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

inS Tell him to hurry. Tell him
tell him"
His voice failed suddenly, and he
fell back upon the pillow. Meg
hastened TO soothe him. ." He was
away" she said, but James left
word. He'll be here soon
The deacon opened his eyes and
fixed them upon his niece. With an
effort he spoke, trying vainly TO
steady his quivering voice. Hell be
too late" he said. He can't help
me now. I'm going, Marg'ret, I'm
going fast. Death"
He broke off abruptly. He shut his
eyes and turned his head 10 the wall.
Meg, leaning over him, heard him
murmur, "Oh, Lord, / never thought
I'd go like this. Oh, Lord, let me
live 30
Meg stole away from the bed max
ing an imperative motion TO Sarah.
Both left the room, and after hur-
ried conference in the kitchen, Meg
returned TO her uncle's bedside.
He was still groaning and tossing
rcstlessly from side to side. Meg bent
over him. She touched her lips to
his forehead. "Do you feel much
pain, dear uncle?" she asked.
ooh yes, yes oh yes, yes! Oh,
I'm going fast, Marg'ret, I'm a"
Again before the dread word he fal-
tered, and Meg, seeing it, stopped
and third time kissed him. You
will be well tomorrow" she said.
Sarah says so, and she is almost n
Doctor"
The deacon caught at this faint ray
OF hope with pitiful eagcrness. Does
she say so? What does she say! Why
don't she do something for mel Tell
her"
Sarah's voice interrupted him.
There was "A CHEEKY ring to it which
invigorated him. She came up and
stood beside him, looking at him with
smile. II thought I'd make n
mustard plaster for your chest, Dea-
con Albany, but don't find anything
in the pantry but the canned peas
and blueberries | brought from home
yesterday, so why, what is the
matter?'
ltTt WAS d lMlu III lltl tlt anu
laugh in her voice, but the deacon
noticed them not. He sat up, waving
his hand toward the door. "Go!" he
cried $50 downstairs, both Of you"
why, unclel"
"Gop he repeated. IL amt
sick no longer. I'm well. I'm a
well man, thank God! Leave me"
His voice trembled with his emotion,
but IA second later il took a softer
tone. go" he said; leave me.
Let me thank my Lord for His tender
mercy and His loving kindness. Go,
-rfry dears."
Sarah and Meg went slowly down
the stairs. Neither spoke. Both
had heard something in his voice
which kept them silent. They sat
down upon the porch step and waited,
still in silence.
The stars came out family, and
presently faint rim OF gold betok-
ened the rising of the moon. And
still they sat in silence. But after a
long time as il seemed to them, they
heard the deacons slow footsteps
coming down the stairs. He passed
through the hall and into the kitchen,
and soon they saw him crossing the
wood yard to the barn, whose big
doors were still wide open to the warm,
fragrant evening air. Sarah found
voice then. IL might have put an
end TO it sooner" she said, regret
fully, her eyes following his slow
movements, but | thought father
would surely come, and
Sarah Cooke, do you mean"
YES" interrupted Sarah, I've
rather a turn for experiments, and
I've heard great deal about the
power of imagination, and-and--well,
| confess, Meg, really wanted to
note the effect Of fright upon your
uncle"
Il think il was cruel - blazed Meg,
call it downright cruel! And il that
is the way doctors"
Doctors must make experiments.
And, coaxingly, you know, l want
to be famous; | want to cure all the
! silly, nervous women of our day.
Even your uncle would subscribe to
experiment with his nerves for the
sake of making hundreds of homes
happier homes.
Meg put her hand on hers. She
touched it lovingly, Forgive me, "
she said, but next time, dear,
practice your enthusiasm or me.
Spare my poor uncle, | beseech
you"
The deacon's prayer was short that
night. His carefls avoidance OF many
of hisscustomary well-rounded phrases
struck both his listeners forcibly.
Both heard in his voice tone they
had never before heard. Both knew
its meaning, and tears filled their
eyes at his closing appeal Help
Thou me, O Lord, to smooth the
pillow of the dying sinner. Help
Thou me to help him. - Yankee
Blade.