The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-08-16

AAOou6ulu6.
CHAPTER ".
He went out in the drizz1ing rain
smiling, though little pale, with his
mouth set in strong determined line,
and accented by the square chin. He
looked back at the cottage and clinche5
his hands as he thought of Sybil and Of
the thunderbolt that seemed TO have re-
corded his vow in heaven.
Hannah was so shaken by the inter
view she felt too unnerved to take up
her work again. There was so 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 1t to Sybil, and she
kept saying over to herself as a 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 a child, his face turned
toward the sunny window where 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.
ssDid it strike anything, mother; the
thunder mean"
"No, unless it struck me" said Han
nah. 81 feel as if had had a shock Of
some kind"
Its because you're overworked, y said
Sybil, sympathetically looking in her
mothers face. HYou are worn out with
taking care Of Mr.. Rand and me, and
am afraid | have been rather selfish te
stay in bed SO long when you needed my
help. guess 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 word OF. comfort in her ear,
but she was a Spartan mother, with clear
seeing eyes, and she knew it was best tc
let Sybil draw on her own native
strength.
Ruby Armstrong had comein to watch
that night with Mr.. Rand, after the
good neigbborly custom not yet extinct
in the questionable part of Littlefeld,
where trained nurses were unknown.
Hannah had set out a 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.
sThere 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 SO worr
with work and watching and worry il
she sat down to rest for q moment she
dropped fast asleep. Nature had at last
asserted itself over her indomifable en-
ergy.
"You see, I've been KEEP up three
nights running" she said apologize
ally, as she began to nod in Ruby's face,
land 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 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, Hannah? and she
glanced toward the sick mans room.
Eyes, the doctor says he's sure he'll
get up, though it may be slow, and per
haps he'll never have his speech again
quite perfect, but his mind and memory
are elearin' every day."
"Well, said Ruby after a moment Of
reflection, 81 know jest how you feel,
but if the Lord in his providential deal
ms should see fit to take the old mar
away-to let him down easy, you know,
it might be great mercy to you.
Hannah had caught herself noddina
again, but these i'll advised words reused
her like strong shake on the shoulder.
Il don't know what you mean" said
she, ssabout its bein' a mercy to me
to have him took away. He's blessing
and comfort and daily example IN
goodness and patience; but Of course
you can't know look on it as a privilege
to wait on him; and as for his making
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 fattened by this outburst OF
Hannah's wrath, and took moment tc
catch her breath "You needn't fly ur
in that way as if you meant to scratch
my eyes out" she said pathetically. 81
didn't mean a mite O. harm. l 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. II can't bear to think Of
it; but I'm sorry | spoke up quick to you
as did, Ruby, it was my bad temper,
and my nerves all tangled and out of tune
with watchin' and worry. l know you