The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-04-07

over him and kissed him. Why,you
are quite feverish," she said. Z"
must make you some lemonade be-
fore / go. What a chill you must
have taken"
Again the deacon felt convincing
shiver. He lifted his head and looked
at his niece. IF you bought that
new dress" he said, his thrifty soul
asserting itself, you can go; but you
mustn't go of walking after it's over,
An you an Sary'd better go to prayer
meetin' next time an learn how TO die.
His head fell back instantly. He
groaned more loudly than before. His
/ last word had sent sudden, grue-
some apprehension TO his heart.
"Why, what is it, Uncle? A pain?"
The deacon waved his hand inpatient
ly. $50 away" he said, in a husky
voice, Ego TO your dancing an your
singing an your mirth-making. Go,
Margaret, an leave helpless old
man alone TO die"
81 will not go il you are sick, Of
course, uncle; but / think it is
only"
''I am very sick man." he inter
rupted, in hollow whisper, "an' Pm
growing sicker every minute"
"I'll send James for the doctor,
uncle, shall II"
The deacon moved rcstlessly. He
put his hand TO his forehead and took
il away again, hastily. 1t was hot
and dry. 1t startled him. Tears
sp-ang to his eyes.
I'm n dreadful sick man." he
mo opned; "I'm on my dying bed,
Marg ret. "
Margaret smoothed back his tum-
blcd hair.
"Oh, no." she said, "the doctor'll
cure you. I'll go out and send for
him now"
Tell James to hurry; tell him
His lips refused TO utter the dread
ful word. He gasped and looked with
mute cntreaty at his neice.
Mcg's calmness reassurcd him
somewhat, but her parting word again
set his heart huttering.
"Oh, the doctor won I let you die,
she said leaving the room.
She returned presently, bearing "a
bowl Of thorougwort tea. Sarah fol-
lowed, spoon and napkin in her
hand. She came up and looked at
the deacon with close attention
WHICH greatly enhanced his alarm.
She placed her fingers on his pulse
and counted the hurried throbs.
"I'm studying with father" she
explained. IL mean TO be Il doctor,
you know, Deacon Albany"
The deacon made "a feeble motion
with his lips. Sarah stopped to lis
ten. Save me, Sairy," he whispered,
"do'nt let me-die."
IL will do what / can, Deacon Al
bany, but life and death are in the
Lord s~Hands. F"
The deacon groaned aloud. Her
gravity confirmed his fears, her words
sent an icy chill to his heart. How
often he had used them, when, stand
ing by sick-bcd, he had striven
with the impenitent sinner. Life
andleath," he had said, "and you
poor sinful creature, you've got death
TO face now. The Lord has summoned
ye i'm the midst OF your sins, and We
can't get away from death"
His eyes filled with sudden smart
ing tears. He felt a sudden, fierce
pity for the dying sinners. He wished
lr had been more gentle with them.
He turned upon his pillow and lay
with his face TO the wall. He could
not bear the sight of the fresh young
faces.
Meg stole quietly from the room.
Sarah heard her putting more wood in
the stove. But the deacon heard
nothing. From his troubled heart
rose the troubled cry: II amt ready
yet, Lord oh, Lord, let me live!
let me live!"
In short time Meg returned. II
thought I'd have some hot water
ready" she said. THE doctor may
want it. He seems feverish, don't
you think"
They always do in such cases, "
returned Sarah, oracularly. 1T is in
evitable.
Low as was her voice the deacon
caught the word~. Again he uttered
n deep groan. Both Sarah and Meg
stopped over him. What is it?"
they asked. Where is the pain?'
More loudly still the deacon
groaned. He could not speak. His
mind was occupied with those fate
ful words-''in such cases. She
knew il them She, the daughter of
doctor, almost doctor herself, she
knew the symptoms of poisoning.
Groan after groan escaped from be-
tween his set lips; he extended his
limbs and lay in an almost rigid po-
sition. He closed his eyes and
breathed heavily in the intervals be-
tween the groans.
Meg stood beside him and smoothed
his hair, passing her cool hand over
his damp forehead from time TO time.
Her ncarness, the sense OF sympathy
it impaired, gave him comfort, but
il did not ease the load upon his heart.