The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-10-21
LOVES SHELTERING way. (
BY MATTY C. NASH.
ANARY wINsLOw hurried a little as

iu she climbed into the ten-thirty
accommodation train from New Ro.
Chelle to New York. The accommo.
dation trains were always crowded;
and she wanted very much to get seat
IN the side of the car from which she
'ould catch a glimpse of her house.
where her babies were. She had al
most missed the train lingering over
;ood-by kisses and baby love-making.
She was doing a very bold thing. For
he first time in the four years of her
married life, she was undertaking some
hing without consulting her husband
rbout it. But it was for his sake--to
ave him from terrible anxiety; and to
10 that she would dare anything.
The tears stood in her eyes at the
bought of his shoulders, already
stopped under their burden of care, and
ais face so crossed with lines that told
IS plainly as did the scantily covered
'rown from which the curly, boyish
rop of brown hair had slipped how
lard had been. and was, his fight up the
iream of fortune.
And his shabby coat and frayed linen!
avid rarely got any new clothes, and
hen he did he went to n cheap tailor
vho did not fit him very well. He was
little man. Mary used TO think if he
dd been II few inches taller he would
ave cared more for dress. But she
as wrong about that. David was very
modest and not wonderfully clever;
1T he knew it would have to be n coat
,s beautiful as Josephs to make him
lore respected ut his Office or more
wed at home. MI beyond those two
'aces was nothing 20 him.
But Mary loved him. She more than
we'd him. She put him on a pedestal
ud crowned him with glory and hon
r. She broke the alabastcr box of her
hole beings alteration at his feet;
nd she would Nave died for him gladly.
Mary was II Large, fair woman, who,
tchly and fashionably dressed, would
ave looked like a duchess. AS it was,
her simple. homemade gowns and
1odest bonnet, she only looked like
cry beautiful mother, which is more
han some duchesses do.
a conventional looking young curate
md handsome, largefeatured man of
20. with deep mourning band on his
nat, sat in the seat directly in front of
Mary. The elder man had his little
laughter, dressed in mourning, on his
Inee, and he and the curate laughed
md chatted with the little girl to
Il muse her.
There is newly made widower,"
hought Mary; "and he doesn't seem to
mind much. I wonder if David would
she had almost said "will") care so
little"
Suddenly the older man turned to the
curate. and Mary saw his face drawn
in an agony Of grief.
Ibid you ever bury anyone yon loved
desperately" he asked.
The curate answered with appropri-
"tc courtesy: "No. | have been very
fortunate. have always thought, how
ever, that the only wise way to face
such grief would be philosophically,
knowing it was Gods will that it
: should come to ALL"
you have never buried anyone you
loved desperately. When you come to
do that you will not be thinking of phi
losophy," said the other.
And then they spoke of other things.
Mary pulled down her vail to hide her
vet checks.
Poor David! He will mind; he will
"ot forget right away" she thought.
y haIf-hour later, Mary stood in
clean, bare little room high up on the
top floor of quiet clearinghouse on
a side street. \ young doctor with
wide-awake. intelligent face was talk
ing to her.
YES, Mrs. Robinson" he said, grave
iy. the operation is imperatve; it is
the only way TO save your life. If it
succeeds, you will become perfectly
strong woman; if it fails, youll be
spared the pain of a lingering death, for
you'll not survive the operation more
than half hour at the most. put the
ease plainly to you. You must know
all the circumstances, all the risks. that
YOU may decide wisely"
II have decided" she answered,
steadily.
Very we'll, | will have the nurses
here in little while, and the other doe
tors will meet me here at u quarter be-
fore two. have spoken to them about
it. | was only waiting for final word
from you to complete all the arrange
He bade Mary Good morning" and
left her alone.
Mary was naturally rather n coward,
about little things. Spiders,
worms and snakes, even very small
)nes, made her almost faint; and she
was afraid to travel alone, or to sleep in
4 room by herself. But her pulse was
very steady now. 1t seemed to her to
'ay: David, David, David" as it beat.
She walked over to the window and
ooked down at the people coming and
yoing in the street. Ii seemed to her
hat she had entirely lost her personal
ty. She had really become this Mrs.
Robinson she had told the doctor and