il was such an incOngru-
Gus bouquet There was larkspur. and
there were marigOlds, bachelors but
tons. sweet-william and just one late
moss rose. Miss Mary couldn't help
wondering TO herself how IL had man
aged 70 Outlive its fellows. Then as
she glanced at the huge sunfOwer in
the center of the bunch, her smiles
broke out afresh.
why, Tot, this is awfully good of
you. Are all these lovely flowers for
me2@
The child shook her head emphati
caIly until every golden curl was set
a-bobbing.
NO" she said. these is for muzzer.
] wants you 10 take them. please" Miss
Mary STARTED and grew a shade paler, il
that were possible. but, Tot, dear
how can I, darling. Your mamma, you
know, is dis in Heaven"
Tot nodded her head and looked up at
Miss Mary triumphantly- i know;
that's why l brought them; and you Is
going there, too. Nurse SAYS so, and
so did cook They was talking and
Tot was out in the garden. and they
didn't know she bearded it Nurse
said as OF all the angels without wings
she'd ever seen anywhere you was the
best she'd ever knOwed. and then cook
wiped her eyes with her apron, and she