The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1893-07-15
"Asleep again ~-that's good sim,

doctor, who was still behind the pOr.
there. As she did so, the white hand
stole under the pillow and feebly
grasped the photograph lying there
The eyelids moved softly; then they
closed, and the soft breathing went
on. L$N
Auntie Tilford put the children to
bed. Then she lay down on the cot
by the side OF the sick woman The
cot creaked a little under her portly
form as she settled herself down.
II won't go to Sleep" she promises
herself. ''l1l jest rest a bit and keep
n eye open, If she'd need anything"
But the poor old soul had not slept
for three nights, and it was not long
before she was doing. Soon she
was in q profound slumber.
Harry" was what she heard when
startled out of her sleep in the mid
die of the night; Harry. you'll not
forget. They're your very own
The woman lay with the photo
graph held before her eyes. The
light was strong enough for the
nurse to see that the picture was
shaking. But it shook only for a
moment. Then the hands that held
it fell upon the breast.
''Mrs. North" whispered the nurse
gently. Then she touched her hand.
"Mrs. North-dear Mrs. North! NV
God, she's dead!"
Auntie Tilford went about with
frightened face and guilty look. The
first thing she did was to turn up the
light. Then che Strengthened the
dead woman out, lowered the pillow
under her head and crossed her
hands, still holding the photograph
over her breast. Through the thin
fingers looked out the face of the
man with the pointed beard. 1t was
just as handsome as ever; the smile
just as self-satisfied; the eyes were
just as clear and forward-looking.
The children finally awoke from
their merciful sleep and were gently
made aware of their loss. 1t was q
hard task, that of Auntie Tflford and.
Mrs. Buffers, to make them cease
their sobs. So they gave it up and
the two little Ones. choking with
grief, went out in the garden to pick
flowers to lay on their mothers
breast.
If their good-for-nothing father
don't take care of them, l WILL" said
Mrs. Buffers, whose mother-heart
was sore at their te~ar-stained faces.
All the children could find in the
fower garden We're marguerites and
Gala lilies. They pulled these out
from among the tall mustard weeds
that ehoked the plants and vines
everywhere in the little %inclQsup6.
"Mama said papa would come.
He'll come p'raps to-day" was Buds
one cheering thought, and he COM
m%unieated it to Gwen over and over
again.
'Do4't cry. Gwennie," he said,
pravely striving to keep back his own
tears. "Papa'll take US all to the
city, an you can go to the matinee
wiz him and go out to the park AM
see the buffaloes, an the monkeys,
an the big deer wivout any HORNS"
IVY don't he tum, dep?n sobbeq
Gwen. "W'y don't he t4nf2"
''Oh, it's h4 sipess--selliH' things,
you know. He'll be here by='4'-by,
an he'll bring you q big new doll
baby"
There was comfort in the words,
and the girl ceased Crying. TO the
boy. however, there was yet much
anxiety. Papa had been coming for
a long time, a very long time, and he
never came.
After they had placed the flowers
on the strangely quiet form, they
went out to the gate and watched the
carriages and work-teams go by. The
wind sighed through the tall gum
trees, and the waiting ones heard the
mournful sound with greater ear for
it than ever before. The dry leaves
rustled along the ground and the
dust from the passing wheels foated
over the fence and sifted down upon
the green alfalfa. Everything seemed
misty to them, for their eyes were
swollen with grief. They watched
patiently for the coming of their
father, until Auntie Tilford called
them in to dinner: They ate lightly
and hurriedly, and started again for
the gate. AS they reached the door
they saw a carriage coming down the
road. In it "a a tall, handsome
man with q pointed beard.
Glad looks overspread the faces of
the two watchers. 49,.
"1t's papa-papa,, coming to get
us!" screamed Buds, his face whiten-
ing with delight. .
"Yeth, it'll my own-owny papa"
cried Gwen, jumping up and down.
There was a wild rush down the
gravel walk. ~
Meanwhile Auntie >Tilford at the
wind9w, remarked to Mrs. Buffers:
'.It's him. sure 'pough. But who's
| that with him-a womanp' =
Yes; a woman. That explains it
ell"
Bpds and Gwen hal reached the
gate and were waving their hands.
Then they stood still for q moment in
wrapt expectancy. Ovens hair wass
~Auttering in the light wind, and Buds
patches made him look very pictur-
esque, as he climbed upon the gate
and waved his tattered straw hat.
The carriage came along, the sound
ST it's wheels being joyful music to.
the childrep's ears. But they went
no further out They had caught
sight of the strange woman and she
awed them.
The man who vas driving refined in
bis horse and made it walk slowly.
He looked toward the house with an
u~nconcerned air. Then the Grape on.