Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-26
CHAPTER XXI.

There was little need for Lima to tell
her story in order to gain admission to
the cottage. The old woman, its single
occupant, who raised her light and let it
fall upon the wan, frightened face,
waited for no plea. She drew the girl
to the glowing little Are, and, moved by
that compassion which in its purity and
unsuspiciousness comes straight from
Heaven, had elasped warm, tender arms
about her, when a sleep, that was as
deep and sudden as death, fell upon the
weary girl, and blotted out her mis-
cradle heart-weariness.
Beside the little bed where she lay so
white and helpless, the old woman
watched alone for no doctor could be
reached from the isolated mountain cot
tage, even if she could have left her
patient to go in search Of one. She was
glad Of this next day, when Lima, her
great, dark eyes 30 full of gratitude, yet
Of their old fear, too, moaned to her to
let no one else come. So she watched
and nursed alone, with that tempered
strength which seems always lent to
watchers beside sick bed and at last
memory came back and life returned to
the wan face that lay upon the hard,
brown pillow.
az wish," sighed the old woman to
herself, "that that Rachel shes been
SO often sobbing for when she didn't
know it, could come, if only to comfort
her, poor dear But I couldn't go to
find her, even II knew where she was !;
and I've managed SO far, I'll try to man.
age until she IL about again.
81 live most lonely here, my dear,
she said to Lima once, when the girl lay
in the ease Of returning strength. 81
see no one from Monday to Saturday,
except Just once . month Zone Saturday
in every monthly, when walk into
Churchill to see my son, and get the
money he allows me, and do my bit OF
marketing for the month. You may
fancy it's no light walk for rne-nine
miles, good; and have to start this
weather Is soon as ever il is daylight.
Still consider 1t my bit Of holiday, and
next Saturdays the day"
The delicate, pale lips quivered as
Lima spoke, her thoughts running Wild
~ on before her words.
care you not near station? Imean,
could you not go by train?"
"I'm Just two miles from . station
and nine miles from town." was the
slow answer; "but never hesitate, my
dear. never have been in one Of those
railway khAh6SS NAS SAo'SA o4toA 81.
They're unnatural. don't quite trust
them"
"Yet you are not afraid Of living in
this lonely spot ?" the girl said
ono; it's always been natural to me,
just IS It's natural to the sheep to lie on
the hillside without fear. It isn't being
alone I'm afraid Of"
"Have you no neighbour" asked
Lima, flushing wildly, as if the dim
ewes and unsuspicious heart could read
the real motive of her questioning,
"who come In here to have chat with
you, or to-tsn you the news from
Churchill 2"
"Just perhaps once in . while, my
dear, was the CHEEKY answer, "but not
often, for I've none within Almost mile,
and don't care about It can live
very snugly without any news. I hear
It all when I go into Churchill I shall
hear II all ON Saturday"
The scarlet crept higher and higher on
Ldnas face-ths beautiful face that had
lain for days so white and still-and she
nervously tried to hide It.
"I have had one neighbor In since
you've bcen here, my dear" the old
woman continued, almost soothinRly,
"but I didn't tell Of You being here al
all. ! wouldn't till I knew you wouldn't
mind it"
The tears crowded into the girls eyes
| ut this kind thought.
"Oh, how good You are TO me r. aha
eEtad; "And ! can nAver repay youE'