The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-02-14

Llit GIltII 10. L Oillllh L II SO ClCdh Out
of my mind if 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 Billy looks. / can't go to
sleep o nights for tryin' to make a pic
ture of him in my mind, an it's gettin'
harder an harder. He's only been gene
twelve days, an last night l 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
he-the-whatever it is
''She left the foot of the bed and
came to the side. | looked at the poor
face, and didn't hesitate long. Get me
some paper and a pencil, said
Shall was dispatched with the 'tele-
graph and the next afternoon pack
ct came from the Eastman company.
My foot was very painful. Mrs.
Shall begged me not to stand on it.
" III get you everything you want
she said.
"'Well, where is the kodak?' /
looked about as l undid Eastman's
package.
"'Oh, it's in my room she said,
looking little guilty; and she hurried
out.
Il asked her if she had lamp with
red shade? Yes, sir, she said, a
started for the door. -
And bring in couple of shallow
dishes, pudding or vegetable dishes,
said, and pair of scissors
Il examined the kodak, but couldn't
detect anything amiss. Still, | was
full of foreboding. The presentiment
that something had happened to the
particular picture | wanted became al
most a conviction.
AT my direction the wooden shut
ters were closed, and pair of blankets
and an eiderdown quilt were put over
the window. The small, red-shaded
lamp gave out a dim glow. On the
table at my side We're the dishes and
the bath of a developer.
Nov you can go, Mrs. Shall 1
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. l can't go away an waltz
She began to sob.
II wished to the Lord was out of it.
But thought if the picture turns out
right, after all Well, l 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.
~ think it's the third on this reel,
l said. Give me the scissors
She fumbled about on the table.
Here she said. The word was hoarse,
and spoken with difficulty. The sound
of her voice made me nervous. What
an idiot ! 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.
l was conscious that she was peering
into the empty kodak case.
/ hope it's here, l said, miserably,
I my presentiment coming back e.
'Where?'
Ion this piece of paper l me-
chanically laid down the third ex-
posture and returned the reel to the
case
The woman came nearer.
Please, sir, turn it overt she said
"'What?' | asked.
The paper
"'This, do you mean?' picked up
! the scrap of film.
1T isn't there! 1t isn't therer'
The woman staggered back into the
darkness.
| watt said. we can't be certain
for a few minutes. Don't go out. The
door mustn't be opened But / was
almost glad that she was prepared now
for the worst. | was as certain as if
had Seen it that Billy's picture would
be failure.
Mrs. Shall was crying hoarsely in
the corner. What fool I'd been to say
anything about that snapshot |
poured the developer into a dish and
submerged the film. l washed the
| liquid back and forth.
please bring 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 came
round, fumbled on the floor, and picked
them up. | had returned the film to
| the bath, with a sense of infinite
thankfulness and relief Billys pic
ture was coming up all right! AS
washed the stuff back and forth | 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 shoul
| der
THAT ones something like this
house, she said, drearily.
Look hereH | cried out, holding
the dish nearer the lamp. What dc
you see there in front?'
"She leaned over the table and stared
into the dish.
Yes, | see fence, an shrubbery
an gate, an wide collar an face
an'-oh, Lord! it's my Billy swingin
on the gate!"
Thompson broke off at this point in
his story, and began to walk up anc
down the room.
They send me a hamper full 0.
flowers every wear on the anniversary