South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-12-07
was one autumn day when Julian King

Woo ouc huIuulu OAy WH0H CullAu Ming
went up to see him. He was alone,
and lay with closed eyes, looking very
weak, indeed. King put down the
chrysanthemums no had brought,
great pink and crimson blot on the
white coverlid.
Patsy opened his eyes and smiled
family. ''Thank We, Mr.. King" he
whispered. '.Ain't they pretty"
King took Patsy's hot hand in his
own strong white palms.
"Do you feel better, Patsy"
Patsy shut his eyes again and big
tear stole down his cheek.
'Its-it's Nanny" he said. s1
can't take keer of her no more; sI
amt goin' to git we'll, Mr.. King. They
had ter tell me, cause wanted ter
know"
ooh. yes, you'll be we'll again, I
hope" said King cheerily. "And I'll
see that your mother does not suffer.
Let me tell you the funny thing just
saw now"
So he amused and diverted the
child, and presently Patsy fell asleep.
King had known for some time the
boy could not live. The hospital doc
tors had done all in their power for
him; and King had had an eminent
physician consulted on the case, but it
was hopeless. King wondered if tho
mother and Miss Dane knew it.
The beautiful Miss Dane had rs-
turned to her Western home, 80 the
society column announced in the
Pnk Doko
have told differently, for Miss Helen
came to see him nearly every day. He
had been talking of her to King, and
now King fell to thinking of her.
The door opened and some one in
black came over hastily to Patsy's side.
She recognized King quietly as he rose
to offer the chair.
''Never mind" she said. s.He is
asleep, and we may disturb him. They
told me yesterday he would not live
through to-day. and I have been 80
troubled. LIS his mother here?"
'cNo," answered King. perhaps
she had best not see the last. Pray,
take this chair"
Patsy opened his eyes, and they
frightened with gladness at sight of
her. She bent and kissed his forehead.
The pale November sun shown down
across the white bed, the pink AID
crimson crysanthemums and Miss
Danes black dress.
'Tt's evenin', Miss Helen, amt it, "
asked Patsy. 'It's gettin' dark"
He grssped her hand closely. King
bent over him and raised his pillow
One of the attendants came up, but
King motioned her back.
'Iet him have air." he said. But
little Patsy's face was very white and
drawn now. He turned to the King
and tried to speak.
$50 good to me-" he gasped.
King held the other hand firmly.
NANNY, I can't see yer, but Mr..
King, he's going to be good ter yer,
too. An won't feel no more pain
nor nuthin'."
The blue eyes tried to look up, but
the lids were heavy. He believed his
mother was holding his hand, for the
tired mind had begun to wander.
King was stroking his for ehead with q
touch as gentle as woman's.
can Miss Helen, she'll sing ter yer
some time, Nanny. = Rock
of Ages or somethin'. An b'lieve ]
hear-her-now. ."
Helen Dane was singing softly, gen.
tly. The last rays of the sunset faded
and the chiid's Soul -aonted -vut.peaee.
fully bn the last sweet notes of the old
hymn he had loved.
A little later Patsy's two friends
were going down stairs together. II
was after dark now. King called g
cab.
"May I see you homeg' he asked,
gently.
eyes" she said, in the same tone.
And before they reached home there
were two hearts to whom misunder-
standing was past, and in the clear
shining after tears the beauty of souls
stood plain. Not frivolous, not shall
low, not Indifferent nor cold, but mis-
judged. The white light of love came
upon them from the sweet sad memory
of the little Irish lad, and Helen hid
her face close in Kings arms.-New
Orleans Tmes-Democrat.