San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-10-10

and had tucked five dollar bill in Han
nah's apron pocket and said brusquely,
"You will want money to fill the pre-
scriptions have left and to buy the old
man few dainties-a little fruit now
and then, Hannah"
But you amt rich man, doctor.
You practice too much among the poor
and forget to send in bills"
The doctor hated to be reminded of his
good deeds, and his temper was apt to be
a little nasty after a night on the road
with one or two bad cases on his hands.
do as tell YOU" said he roughly. I'D
rather wear my old overcoat another
three years than have the old man want
for anything"
As Hannah was getting breakfast the
early morning ray shOIe cheerily be-
tween the houses and lit up the newly
made gardens and the elm tree boughs,
thick now with dusly brown buds and
the delicate tops of the naples turning
pale pink and yellow. She paused mo-
ment in her work and looked at the ROSY
morning clouds, and it came over her
suddenly that she had two sick people
on her hands, that SybIls salary had
ceased, and great pile of custom work
lay unfinished by her sewing machine.
Hannah'S heart was full OF trouble fol
the old man. whose bright mind was lit
tie overloaded: for her girl, who had re-
ceived Il stunning blow on the heart. but
she was still undaunted The more de-
manded of a woman of Hannah's heroic
mold the more her resources are multi
piled; and though she had slept but little
during the night she girded herself to do
a great days work, and now as she stood
and looked at the rosy sky out of her
window she caught moment for silent
prayer. 1t was by such inward exercise
she lived through the hard times-the
terrible agonies of her ife-by child
like leaning of her strong soul on the in
finite heart of love and pity.
Two days had passed and the old man
was no better. His bright intellect had
gone into partial eclipse. He dozed
great deal, and it was sometimes diff
cult to arouse him when the time came
to administer his medicine. But he was
always patient, and his native courtesy
did not desert him in his pathetic feeble
ness. The second day when Hannah
came to give him his beef tea he tried
to rouse himself and to contend with
the thickness Of his tongue.
I'm afraid | give you "A great deal of
trouble" he said: but perhaps it won't
be for long. want you to have all l
leave, Hannah. My watch and my old
books-Dick may come to prize them
some day-and you will find a will in
my early edition of Shakespeare-th
1923, Hannah. That book is valuable,
and might bring you money if there is
need of it to pay for N.Y.
Don't say that" cried Hannah, with
catching sob in her throat. II love to
wait on you, Mr.. Rand, and would glad
ly if there was twenty times us much to
do; but you're just like Il lamb to take
care Of" and the warm tears splashed
down on the old patchwork quilt.
"There. there, don't agitate yourself,
he said, feebly pressing her hand, and i'll
a moment he had dozed off again, with
his face looking pinChed and gray i'll the
daylight that came in from the little
window where the robin was singing.
Sybil did not rise that day. She said
nothing allied her, only she was SO tired
and wanted to rest. She refused food,
and her mother could think of nothing
but a white rose as her pale cheek rested
on the pillow touched by the long, curl
ing lashes.
1t was afternoon when Hannah sat
bending over her work rapidly plying
her needle. The sky grew suddenly
black as prelude to a thunder shower,
and sudden gust of wind made the dust
eddy and whirl in the road. In the tur
MOL made by the gust, Hannah thought
she heard a tap upon her door, and she
called out Come in and did not even
pause to look round, thinking twas Ruby
Armstrong. The door opened timidly
and some one entered, but as there was
no further sound Hannah laid by her
work and, to her establishment, saw
young man standing in the shadow be-
hind her and awaiting q summons to ad-
vance He held his hat i'll his hand in a
deferential attitude and his look was
troubled and downcast.
The blood flowed back to Hannah's
heart as she arose and clattered the
chair with unnecessary noise. Edward
Dinsmore had dared to show his face in
her house, and presently the crimson
tide came rushing back to her brown
face, and her proud and loyal soul was
in arms. She was like u ioness defend
ing her young ones. The thunder was
muttering and sudden blackness had
fallen on the room, but Hannah needed