Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-15

would send 1t. But have everything
at home, and when get back
"'Oh, if you please sir, don't wait
Shall will take telegram if you'll
write it. II you'll think mo very
strange, but she leaned over the
foot of the bed and lowered her voice
the truth is, think I'll go clear ont of
my mind if go like this. It's all about
Billy, sir. You won't speak about il to
Shall, but seem to be forgetting how
Billy looks. | can't go to sleep O nights
for tryin' to make picture of him in
my mind, and it's gettin' harder an
harder. He's only been gone twelve days,
last night | couldn't seem TO remember
anything but his hair You sec. must
be goin' out Of my mind. But il | had
q picture. Oh. sir, let Shall take Il tele-
graph an get the-the-w tcver It is
She left the foot Of the bed and
came to the side | looked up ut 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 a packet
came from the Eastman Company.
My foot was very painful. Mrs.
Shall begged me not to stand oD it,
LII get you everything you want
she said.
We'll, where is the kodak looked
about as undid Eastman's package.
oh. it's in my ROOM she said. look
inc little guilty: and she hurried out.
~ hope it hasn't been tempered
with observed, when s1e came back
again.
No. indeed she said: but she Hush
ell under my glance. It's only been
scttin' on my chest of drawers, where
l could see it plain
But | mistrusted her. I dare say l
showed it. too. for she hcsitatcd an in
slant, and said, slowly, in Il laundering
kind of way: You can't think. sir.
what comfort it was for ne to lie
and look at it, | KEEP thinking my
Billy's in there. Maybe he's looking
out now, through that little rOunI win
der. Shall said no, and told me how
it was; but. anyhow, it don't ma tier so
much now if do get mazed and can
remember pictures safe in that lit
tie box. Seems queer too. I've had
such 4 lot of pictures of Billy IN my
head. an l can't keep one clear; an
that little eye in the box never forgcts
him never forgets him-like his own
mother does Thompson cleared his
throat.
Il asked her if she had lamp with
RED shade. Yes, sir she said, and
started for the door.
And bring in Il couple of shallow
dishes. pudding or vegetable Dishes
said, and a 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 par
ticular picture | wanted became almost
a conviction.
AT my direction the wooden shutters
were closed and Il pair of blankets and
an eiderdown quilt were put over the
window. The small rcd-shaded lamp
gave out 4 dim glow. On table by
ms side were the dishes and the bath
of developer.
"'Now. you can go, Mrs. Shall said
III call you when I'm ready
eco, SIR
"'Ycs. l won't be very long
"'Oh, You mustn't send me away,
sir she said. Let me stay an I'll help
you. 1 can't go away an wait? She
began to sob.
Il wished to the Lord was out of It.
But l thought. III the picture turns out
right, after allr Well, began to feel
more hopeful.
"The light was put behind the bed.
and / opened the kodak. and took out
the roll of film.
"'Wherc is it? said the woman in a
whisper pcerins forward in the dark
al think it's the third on this reel,
/ sad Give me the scissors
She fumbled about on the table.
Here" she said. The word was hoarsc.
and spoken with difficulty. The sound
Of her voice made me nervous. What
an idiot had been not to send her out
Il unrolled the film and cut through
the punctured lines. where is the pic
| tureT said the voice across the table.
| was conscious she was peering into
| the empty kodak case.
81 hope it's there said, miserably,
my presentiment coming back.
Where?
ION this piece Of paper mechan-
ically laid down the third exposure and
returned the reel to the case.
''The woman came nearer.
"'Please, sir, turn it over she said.
"'What?' l asked,
""The paper
"'This, do you mean? 1 picked up
| the scrap Of film.
at isn't there! 1t isn't there" The
woman staggered back in the darkness.
| "'Wait,' said. we can't be certain
| for a few minutes. Don't go out. The
door mustn't be opened But was al
most glad that she was prepared now
for the worst. | was as certain as if |
hod coon II that RilIv'S Dictura yvouId