The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-07-08
OIL. XIV. RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD. FRIDAY. j
l knew she would know,


laughing, when his parcel was sent off
and knew what road he meant. could
walk it in the dark. think if had only
one inch of strength left would choose
to walk there till l died. We took an
omnibus and went rather farther out
than usual. Chris was very bright and
brotherly rather in an absent way,
and seemed bent on showing me that he
was not downhearted But we talked Of
other things, never of Pauline.
We had tea at the little shop "really in
the country" as Chris said hopefully. I
think they took us for brother and sister,
1t was very pleasant shopwoman; she
had a little girl with round, ruddy face
and very light hair, who made friends
with Chris at once, as children always
did. and he gave her a bright, new six
pence, for which I shook my head at him.
We had tea at a small round table by the
front kitchen fire. rather than in the cold,
deserted room where they had visitors in
summer. 1t was so warm and comfort
able, and Chris liked the warmth, though
they could eat little. When tea was done
we still sat there five minutes by the fire,
chatting quietly. Perhaps it was because
crisis was over and one could breathe
more freely; perhaps it was because he
knew the vase would please her; but
thing those few minutes were pleasant,
even to Chris. Sometimes his face comes
up before me as clearly as possible, with
the freight on though can not recall
it when try.
Then we set out to walk back. All the
way there the wind had been with us,
and we had hardly felt it, but now we
met it full. 1t was bitter wind, and,
before we had left the shop ten minutes,
driving sleet began. We walked two
miles before we could get an omnibus.
Chris thought lightly of it, of course,
and was only anxious for meas if
could have been hurt Death is for peo-
pie like Chris. try to forget that walk
home, and 60 back to where we sat in
the freight; but dream of the other
Sometimes, and the sleet is in our faces
again, and know it is killing him. and
wake myself with calling out
Very well; that is all over. The doctor
said that perhaps it made no real differ
ence; what happened then might have
happened any day in the state Chris
was in. 1t was an hour after we
reached home, and he was coughing
terribly-he broke blood vessel. But
he lived for two days, and I nursed
him to the end; he wanted no one
else. He said I was a good nurse,
but knew my hands were very hard
and rough with housework. I did pray
that might lose the use of them forever
if God would make them cool and soft
till Chris died-but I suppose that
would have been a miracle. Chris did
not mind. He was very grateful, and
said he should certainly meet me again.
He had always so much faith. A little
before he died he smiled and said he was
going west northwest.
That is three years ago, and am glad
| now; for the summers seem to be grow
ing shorter and shorter and the winters
longer; there is great deal of distress
everywhere, and I am glad he is away,
for while he lived he would always have
taken the hardest part. But sometimes
in the spring and summer there are very
lovely days, and then wish he were
back. 1t is rather like living in a vacuum,
where one can't draw long breath be-
cause there Is no air; but all that will
pass over. Milly is married at last to
some one very rich; but there are all the
others, and the SCOT is worse than ever,
and new things are always turning up to
be done. I am thankful for that.
should like every hour and minute to be
filled quite fulfill 1 go west north
west.-May Kendall, in Longman's Mag
azine.