The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-08-03

slght they were only strange, unfa-
miliar shapes.
81 want to go homeI" she mourned
still. 81 want to 60 homer
The doctor shook his head one day
as he strapped up his case of medi-
cines and drew on his driving gloves.
Miss Lydia had followed him out into
the entry.
"You don't think she's failing, doc
tor, do you?' she asked with sudden
dread.
"Well, / don't know. Her mind is
wearing ont her body, and if she does
MT get over the idea that she isn't at
home soon, rm afraid she may break
down under the strain. The only
thing to be done is to give her nour-
ishing food and keep her as cheerful
as you can. Good morning!"
The doctor buried away.
Miss Lydia turned slowly back 10
the sitting room. Those few words
had removed scales from her eyes, as
it were. She realized with parg
how worn the dear figure by the win
dow had grow of late, and how her
mothers strange delus.on had tight
ened its hold week by week.
She went about her work all day
with weight at her heart. an un-
spoken prayer on her lips. Anxious
Miss Lydia, an old maid in the old
home, was returning to her parents
the tender, untiring care which they
had bestowed on her as a child.
Through the long night she lay
awake, wondering if nothing could be
done to clear away the cobwebs from
that poor befogged brain. In the
early dawn an inspiration came to her
SO happy that she breathed a deep
sigh of relief, and fell asleep only to
be aroused by the birds twittering in
the vines outside, and broad ray of
sunlight drifting across her face.
As soon as she was dressed she hur-
ried into her mothers room and drew
the curtains aside briskly, letting in a
flood of light and the warm, sweet
morning air.
"Well, mother" she cried, cheerily,
"this is splendid day tor your jour-
ney, isn't it? You know you're going
home todayI"
"Why, so 1 AMP said grandma,
with smile of childish delight as she
sat up in bed. Il declare I'd almost
forgot about it. Seems as if the time
would never comel We aren't going
till after breakfast are we, Lydia? l
hope you'll see that your fathers
ready. He's growing very slipshod in
his ways lately"
ooh, he's at home already" an
swered Lydia. 'He wants to be on
hand when you get there"
So grandma rose in state of ex-
element, to take her tea and toast and
a dropped egg with relish she had
not shown since her illness.
Then she was dressed as if for
journey, in her best black cashmere,
camel's hair shawl, the big black bon
net with the purple violets within the
brim, the shiny one-button black
gloves, her overshoes, and the little
worsted work-bag on her arm to hold
her "specs," her handkerchief and
her porte monnaie She was ready 10
set out.
Miss Lydia took her arm, and they
started slowly. slowly down the long
flight of stairs.
She helped her down the front steps
leading to the sidewalk, talking TO her
all the time about her return home,
and keeping her attentions away from
the scenes about her. Then she helped
her into a carryall that stood walnhg'
"Pll warrant that when we get
there" said Lydia, after they were In
the carriage, .'father'lI be waiting 1or
us at the top of the steps
The driver took turn around 'he
block, and returned to the house lie
had just left.
"Well, here we are at last" said
lydia. "1t's been pretty long anu
tiresome Journey, but guess you've
stood it pretty well"
For an instance the old lady seemeo
dazed. But Lydia called our ""e'''
if there aiut father, just as SAID he Il
bel" Grandma caught sight OF MN
rnhbinv his hands at the iOp OF tho