Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-10-17


sertin' them now7 the iratc old wom-
an retorted. First, you deserts your
! mother, and then your husband and
children. You just 70 back 10 them ~
needs your care. carried your mother
in my arms before you was born, and
II she wants anybody else now TO look
after her let her just tell me so and
I'll be oil In brace o shakes"
She looked defantly at the yellow.
dried-up creature in the bed. Mcrcy's
withered lips twitched, but no sound
came from them. Jim, strung up by
the situation. took the word. you
can't do no good up here" tho doctor
sayA You might look after the kids
downstairs q bit when you can spare
an hour; and I've got to 60 to the
shop. ri send you . telegraph II
there's change" he whispered to the
daughter; and she, not wholly discon.
tented to return to her living inter.
ests, kissed her mother, fingered
little and then stole quietly away.
All that day the old women r.
manned together In solemn silence,
broken only by the doctors visit. He
reported that Mercy might last =
couple Of days more. In the evening
Jim replaced his sister-in-lsw, who
slept perforce. Atmidnight she awoke
and sent him TO bed. Tho sufferer
tossed about restlessly. At half-past
two she awoke, and Honor fed her with
some broth as she would have fed .
baby. Mercy, indeed, looked scarcely
bigger than an infant, and Honor had
the advantage Of her only by being
pulled ont with clothes A church
clock In the distance struck three,
Then the silence fell deeper The
watcher drowscd. The lamp Aickcred,
tossing her shadow about the walls as
II she, too, were turning feverishly
from side 10 side. A strange ticking
made itself heard In the wainscoting.
Mercy sat up with scream Of terror
"J-im" she shrieked; "Jiml"
Honor started up opened her mouth
to cry "Hushl" then checked herself,
suddenly frozen.
Jim" cried the dying creature,
''listenl Is that the death spider2"
Honor listened, her bl God ourdling.
Then she went towards the door and
opened IT, "Jim.' she said In low tones,
speaking towards the landing; tell
her It's nothin'; It's only mouse, She
was always nervous little thing"
And she closed the door softly, and,
pressing her trembling sister tenderly
back on the pillow, tucked her up
snugly In the blanket
Next morning. when Jim was really
present, the patient begged pathetic
ally to have grandchild with her In
the room, day and night. Don't leave
me alone again" she quavered; don't
leave me alone, with not q soul to talk
TOT" Honor wlnccd. but said nothing.
The youngest child, who did not
have to 60 to school, was brougtt-a
pretty boy with brown curls, which the
sun, streaming through the panes,
turned to gold. The morning passed
slowly About noon Mercy took the
child's hand and smoothed his curls,
MY sister Honor had golden curls
like TINT" she whispered
"rhey were in the family, Bobby"
Honor answerel your granny had
them, too, when she was girl"
There was a long pause. Mercy's
eyes were half-glazed, but her vision
was inward now.
1.-THE mignonette will DO CROWN in |.
the meadows, lobby" she murmured.
"Yes and the hearts-case." said
Honor, softly. "Wc lived in the coun-
try, you know, Bobby
There Is flowers in the country"
Bobby declared, gravely.
"Ycs, and trees" said Honor. ~
wonder II your granny remembers
when we were larrupped for stealin
apples%
"Ay, thai | do, Bobby, he, bel"
croaked the dying creature, with a
burst Of enthusiasm. Ave was pair
o tomboys Tho warmer he ran after
us, cryin' Vel Vel but we wouldn't
take no CUR lie, he hel'
Honor wept at the laughter The
native idiom, nnheard for half q
century, made her lace shine under
The tears. Don't let your granny ex.
cite herself, Bobby. Let me give her
her drink" She moved the boy aside,
and Mcrcys lips automatically opened
TO the draught
tom was WI US, Bobby" she CUR :
gled, still vibrating with amusement,
and he tumbled over on the heather,
he, he!" Is
Tommy Is dead this forty year,
Bobby" whimpered Honor.
Mercy's head fell back and an express =
sion OF supreme exhaustion came over
the face Italian hour passed, Bobby I
was called down to dinner, The doc
Tor had been sent for. Suddenly Mercy 1,
vat up with jerk.
ut be CROWN dark, Tom" she said,
loarselyI "hain't it time to call the .
,attlc home from the ma'shsse'
'she's takin' rubbidge again." said a.
lonor, cho'singly. "1ell her she's in =
Iondon bobby"
A wave Of intelligence traversed the h
allow face Still sitting up, Mercy
'ent towards the side OF the bed. "Ah! ;,
$ Honor still there? Kiss me-Bobbv." :,
Ter hands CROPPED blndly. Honor -
'ept down, and the old women's with. "
red lips met, n
And In that kiss Mercy passed away !,
nto the greater Silence. Outlook. :.
- | =