The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-26

of low hill where they stood. Then, as
Mary stopped lower with her burden that
her head might not show above the tall
green stalks through which she was about
to maks her way. Mrs. Glaze gasped out ::
go on. Save yourself. l can 90 no
more" and, sinking down, tainted away
at her humble friends feet. At the same
moment the latteT's baby, awakened by
the sudden shock of the falling body, set
up piteouS wall.
Half beside herself. Mary crouched
down, hushing her baby to her breas: with
one hand. while with the other she loos-
ened the faintlng woman's dress and
turned her face upward that the night air
might refresh her.
She could do no more. There was not a
drop of water near TO moiSten the lips al
ready black and pafcned. but after brief
soOthed, had fallen asleep again, she laid
both babes down by Mrs. Clare and crept
on her hands and knees to little eminen ce
where she could have a view of their sur
roundings.
Poor GertrudeI She was reused from
her merciful stupor By something sharp
| and singing, and opening Der eyes saw
Mary leaning over with branch of some
thOrny plant in her hand. but not even the
seemingly cruel method of her revival re-
called her so much as the look of horror
on the girls face.
| EOHeI Hc-oOs luo fdIISE whispered,
and, crawling behind her, Gertrude came
TO a point where, peeping through the
sheltering stack of Indian corn. they could
see the valley beneath. They were not
more than half mile as the bee flies from
the mosque. Ii lay just below them, its
white domes cleaning out of the tufts of
palms like globe of frosted silver in the
moon beams. Mary pointed TO it silently,
and Gertrude felt her blood grow chill
within her veins as she saw five armed
! figures, their black faces and white tur-
bans plainly discernible in the pure white
light as they stole through the garden to
| the door from which the two women had
so recently escaped.
"HarkW Mary whispered. and even
with the words there came to them upon
| the wind the faint cry of baffled rage as the
murderers found that their prey had es-
capped. The next moment they came rush
ing into the garden again. beating about in
search of their victim. Mary's hand closed
| on her companion.
IF they find our thrack an come
straight afther us. they'll be ten min utes
gittin' here" she said, huskily, IAN if
we're not gone-missis, dear, only ak We
To run ten minutes more. If we can but
/ get thrue this field an down on the other
| side toward the river, L know where we
can hide, an they'll not be foIlerin'. fnT
| fear o. bein' cut off by our men. Only
kape up yer heart, for the love O. God, and
thry."
II will do my best" answered Mrs.
Clare, but il / drop, leave me. 1t will
not be your fault, and l shall not suffer
long,"
Mary said nothing, but squeezed the
slim, white hand in her brown and horny
one. and then only waiting to lift the mer-
cifully sleeping children they resumed
their flight.
But before they had reached the farther
extremity of the c0rnfield Mrs. Glare had
thrice stunt led, and Mary stopped of her
gasping breath that her companion S
strength had we'll nigh come to an end. a
new idea seized her, and taking off her
cloak she succeeded in strappng the in
FAINT onto her back; then making Mrs.
Clare take her arm, led her on. cheering
the sinking woman every now and then
with an encouraging whisper.
1t was dowuhill now, but every step
was a stumble. every breath a prayer.
and they had gained SUCH little distance.
Suddenly Mrs. Clare reeIed, and the hold
on Mary's arm gave way. The red spots
on her cheeks had died out and 4 mortal
pallor was there instead.
Mary" she said, every breath coming
with moan, leave me now, 1 command
you. You've done your best. God bless
you. Go, take your child and give me
mine. 1t would not live long without me,
and i can go no further-n0t one step"
And looking into her face Mary Kirwan
saw it was true. What was to be done (?
For moment she stood still and mute :;
then q scarlet color rushed into her
cheeks. and she fell on her knees. 20
Lord Christ, l see way. but it's hard,
hard. Help me to do it, for there's no
other at ALL"
1t was a moments prayer. and no sooner
uttered than she arose. undid the children
from her hack. handed Mrs Clara har
own. and tenderly wrapping up the other
in her cloak, darted away with it among
the cornstalks without a word.
When she came back her arms were
empty. and her face was white as death.
"Maryi" cried the English mother,
"where is it?' What have you done with
it--your child?"
''I've put 1t down." her lips quivering as
she raised the other. Maybe they'll not
be afther seein him (for it's in hole he is
among the CORN widout BIS cries, and he'll
not do that the darllD, when I've nursed