Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-02-07
Continued.

She went LII ttuu Oul VI hci HiothNt y
room in a vague search after duty,
but she never touched even her bed;
she was afraid OF the awful shadowy
thing. and more afraid still OF her
mothers eyes following her hungrily.
No softening grew in her eyes, no love
only fear
And so the days wore on and the
hush fell closer round the house, and
crept into the hearts Of those that
dwelt there.
Yet there seemed small cause for 1t
all; the doctors saw no tangible reason
for alarm, and yet they were uneasy
and came frequently.
1t was the eighth day OF the Illness
just as twilight was falling.
Mrs. Waring had had her bed moved
near the window THAI commanded the
Park, and she was looking wistfully
out ON the south terrace watching
Gwen walking up and down.
Gwen In obedience to her promise
to take care OF herself, always chose
this particular walk, bathing herself
draughts OF the sweet clear air that
came across q healthy hill In the dis
lance, and trying 10 gather up shreds
of happy thought to feed her loneliness
with, and 10 soothe the vague aching
that seemed TO have made Its home
In her.
MARY" said Mrs. Warning suddenly
her husband had been literally drag
ged ont for drive by the old doctor
will you call Gwen, but first give mr.
that tonic | feel as il ! would slip
away In spite OF myself, and I know"
she murmured softly 70 herself, there
Is something / ought 70 say.Are her
eyes still scaled as she walks there
communing with her own sad hearth
she thought as she looked out at Gwen.
''Will love never touch her--neyer?
VIII the child's life open the gate or
must II be the death of that little
child?"
She shiyered down into the bed
clothes, and shut her eyes.
"Maam, dear heart dr'nk this =
H
a great leap of her heart 4 he saw
death on the white face. drink 1t.
my dearis," she repeated returning un-
consciously to the old term of thirty
nine years ago, and kissing the little
burrows between the brows. You are
very young, dearie." she said, softly
stnoklng her hair, mot fit to be n
grandmothcrt'
A soft pink flush crept into her
cheeks. ''Will you please call Gwcn?'
she murmured.
When Gwen came In. her mothers
eyes were closed and her face like
marble.
The girl shivered and half turned; a
horrible inclination TO fly took hold
of her, hut she drove back her cow
ardice aud came swiftly up TO the
bed, ole OF her full sleeves touched
1t. and she drew il away.
Her mothers eyes opened just In
time TO see her little action, she shiv-
cred, and Gwen's heart began to ache
In a new spot.
thought, at is so terrible to hurt her,
30 pftiless, and underlined"
She stopped over her, tress of
hair escaped from her coil and fell on
Mrs Warnings cheek. Neither OF them
touched It for minute,
The mother felt sudden longing to
rutlle 1t softly rs she had once done
Do village bahys, and to feel the
soft sickness slip through her fingers,
but shc restrained herself and only
breathed little quicker.
"You want me, MOTHER" said Gwen
gently, lifting mp her herd and fastenr
Ing up her hair.
Yes, want you dear"
She closed her eyes and rested Gwen
moved uneaSlly, the stiffness oppressed
her and some change in the sick
woman's face made her heart feel
tight. Presently Mrs Waring drew q
long breath and threw of some Of the
clothes feebly
"rney are SO heavy she said, Mary
lifted her higher on the pillows Yes.
that's better thank you, and now,
Mary, 50 and rest, Ny daughter will
stay with me"
GWcn heard the resohte maSterful
use 81 the word In absolute terror. she
had 4 coercel, trapped feeling, and
for a minute 1 passionate reyCf shook
her. What was she 10 10, 60 shy.
She felt us e she were caught IN a
mesh 81 bleeding auivering nerves.
she found herself drawing her breath
almost imperceptiby, for fear Of
touching raw surfaces.
what is it, mother?" she cried out
There was tone Of appeal In her
yoice born " her terror This
strengthened her mother; she felt older
than her child aAd with 4 power T.
protect her TIC ghost of i smile
moved her mouth aud licker-d IN her
eyes