The Philipsburg mail., 1895-08-01

write it. IL you'll think me very
strange, sir, but'-she leaned over the
foot of the bed and lowered her voice
the truth is. think I'll go clean out Of
my mind if I GO on like this. It's all
about Billy, sir. You won't speak
about it to Shall, but seem to be for
getting how lilly looks. l can't go to
sleep O nights for tryin' to make pic
ture of him in my mind an it's get
tin harder an harder. He's only been
gone twelve days, an last night I
couldn't seem to remember anything
but his hair. You see, l must be goin'
out of my mind. But if I had picture!
Oh, sir! let Shall take telegraph an
get the-the-whatever it is.
She left the foot of the bed and
came to the side. | looked up at the
poor face, and didn't hesitate long. Get
ME some paper and pencil 1 said.
Shall was dispatched with the tel
eeraph,' and the next afternoon a
packet came from the Eastman Com
pany.
My foot was very painful, Mrs
Shall begged me not to stand on it.
"Ill get you everything you want
she said
"'Well, where is the kodak? looked
e'b"u. 90 l. ui1hlL lLdollIdLl1 pdShL15T.
oh, it's in my room she said, look
ing little guilty; and she hurried out.
Il hope it hasn't been tampered
with observed, when she came back
again.
No, indeed' she said; but she flush
ed under my glance. Its only been
settin on my chest of drawers, where
| could see it plain.
But / mistrusted her, I dare say I
showed it, too. for she hesitated an in
stant, and said slowly, in a blundering
kind of way: You can't think, sir,
what a comfort it was for me just to
lie an look at it. I KEEP thinkin' my
Billy's in there. Maybe he's lookin' out
now, through that little round win
der! Shall said no, an told me how it
was; but, anyhow, it don't matter so
much now If do get maZed and can't
remember-his pictures safe in that
box. Seems queer, too, I've had such
lot of pictures Of Billy in my head.
an | can't keep one clear: an that lit
lie eye in the box never forgets him
never forgets him like his
own mother does Thomson cleared
his throat,
Il asked her if she had lamp with
red shade. Yes, sir she said, and
started for the door. s.c.-~
And bring in couple of shallow
dishes, pudding or vegetable Dishes,
said, and pair of scissors
Now you can go, Mrs. Shall said,
I'll call you when I'm ready
Go, sir!'
Yes, / won't be very long,
Oh, you mustn't send me away sir
she said. Let me stay, an I'll help you.
| can't go away and wait! She began to
Sob
II wished to the Lord was out of it,
But | thought, IF the picture turns out
right, after all! Well, began to feel
more hopeful.
The light was put behind the bed
and | opened the kodak and took out
the roll Of film.
Where is it?' said the woman in a
whisper, peering forward in the dark.
"I think it's the third on this reel
I said. Give me the scissors
She fumbled about on the table.
Here! she said. The word was hoarse.
and spoken with difficulty. The sound
&C her voice made me nervous. What
all idiot l had been not to send her
out!
II unrolled the film and cut through
the punctured lines. Where is the
picture?' said the voice across the
table. I was conscious that she was
peering into the empty kodak case.
"I hope it's here I said, mserably,
my presentiment coming back.
'Where?'
"'On this piece of paper I mechan-
ically laid down the third exposure and
returned the reel to the case.
"The woman came nearer.
Please, sir turn it over!' she said.
"What?' l asked.
"tThe paper
This; do you mean?' I picked up
the scrap Of film
"It isn't there! 1t isn't therer The
woman staggered back into the dark
ness.
.Waitn said. we can't be certain
for few minutes. Don't go. out. The
door mustn't be opened But was
almost glad that she was prepared now
for the worst. I was as certain as il
had seen it that Billy's picture would
be failure.
Mrs. Shall was crying hoarsely in
the corner. What a fool I'd been to say
anything about that snap shot.
poured the developer into dish and
submerged the film. I washed the Ii
| quid back and forth.
Please bring me the light nearer
said presently. Mrs. Shall got up and
set the lamp on the edge of the table.
| held up the film.
""That ones turned dark said the
woman hopelessly | knocked down
the scissors with my elbow. She cSme
round, fumbled on the floor and picked
them up. / had returned the film to
the bath, with sense of infinite thank
fulness and relief Billy's picture was
coming up all right! AS | washed the
stuff back and forth l could see his
whitethorn whip coming out black and
distinct, and above it!
Mrs. Shall had laid down the scis-
sors and was looking over my shoulder.
That ones something like this
house she said drearily.
"'Look here' | cried out, holding the
Gish nearer the lamp. What do you see
there in front?'
"Sha leaned over the table and starad