The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-27
The GaIIoping Horse,

| The curate sat in old Mr.. Robson,
chintz-covered armchair, holding nov
and then as the mistress of the farm
paused in her outburst OF excited speech
He had to come up by the widows request
for her daughter was dying, and she wa:
too proud to speak Of her wild trouble L
kinsfolk who had never viewed her witt
any courtesy since her marriage TO
man aged enough TO have been her faith
| err
She was slightly incoherent in her re
quest for advice, but the curate though
ne understood
Really, Mrs. Robson he said gently
at last. Ill il a most painful case. Yes
thank you. another cup of tea-thret
humps, yes; l have sweet tooth. o.
course. 1 think that you should have con
suited me before, when Hannah was IN
better health, and then 1 could have ad-
monished her. Now we can only pray"
Mrs. Robson's face had grown cold and
hard; heavy preparation shone on mel
forehead.
Il dina mean that she said, when J
sent for yo'. thowt that yo' would IN
| derstand. IT'S O. Squire Amberstones son
as 1 wished to ask. My wench Is dyia
All as / beg is as he may COON again. rid
in on his bay, an gle her kind word .
She softened suddenly. "Oh. Mr.. Fryston,
for the love O. God do this thing for me!
Twas bu' boy an girl playin' at love
theer was no thowt @ Ill. My dowter
as pure an good as a chrison child, bu'
what WI him was just laugh and a
| Jest wf' tn prettiest girl on tn country
| side. VII her meant observation-disclosures!
I've no blame for him. bu' he's broken her
| heart clear l. twain. An only today has
| hoo told me all what hoo's suffered.
|
She clasped her hand and wrung them
painfully, so that she might not burst into
| hysterical laughter. Mr.. Fryston," she
| said hoarsely, I'm a clean-minded wom-
| an, an Hannah scarce II. l thowt nothin'
of t. He was wisest o. US all, for he
must ha' seen danger. an he stayed away,
an three months has killed her"
| II can do nothing-nothing, began the
curate.
LAY, bu' yo' can" she walled; ''yo' know
what love is. Fetch him TO her for O.
goodby. Hoo Gamma pass i peace WHAT
him. Hoo's my only one-my only one!"
The curate was touched at last; he
rubbed the corner of his more susceptible
eye furtively. TN go to Paulton and
bring him back if 1 cam he said, TO
| morrow.
lis no use saying tomorrow she in
terrupted impatiently
The sound of knocking on the floor above
stopped her. "Hannah's walked" she
said. "Theer's ovid Lizbeth beating the
planks wi stick. I nun leave yo', Mr.
Fryston. 1 know as yo' wunna fail me-
She did not wait for his reply, but hur-
ried upstairs to the chamber, where Han
nah lay in a little bed afront the hearth.
The mother had been pretty in her youth
indeed, she was not uncomely even now
h. rxynv7 dow fI1tly nit a-
ously beautiful. Her face was pure white,
save for the daintiest flush IN the cheeks;
her lips were scarlet-hued and finely cut,
her great brown eyes luminous.
us he coming?" she said. "Oh, mother,
to think of 1t, That 1 should care for him
in this way when he only kissed me once.
and never spoke a word that you
mighth's have heard!"
Then she began coughing again, and the
blood speckled the cottonwood that Mrs.
Robson held to her lips When the par
oxsm was over she lay back speeches.,
but her eyes were full of questioning.
"Ah, my deary," said the mother. "Mr.
Fryston's gone for him, an he'll be here
anon"
The girl tried to speak again, but the
mother held up warning hand.
Hannah, Hannah" she faltered. "do lie
still. Yo're not thinkin' that yo're all the
kin 1 have, an that want yo' to bide wi
me as long as yo' can. An yo' nun keep
as quiet as a little mouse, so as to he
strong when he cooms."
Hannah nodded slightly, her lips draw
ing back for an instant's smile, which
showed brief glimpse of her white teeth.
only one thing I've got to ask, moth
err" she whispered. You told Mr.. Fry
ston that he was to come on horseback
on the bay-so that I could hear him
frst?"
Mrs Robson leaned over her. GAY, ay,
told him ALL" she moaned. 'Naa, i3r
yo'r mammy's sake, lie yo' quiet"
81 will, nanny dear, If you'll have the
bed pushed up close to the window. l
want to know before anybody else. There,
I'll be still now
After the bed was moved she lay per-
feotly silent The silent. The evening was
gloomy, but the dancing freight showed a
face lighted with the happiness of eXpec- |
tation. Her mother sat beside her, hold /
ing her right hand between her own
palms. The old doctor came at o'clock. |
When he desired Mrs. Robson to come to |
the passage with him. she OWNED his |
meaning, and cruel pain woke at her
heart.
I'm afraid-Im afraid that the ends |
weary near" he said. 1T is just a leaping /
up of the flame. Have everything in /
readiness" He turned away, for his chin
was trembling.
Il suppose that God will gi' me strength +.
to stand It." she replied YEARLY. An
now, doctor, wi yo'r leave, I'll go back
to her."
AS she turned to open the chamber door
she heard Mr.. Fryston speaking to one of
the women downstairs. She descended
hastily and drew him into the parlor, so
that none might hear.
We'll" she stammered, where is heP''
Mr.. Fryston shook his head mournful.y.
1--WE no good news" he said. Young Mr..
away in the south of France
with his mother"
Mrs. Robson clutcher the bosom Of her
gown so violently that two buttons few
TO the floor.
Thank yo'. Mr.. Fryston.' she said
quietly; "yo've done all man could Yoll
pardon me il I go to her-hoo Gamma aat-
las tn night"
Hannah's questioning gaze met hers as
she re-entered the chamber; sharp cry
came from the scarlet lips. 'Oh. motherl"
Mrs Robson tottered toward the be !.
My pretty" she said; ''yo've to wait
He's committees coomin'-a-ridin' on
tn galloping bay horse"
The girl laughed with delight. MAN
my. don't leave me till he comes; put y7Ir
arm under my neck. and your face asainst
mine. Don't cry-Im so happy!'
AS the clock on the stairs s'rack g.
Hannah began to cough again. this tine
with horrid choking souud. Mrs R3b-
son, knowing that the end hal come.
her m her breast and held her