The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-08-22
The Flower that Grew in Sand

Demaris opened the gate and walked
up the narrow path. There was Il low
hodge OF pink and purple candytuft on
each side. Inside the hedges were
little beds of homely flowers in the
shapes of hearts, diamonds and NAL
tese crosses.
Mrs. Eaton was STOPPING over q rose
bush, but she arose when she heard the
click of the gate. She stood looking at
Demaris with her arms hanging stitlly
at her sides.
"Oh," she said, with Il grim smile,
"you is't"
"Yes," said the girl, blushing AMI
looking embarrassed. "Ain't it a nice
evenin'?"
."Come for kindin' wood ,"
mo" She laughed Il little at the
wOrnout joke. ''l come to see if You
had two OF three pink roses to spare"
Why, to be surc-a dozen if you
want. Just come an help yourself.
My hands ain't tit to tech 'em after dig
gin So"
She stood watching the girl while
she carefully selected some half-opcn
roses. There was Il look of yood-n ma
tured curiosity on her face.
"Anythin' goin On at the church to-
night" -,
mo. m nave to tell you" She
lifted glad, shy face. Pm goin' on
the moonlight eXcursion.'
"Oh, now Sure? We'll, I'm real
glad"
"So'm |. never wanted to go any
where so much in my life. I've been
most holCin' my breath for fear mad
get sick"
How is your ma
"Well, she amt very we'll {: she new
or Is, you know"
What ails her."
don't know" said Demaris slowly.
"We'll get home by midnight. So +
she has spell come on, pa can set up
with her till get home, and then can
&ill mOrnin'."
"Sh'u'd think you'd be all worn out,
sittin' up two or three nights week
that way"
Demaris sighed The radiance had
gone out Of her face and q look OF care
was upon it.
WELL" sho said, after moment,
"l'll have good time tonight any
how. We'ro going to have the band
along. They're gettin' so that they
play real well. They play Annie L.au-
rie' an Rocked in the Cradle Of the
Deep now"
The gate clicked. a child came run
ming up the path.
".Oh,, sister, sister Come home
quick !"
What for?" said Demaris. There
was Il look Of dread on her face.
Mas goin' right into spell. She
wants you quick. She thinks she's took
worse n usual"
Demaris hurried homo. The child
ran at her side. Once she took her
hand and gave her an upward look of
sympathy.
She passed through the kitchen, Law
ing her roses on the table. Then she
went into her mothers room.
: Mrs Ferguson lay on u couch. A
white cloth was banded around her
head, coming down we'll over one eye.
She was moaning bitterly.
Demaris looked ut her without
speaking.
Who're on earth you bon" She
gave the girl look of licrce roproach.
"A body might die fer all the help
you'd be to 'em. Hero I've ben feel
in spell a-comin'on all day, an yet
you go a-gaddin' around to the neigh
bors, leavin' mo to git along tho best
way know how. | believe this is my
last spell. lve got that awful pain
over my right eye ag'n till Pm nearly
Demar,s was silent. When one has
heard the cry OF wolf hundred times
one is incredulous. Her apathetic look
angered her mother.
What makes you stand there IL
starin' like u Ounce? Can't you help a.
body? Get the camfire bottle an the
tinctur' lobola an the box O. goose
grcese You knows 3 we'll 3 mo what
| need when git IL spell. I'm 50 ncrv-
GUS | feel 3 If c'u'd fly! got har-
rable feelin' that this'll be my last
spell--an' yet you stand there a-starin'
i . II you didn't care Il partkle !"
Demaris placed q chair at the side
OF the couch to hold the bottle. ooh,
take that old split bottom cheer away
exclaimed her mother. " Everything
kitchen-the one that's got chcrris
painted on the back of It. What makes
you act SO? You know what chcer
want. You'd tantalize the soul of q
saint"
The chair was brought. The bottles
were placed upon it. Demaris stood
waiting.
Now rub my head with tho cam
fire, OF lll go ravin' crazcy | can't
think wher't comes from !"
The child stood twitching he. thin
fingers around chair. She watched
her mother In q matter-Of-course way.
Demaris leaned over the couch in an
uncomfortable pOsition and commenced
the slow, gentle message that must
continue oil night. She did not lift
hor eyes. They were full of tears.
For long time there was silence In
the room. Mrs. Ferguson lay with
closed eyes. Her face wore look of
mingled injury ann reproach.
"Oh," said Mrs. Ferguson, "what q
h wretched creature am Just q suf