The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-08-22

shaved fer all my lie. Many's the
night I've walked with you'n my arms
till morpin', Demaris, an never know
cd what it was to git sleepy Or tired.
An now you get mad the minute 90
into q spell"
Demaris stood upright, with tor
tured look.
"Oh, ma " she exclaimed. Her voice
was harsh with pain. 81 amt mad
Don't think I'm mad. can't cry out
o pity every time you have u SPELL or
ia be cryin' all the time. An besides
Tonight Pm so-disappointed."
What you disappointed bout?
"Why. you know. :" Her lips trcm-
bled. 1.-THE excursion"
Mrs. Ferguson opened her eyes.
"Oh, clean forgot that
She looked as il she were thinking
that she would really have postponed
the spell, if she had remembered
"Nevcr you mind" Demaris leaned
her mother. "Don't you think I'm
mad. I'm just disappointed. Now
don't cry. You'll go and make your
sell worse. An there comes pa | hear
him Clcanin' his boots on the scrupcr."
Mr.. Ferguson stumbled as he came
up the steps to the kitchen. He was
very tried. He was more than fifty,
bat his thin frame had pitiablc stoop
The look of ono who has struggled long
aud failed WAS on his brown and wrink
led face. His hair and beard were pre-
maturely gray. His dim blue eyes had
y hopeless expression that was almost
hidden by u deeper one Of patience.
He wore Il coarse flannel shirt. moist
overalls. His boots were wrinklcd and
hard the soil of the fields cIupg to
them.
"Sick ag'in Mis'rab BILE creature that
am I've got that awful pain over my
right eye ag'in. can't think where
it comes from. I'm nearly crazy with
it,"
"Well, I guess you'll feel little
better after you git some tea. Ill go
an wash, an then rub your head while
Demaris gifts Il bit to cat. I've plough
cd ever since sun-up an Pm tired N
hungry"
He returned in u few moments and
took Demaris's place. He sighed
deeply, but silently, as he sat down.
Dcmaris set the table and placed
upon it tho simple meal which she had
prepared.
"i'll stay with ma while you an pa
cut" said Nellie, with IL sudden burst
of unselfishness.
"Well," said Demaris, wcarily.
Mr.. Ferguson sat down at the table
and leaned his head on his hand. " Pm
too tired to eat" he said. "hungry's ]
am" He looked at the attempting
meal of cold boiled meat, baked pot,t-
toes and apple sauce.
" | wish | was dead ~ said Dcmars.
Her father did not speak. His
silence reproached her more than any
words could have done.
When she went into the bedroom
again, she found her mother crying
childishly.
Demaris, did l hear you say you
wished you was deao ?"
- guess so. | said it,"
well, God Almighty knows | wish
| wa3. You don't stop to think what
u'd become O me # it want fer YOU
Your pa c'u'dn't hire anybody, an he's
gittin' too old to set up o. nights after
workin' hard all day. You'd like to
sec all come on your little sister,
reckon ~
Dcmaris thought of those slim, weak
wrists, and shivered. Her mother
commenced to sob-and that aegrava-
ted the pain.
Dcmaris stopped and put her arms
around her and kissed her.
Ill SoFIS Sdlu IL, Slc whispered, ,
81 didn't mean it. Pm just tired and
cross. You know didn't mean it,"
Her father came in heavily.
"Demaris,' he said, " Frank Wick
ers's comm around to the front door.
I'll take kcer o your ma while You go
in and sec him"
1t was a radiant faced Young fellow
that walked into Dcmaris's little par-
lOr. He took her hand with a tender
ness that brought the color beating
into her checks.
What !" he said ''Aint you ready ?
Why, the boat leaves in an hour, an
IT'S II good long walk to the wharf
You'll have to hurry up, Dcmars."
can't 60"
You can't go? Why cant you?"
She lifted up her eyes bravely. Then
tears swellcd into them slowly until
they were full. Not one ieli. She
looked at him through them. He felt
her hand trembling against the palm
OF his own.
" Why can't you, Dcmaris ?"
M mothers sick. Just hear her
mOanin' clear here"
Young Vickers's face was IL study.
Why. she was sick last time |
wanted to take you som 'crs--to dance,
want it?
"1cs-I know"
AN time before that when wanted
you to go a to church sOciable up'n
Spring Town.
Yes"
-" Why, she must be sick near onto
AL the time, accordin' to thnt."
Sho ls-pretty near" She with
drew hcr hand. Thore was u still
looking lounge in ono corner Of the
room. 1t was covered with Brussels
carpet and had an uncomfortable
back, but it was dear to Dcmuris's
heart: She had gathered and sold
strawberries two whole summers to
pay Tor 1t. She sat down on it now
ana laid her hands together on her
knees.
The young man followed and sat
down besido her.
"Why, my DEAR" he said, very
quietly. " You can't stand this sort o
thing. It's wearin' you out. You
never did look light and happy, like
other girls O your ago; an lately
you're gettin' Il real pinched look.
ieel 9 ii 3 was time fer me to inter
icre. He took her hand again.
1T was dim TWILIGHT in the room now