Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-02-12

Win tltle anu bpuCe Lney are 10 Occupy.
- -
"Oh, can't, Bob. It is such an aw-
full thing to do" H1tif9
The catch on the door Of the sick
the door. swung slightly ajar. The nurse
Inside quickly closed II, but not before
plaintive CRY Of Mary" had reached
the two people in the hall
"Well2" he said sententiously
''1'll 20, Bob. 1t will not be Of the
slightest use. but drowning people al
ways clutch at strawa"
That's right, " he exclaimed. sect
on your best clothes. It's little early
for morning call, but the servants Of
people OF the standing Of the Summer
hayes are more easily impressed by good
clothes than they are by anything else.
III have u cab ut the door for you when
you are ready.
Miss Mary Summerhayes sat in the
armchair by the window Of the hall
and wondered why she had allowed her
self to openly rebel against the social
conventionalities SO carefully drilled
into her. She had endeavored to con-
vince herself that she had come simply
for the mothers sake, but somehow
the conviction did not seem perfectly
honest. An attempt to blame it oh her
impulsiveness resulted in an even great
or failure. She grew half angry with
herself, and once she arose from her
chair with the intention of seeking
safety in flight. But she sank back into
the chair. for the reason that urged her
to flight also chained her to the spot.
Then she determined to face 1t bravely
and found great sweetness and content
growing upon her. But even AS it grew
fear replaced 1t, and all life seemed to
go out of her body. for she remembered
that his mother had said that he was
dying.
When Mrs. Thomas came out of the
sickroom. she found the girl weeping.
She sat down on the arm Of the chair
aud drew her toward her and comforted
her.
II am afraid you ARE somewhat up
set, she said. II am almost sorry
asked you to come. II Ia no good Of you. =
The girl dried away tho tears from
her eyes
~ am u little hysterical. think"
she said. But am glad am here IL
can do anything to help you. DO you
want me to go III now9"
do you feel strong enoughp"
''Oh. yes; AM all right now. 1t was
only momentary weakness. IL he still
delirious2'
Just the same.
tsfrhava Ia M f,pa alma tl.araopt
''No. sent the nurse away for lit
tie sleep"
"You will come In with me. she
said as she opened the door.
The room was darkened, and the
young girl stood in the doorway for an
instant. accustoming her eyes to tho
dim light
MARY, Maryi" called tho sick man
nv she stood there. and tho mother,
with her hand on this young girls
shoulder felt shudder run through her
body She led her to the bed, beside
which chair stood. Miss Summerhayes
sat down and gazed ut the pale face ly-
ing ON the pillow. She placed one hand
on the hot, fevered forehead and with
the other took one Of his.
Mary has come. }" she said Ia q low
voice, stroking his forehead and brush
ing back his hair.
After few minutes the patient gave
little gasp Of relief. She sat there for
ten minutes longer. and only once did
he again Org out Mary aud then the
cry had changed from one Of entreaty
to content. In few minutes his breath
ing showed that he was asleep, and the
girl, bending over him, kissed him
lightly on the forehead disengaged her
hand from his and arose from her chair.
Take mo away" she entreated M
she fell into his mothers arms
A week later Mary Summerhayes told
her mother Of her early visit to the
house in tho square. There were tears
IN her eyes.
ut does not matter now, mother. He
Ia dead. Dead, and he never knew how
much loved him. He was conscious
just before he died, and he whispered to
his mother. tell her, mother. IL you
SEQ her, that loved her He died soon
afterward saw his death in the news
papers---you remember the evening the
Fergusons were here and had that So
we're headache. IL was heartaohe. and
did not come down. The next day
went to see his mother, and she told me
how he died. and we cried together over
It,"
but, Mary, you surely did not love
tho poor fellow Why. you had scarcely
seen him beforep'
~ feel that l shall never be able TO
love any one else in the same way,
mother"
But Mr. Roanoke, Mary. You will
never have another chance to marry NO
advantaReously. "
II like Mr.. Roanoke very well--as a
friend. | respect him too much to mar
ny him. Then, you know, he has . ter
rible prejudice against widows" she
continued with light touch Of her
usual lively manner, and, in lapsing
again into intense seriousness. II am Il
widow, though maid. ''--Exchange.