The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-13
UNDER THE NAPLES;
Or, the Test of Character.
a Story Of Village Life
w A 1t E r N. H n M A N.
a Story of Village Life

''OhI !" said Reuben, generous and unsus-
picious now that what had seemed to him
an unfathomable mystery was clearly ex-
planned go ahead, I'll be tarnal glad TO
get the dumbed thing out O. the way. Take
'em an any other piles in welcome.
There'll be a few stun left on the oil place
arter they'r gone-just a few, hay? one or
tewp' and he haw-bawed at that mild
joke.
Ira saw firm of contractors in the
neighboring city and Mr. Warren got spe-
cial rates from the railroad company for
him. Then he hired boy, and Mr.. Lorraine
allowed Sam Speckles TO help him, and
also insisted upon lending him the farm
team, for he said that they just stood in
the barn and ate their heads off at this
time of year, 30 that by the time snow flew
enough to STOP them he had finished and
cleared over 500. 1t took a great load
from his and his grandmother's mind, for
without this they did not know how they
would have struggled through the winter.
Ira's dignity did not suffer any, for even
DR.. Heron looked upon it as a Legitimate
business speculation which any doctor
could embark in as principal.
Arthur had been elected TO the legisla-
ture by an unusually large majority. His
mother never renewed the conversation in
family. She had heard OF Babes brave ex-
plot at Rocky Glen, and this, together
with the certainty that che had already
approached him on the subject in the
wrong way, or at least had said the wrong
thing, kept her silent. lie would take
his seat at Albany the first oil January.
and this would separate them. ana in the
meantime he had several important law
suits on hand, keeping him very busy.
Nevertheless he had taken Babe out to
ride on several occasions and had shown
her more marked attention than usual at
several places, but, singularly enough, he
did not know that she had risked her
life to save his. All the village knew
it-they find out all about
such things in villages-and every one
supposed he knew it; every one but Babe,
who knew from MS actions and by what
he said, or rather, didn't say, that he was
still ignorant OF what she had done. His
struggle for life in the water had prevented
him from seeing just what did take place.
He knew that Babe reached nim some
time before Ira did, but Ira was probably
detained by something-he forbore to ask
what that something wac, for at the time
Babe had certainly avoided an explanation.
1t never occurred to him that she could
safely have crossed that slippery, rotten
log, or that she was daring enough to have
tempted il.
Laura supposed that he knew how Babe
had reached him or she certainly would
have told him; but why, supposing that
he knew what Babe had done, such a
lovely, gentle, and good young woman as
Laura certainly was, ana did not ever
speak of it as being a noble and brave
action, or refer TO it 10 Arthur in any way
-toN, - .,,f
drums which Laura and the members of
her sex alone can answer.
The winter months passed quietly.
Aunty did not sew or knit much now. She
spent the most of her time living on
the old-fashioned patchwork-covered
lounge in the sitting-room. She
did not cough much, but her
appetite had failed, and her
life forces were gradually wasting away.
Ira read much of the time to her. The
bible she listened to with keen interest.
and to such writings as Mrs. Phelps The
| Gates Ajar," but when he selected more
amusing books, az he often did, she
seemed not To listen closely, and it is
doubtful ii she followed the story at all
| She would lie with her eyes closed, or
would gaze on Ira with his book, or on
Babe with her sewing or knitting, with a
| quiet depth of her love and gentle resigna-
ton. Few. very few harsh or reproachful
words had ever been heard in that house
| hold. This winter there was not one.
| Even Nancy felt the overpowering intiu-
| ence of the approaching event, and was
| quiet and subdued es she never was be-
| fore.
DIR. Heron advised with Ira, but he
| held out no hope. IL think, he said.
THAT it will be only a short time, but it is
not given to any doctor to gauge the en-
durance Of patient-there is a great diff
ference in people IN this power OF fighting
| off death"
One night during the first DAYS of April
she felt unusually low and depressed, and
! Babe helped her TO bed earlier than usual.
In a few minutes Ira" Babe called,
come quickr' Babe had gotten her to
bed, but she had tainted. They all
worked over her for a long time, but she
did not fully regain consciousness. Her
| mind wandered back to childhood. Twice
| Nancy went for Dr. Heron, but he was
gone long distance on an important case
| Finally che sank to sleep, and Ira insisted
upon the two others getting some rest.
They were tired, and he knew il. He
promised to call ii anything happened
Babe lightly kissed the wrinkled face and
went slowly away.
About o'clock aunty awoke. She said
in low voice: Get me some water. Ira. y
He gave her some drink. She looked al
him feeblY for few moments. "Whai
time is it ?"
Zone O'Clock, grandma"
Again she waited quietly for a few mo
ments, but her eyes were wide open-shG
was thinking. ''lrs. please tell Babe e
come; / want 10 see her alone"
Ira ran and called Babe; she was still
dressed and awake.
In few minutes Babe came out to him
She had been crying and her eyes were
full of tears.
Nancy went into the bedroom Will
| them.
Goodbye. Nancy; do not leave the
children" said aunty. And Nancy leaned
against the low foot.board of the bed anC
sobbed aloud.
Babe and Ira took each OF her hands.
Goodbye, my children"-and family
you have been a blessin' to me-GoC
bless you--all."
On a cloudless April day--Babo's birth
day-they laid aunty away under the ma
pies in the village graveyard. To Ira
Babe and Nancy il il day that will neve
be forgotten. Babe bore up bravely unit
the coffin was lowered and the handful O
earth was cast upon il. Then she leane,
a -