The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-04-13

Ing. But IL shook only Tor moment Then
the hands that held il fell upon the breast.
Mrs North" whispered the nurse gently
Then she touched her hand. It was cold
Mrs. North-dear Mrs. North! Ny 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 she straighten-
ed 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 inst as self
satisfied; the eyes were just as clear and
forward looking.
He didn't come. / knew he wouldn't.
Them Norths was allus the selfshest lot. They
| wouldn't one on EN- bulge if they thought it
'ud please anybody-even dyin' womsn. An
he-he hadn't any cause to leave her-none in
the wide world"
She sat the long dismal night out The ear
ly morning brought the doctor. who shook his
| head sadly, left tile house at once and sent over
Mrs. Buffers, who laid the poor woman out
and stayed in the death room while Auntie
| Tiff got break fast for the children. 1t was
% trial to the dear old soul to have to tell
them. They were not yet astir. She went into
the room where they lay asleep and ber t
over them tenderly. Buds had kicked nearly
all his bedclothes off, and Gwen lay crosswss
| in her little cot
AN she was alIus so partickler bout keep.
in 'em covered up SOS they wouldn't take
cold,' said she, pulling the comforter up over
Buds, who showed sleepy satisfaction because
| of the warmth, for the morning was chill, an
| now
Gwen nestled down more snugly and smiled
in her sleep.
Sleepin' with her arm up under her head.
| jest like her mother does-did. Bless her dear
Fla hoo- 2 1=f
She rubbed her eye with the back of her
| hand. Then she went out into the kitchen
and peeled the potatoes sadly, taking q good
while TO do it.
The children finally awoke from their merci.
ful sleep and were gently made aware Of their
loss. 1t was a hard task. that of Auntie Tiiford
and Mrs. Buffers. 10 make them cease their sos
So they gave il up and the two little ones,
choking with grief. went out in tho gar len 10
| pick flowers to lay on their mothers breast.
IL their good for nothing father don't take
care of them, / will" said Mrs Buffers. whose
motber-heart was sore at sight of their tear
stained faces.
All the children could find in the flower gar
den were marguerites and Gala lilies. They
pulled these out from among the tall mustard
weeds that choked the plants and vines every
where in the little Enclosure.
Mamma said papa would come. He'll come
p'raps to day" was Buds's one cheering thought,
and he communicated 1t to Gwen over and
over again.
Don't cry. Gwennie" he said, bravely
striving to keep back his own tears "Papall
take us ali to the city, an you can go to the
matinee wiz him and go out to the park an
sec the buffsloes, an the monkeys, an the big
deer wivout any horns"
Wy don't he tum, den2" sobbcd Gwen
"W'y don't he tum?"
Oh, it's business-sellin' things you now
Iy.,Ffl L. > I'm
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 com.
ing for 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 90
by. The wind sighed through the tall gum
trees. aud 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 sfted 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 Til:ord 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 WAS TIL, handsome man with a
pointed heard.
Glad looks overspread the faces of the two
watchers.
Its Papa-Papa, coming to get us,"
screamed Buds. his face twisting with delight. |
Yeih. it'll my own-owny Papa!" cried |
Gwen, jumping up and down.
There was wild rush down the gravel walk |
Meanwhile Auntie Tilford, at the window,
to Mrs. Buffers: Its him. sure /
'nouch. But who's that with him-a woman?" |
Yes; woman. That explains it ALL"
Buds and Gwen had reached the gate and |
were waving their hands. Then they stood |
still for moment in rapt expectancy Gwcns |
hair was futtering in the light wind and |
Bads's patches made him look very picturesque,
ne he climbed upon the gate aud waved his tat
tered straw hat. The carriage came along the
sound of its wheels being joyful music to the
ears. But they went no farther cut.
They bad canght sight of the strange woman
aud she awed them.
The man who was driving refined in his horse
and made it walk slowly. He looked toward
the house with an unconcerned air. Then the
Grape on the door caught his eye. He WINGED,
gave his horse an ugly cut with the whip, aud
Vas soon far down the road
With a dull sense of having lost the whole |
world, the children leaned upon the gate and
watched the dust-cloud stirred up by the
wheels, as it grew smaller aud smaller in the
distance.
What makes you look 80 gloomy ell of q
uddenf" asked the woman in the carriage
Don't you feel well, Henry?"
It's nothing. / forgot to bring along my
igar case"