The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-11-10

/ Oh iuucn Is before, except Tor the lllllt
/ endearments that Lawrie missed NOR.
than he would acknowledge to himself
''She has John now" he would say
over and over again, blind to the efforl
it cost the sister-mOther 20 let her 1ar
ling he man now
Maud Harrington spoke truly when
she said that she ould not have mar
ried but for the good Of both. Restful
as it was TO lay life's burden down, and
have strong arm and an honest heart
TO lean upon, she would never have
neglected her parents last bequest FOL
her own comfort or pleasure.
Poor little Lawrie was about all they
could leave her, for his crippled condt
ton and her own education had ex-
hausted their small means. For a
number Of years she maintained both,
giving Lawrie all the advantages that
lay in her power; but she feared il
could not last, and felt, too, that Law
rie need other guidance than her own.
Both heart snd judgment sanctioned
the giving of herself and her charge
into John Harrington's keeping; and
ne had not betrayed her trust.
John seemed to understand Lawrie
better, even, than she did. He did not
wound the boys sensitive nature by
allusions TO his misfortune, or fret him
by constant surveillance. He was low
ing brother aud wise father in one, and
when alone with him, Lawrie was con-
tented and happy, but he shrank from
the presence of other men, and Johns
business was such that they were sell
dom alone.
John and Maud both saw the boys
growing unrest and bitterness, as he
came to be no longer a child, nor yet a
man; but they seemed powsrless 10 ar
rest it. New diversions held but a pass
ing charm, and again he was silent and
moody. There were no further out
bursts, but Maud knew that the fetter-
ed spirit was chafing at its bonds, and
the childish face was assuming an ex-
preston that grieved her sorely to see.
Poor I4awrie's attempts at being a man
were pitiful to her, and she lOnged to
cry aloud when the soft brown curls
passed under the barber's shears; but
she stilied the cry, just as she withheld
the arms that often ached to hold him
to her heart, and soothe, and coax, and
pet, his moods away.
"a man now,n she would remind
herself; and ''she has John," he would
say; while, in their blindness, they
were drifting apart.
Remembering her own childish joy.
Maud was very happy, to lay in Law
rie's arms, one day, little bundle:
"Yours to love and care for,D she
said; and Lawrie, elasping the babe in
wondering awe, accepted the charge
The coming of little Rex brought a
new light into Lawrie's eyes, "A new in
terest into his life How tenderIy he
cared for the helpless infant! How
eagerly ne watched the unfolding of
the sweet blossom, the development of
the baby intellect, How rejoieed he
was when two bright eyes could look
knowingly and lovingly into his, and
two small arms began to tighten around
his neekl
Lawrie had never known a baby be-
fore, and to him, there was something
almost supernatural about the cease
less change in this small life. The first
unsteady steps, the first faltering attic
ulatiOns, were wonderful, and es.clI
new day brought fresh achievements.
In, at least, three loyal heares, baby
Rex reigned king, and for no other OF
his subjects did he evince more affec-
ton than for the faithful Lawrie. The
two were almost inseparable, aud Maud
reioiced that, at last, Lawrie had found
diversion that never pIlled- She hoped
and believed that the old bitterness
would die away under the influence Of
this sweet, young life, and that Lawrie
would be content to live his life as il
was; but all too sooh she learned that
the fire was only smOuldering, and as
the boy grew a trifle taller, thinner and
paler, she could bls fear that his wish
might be granted. lie seemed all
right while Rex was awake and claim
ing attention, but sometimes, Shen the
baby slept, she had seen him fondliIg
the sturdy little limbs, or his eyes fixed
upon the perfect form, with the old
discomfort deepening end darkening
there.
Once she had -yentured to remon-
strate only to fan the sparks afiame.
'sSach life as that is worth living, "
he said, vehemently.
"But you were just as good, and
sweet, and dear"
perhaps; but when all is gone out Of
life worth ha7ing, it's better ended. A
man without mission or the posi-
biIity of one, is worse than dead"
Maud did not pursue the useless con-
versation, but only hoped that some
thing yet might come TO show Lawrie
the value of the life he despised.
That something came, though John
Harrington litt:e thought when he was
rendering assistance TO a poor mother
and her sick child on one of the trains
that passed his station, that he was
bringing sorrow TO his own loved
home. A fortnight later, little Rex
lay burning with fever, and uncon-
scious. Those were sad hours and days
for Maud and Lavrie, caring for the
little sufferer, as well as for John, who
could not leave his Office duties to as
sist them. The house was quarantin-
ed until the nature of the disease should
be ascertained, and few there were who
cared to break the quarantine. All day
long, and away into the night, Maud
and Lawrie took turns, watching with