The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-08-26

49, '''' ~ ~ tlB ' ll' e
ment, was oppressive and uncanny, but
never had she recited as she did that
day.
The great amphitheatcr with its bril-
liant, frenzied populace, the rush and
trample of the horses, the breathless
hush, the crash OF the wild chariots.
the triumph Of the matchlcss Arabs
and their wonderful driver, swayed and
surged and beat through the room like
a mighty wind.
The two women sat with open
mouths and staring eyes.
The man had come inside the door
and stood erect, clenching his hands in
his excitement.
THAT was a race as was a race" he
said, in a loud, resonant voice, forget
full for an instant of everything but the
story.
Then they looked toward the bed.
The sick woman was sitting up.
OH" she cried, with a note of long
drawn ecstasy, then fell back ex-
hausted,
shes dead." cried Rena, in a culver
of fear.
There was a horror-stricken instant.
Then she reused and spoke almost
strongly, %grasping conyu!sively the
girls warm. dimpled hand in her cold,
wasted fingers.
Maybe I'll live till tomorrow, If
you'll promise to come again"
I'll surely come" Rena said, softly,
then slipped out.
She was full of her odd experience,
but she told it at the dinner table that
eveningwith a touch ofhesitancy. Some
how she did not feel like having much
said about it.
DIR. Randolph was there, too, and she
wondered anNiously what he would
think. Somehow, the recitation of a
thing like that TO a dying woman sud
denly seemed rude and ill-timed. Her
cheeks burned.
The doctor looked at her thought
fully.
Possibly you can cure her, Miss
he said. Sometimes in a low
fever the patient gets apathetic and in
different, and slips away from sheer
of energy. Maybe you can reverse
the idea somewhat, and, as a second
Schehernzde, chain the poor woman to
life by your eloquence,"
He looked up and caught the deep
flush on Repa's face. =
Il beg your pardon, Miss Rena, ! am
not entirely joking. do not know the
ease, but that result is not impossible.
How about tomorrow, though? Had
you forgotten the golf match? | be-
lieve the party is to start at seven and
by moon rise"
Rena caught her breath.
Il had forgotten" she answered.
She sat silent, hardly touching her
dessert. The party going out next
morning were just the people she liked.
The eXhilarating spin over the perfect
roads in the lovely, fragrant June morn
.ng; the informal dinner at the charm
.ng clubhouse; the moonlight return
and DR.. Randolph. 1t was so seldom he
spared time for an outing.
at would be absurd to give up such A
ovely day just for the mere possibility
IF benefit to the woman Why, the doc
or half made fun of it himself"
Then her promise flashed to her mind.
II don't seem to be doing much of
else lately but forget; that
it, though" she thought.
;traightening up energetically; "of
curse l can't go"
People think rapidly. and Rena, look
up at the end of her cogitations, no.
iced they were all silent, as though
Waiting for her to go IN.
II really did forget about the Downs.
md promised her to come back, so of
curse | cant 60" she said, decidedly.
But | wish you wouldn't mention il to
.nyone, because | don't do It for good
Tess, you know, but simply because |
Promised"
The next morning she gathered a
-reat handful of dewy pink and white
oses before she went to the little white
ousc, wondering as she did il, whether
hey might not be for the dead rather
han the living,
John Hathaway met her at the door.
''She is waiting fer you" he said.
The sick woman was alone: her eyes
,ere open, and she was watching the
DOR intently.
She's come" she announced, trium-
as though she had come off
in a doubtful case. And see the
eautiful roses"
''Ycs, and you shall have them where
can enjoy them" replied Rena,
catering the fragrant mass over the
nowy bed and its occupant. i;
Mrs. Hathaway gave a~little gasp. The
1scs were dreadfully dewy. but they
i'll smell good. Still, it was mo- roses |,
he wanted. /
Rena answered the unspoken wistful-
css OF her face. |,
Now. what do You want me to re-
she asked.
Il wish you'd say something. real
lnny. ] haven't Heard anything funnyI
/ SO long" Mrs. Hathaway answered,
nploringly. !
Whatever can l recite that's 'renl
Inny|" thought Rena, in dire perl j.
Everything funny is so mixed
p with the pathetic. ! might tell them
low Katie Entertained Her Sisters !
It's pretty rear as bad as Curl
wv Shall Not Ring but / believe they
Ill like it." So she told the absurd lit I
story Of Katic's exploits. '
John Hathaway roa ia with delight. /,
"The cute little ratl- be cried, adj u
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