The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-11-05

bis hands as he thought Of Sybil and Of
the thunderbolt that seemed TO hSve re-
corded his vow in heaven.
Hannah was 50 shaken by the inter
view she felt too unnerved to take up
her work again. There was 90 much
that was agitating to reflect on as to her
girls future. A sudden faith In Ned
Dinsmore had invaded her mind, but she
dared not confide it to Sybil, and she
! kept saying over to herself as point to
cling to in the conflicting thoughts and
feelings that had taken possession Of her,
"When come into my fortune they two
shall marry"
The old man was still asleep when
she went in to give him his drops. He
lay as peaceful as child, his face turned
toward the sunny window where q robin
twittered on the limb Of the old apple
tree, and the light green sprays Of lilac
bush showed that spring had arrived.
He had slept all through the thunder
shower, but in the chamber above Sybil
was broad awake, and her large eyes
looked out of face that seemed TO have
been wasted by weeks Of illness.
"Did 1t strike anything, mother; the
thunder meanY
mo, unless 1t struck me-" said Han
nah. 81 feel as II l had had shock Of
some kind"
Its because you're overworked," )" said
Sybil, alphabetically looking in her
mothers face. "You are worn out with
taking care Of Mr.. Rand and me, and
am afraid have been rather selfish to
stay in bed 90 long when you needed my
help. Iguess the shower has cleared the
air and made me feel as If could go on
living again"
Hannah stopped over and smoothed
the girls head with her hand. She longed
to whisper q word Of comfort in her ear,
but she was Spartan mother, with clear
seeing eyes, and she knew 1t was best to
let Sybil draw on her own native
strength.
Ruby Armstrong had comein to watch
that night with Mr.. Rand, after the
good neighborly custom not yet extinct
In the questionable part Of Mttlefeld,
where trained nurses were unknown.
Hannah had set out q little supper for
Ruby Of cake and crackers, with the tea
pot on the back Of the stove ready at
hand, for she knew that watchers are al
ways hungry in the middle Of the night,
when hollow craving is induced by the
long vigil. The two women were sitting
with low chairs drawn close together
and talking In whispers. The lamp was
turned low in the sick room where the
old man lay, and a little round stand
stood at the beds head, covered with a
white cloth and neat array of medicine
bottles, spoons and glasses.
"There amt nothing to- do but to give
him the drops at two hours intervals ac-
cording to the doctors orders" said
Hannah, as she leaned forward in her
chair. Poor woman, she was 80 worn
with work and watching and worry II
she sat down to rest for o moment she
dropped fast asleep. Nature had at last
asserted itself over her indomitable en-
ergy.
"You see, I've been KEEP up three
nights running" she said apologetic-
ally, as she began to nod in Rubys face,
"and I'm just starvin' for sleep. 1t was
good Of you to come and offer to SIT up.
hope Jane is quiet"
Eyes, she's gone to bed like . lamb,
with one Of them senseless logs Of wood
she calls her babies, and singing to her.
self little old tunes she used to know
when q child. There amt no fire any.
where round the premises, and I've
locked up the matches. You think he's
goin' to git along, Hannahr and she
glanced toward the sick mans room.
"Yes, the doctor says he's sure he'll
get up, though 1t may be slow, and per-
haps he'll never have his speech again
quite perfect, but his mind and memory
are clearin' every day"
"Well," said Ruby after q moment Of
reflection, ~ know jest how you feel,
but II the Lord in his providential deal.
in's should see ft to take the old man
away-to let him down easy, you know,
1t might be q great mercy to you"
Hannah had caught herself noddinR
again, but these Ill advised words reused
her like strong shake on the shoulder.
81 don't know what you mean," said
she, "about its bein' q mercy to me
to have him took away. Hes blessing
and comfort and a daily example in
goodness and patience; but Of course
you can't know I look on it as privilege
to wait on him; and as for his making q
mite Of trouble, he never does. don't
wonder you care more for cats than you
do for folks"
Ruby, in spite Of her adipose tissue,
felt quite hattened by this Outburst Of
Hannah's wrath, and took a moment to
catch her breath. "You needn't fly up
in that way as II you meant to scratch
my eyes out, she said pathetically. ~
didn't mean o mite o harm. was
thinkin' Of all your burdens, Hannah,
and that If in the Lords mercy he was
took away
"Don't say that again" said Hannah,
half sobbing. ~ can't bear to think Of
1t; but I'm sorry spoke up quick to you
as did, Ruby, 1t was my bad temper,
and my nerves all tangled and out Of tune
with watchin' and worry. know you
mean well, Ruby; you always do"
Ruby wasleft alone at her post swathed
In some sort Of bagging, formless gar
ment called Q double gown, with her
three shawls about her and the worsted
fascinator tied over her ears. She sat
in q rocking chair in the shaded sick
room with her feet in woolen slippers,
supported on q cricket. The old man on
his bed scarcely stirred, and his breath
ing was slow and noiseless. 4 lamp
burned on the table in the kitchen and
q soft .purring sound came from the fire
in the stove. The house was buried in