Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-10-29

'NNOee'>s
care for him in this way when he only
kissed me once and never spoke word
that you mightn't have heardl'
Then she began coughing again and
the blood specked the cotton wool that
Mrs. Robson held to her lips When the
paroxysm was over. she lay back speech
less but her eyes were full of ques ton
ing.
AYE, 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 a warning hand.
"Hannah, Hannah" she faltered,
"do lie still Yo're not thinkin that
yo're all the kin l have an that want
yo' to bide wi me as you can, An yo'
mum keep as quiet as little mouse, so
as to be strong when he cooms."
Hannah nodded slightly, her lips
drawing lack for an instant's smile,
which showed brief glimpse of her
white teeth.
"Only one thing I've got to ask,
MOTHER she whispered. "You told
Mr. Fryston that he was to come on
horseback-on the bay-so that l could
hear him first?'
Mrs. Robson leaned over her. "Aye,
aye, told him ALL" she moaned.
"Naa for yo'r mammy's sake, lie yo'
quiet"
II will, nanny dear, if YOU II have
the bed pushed up close to the window
There, I'll be still now
After the bed was moved she lay per-
fectly silent. The evening was gloomy,
but the dancing freight showed face
lighted with the happiness of expecta-
ton. Her mother sat beside her, holding
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 a cruel pain woke at her
heart.
"Im afraid-Im afraid that the
ends very near" he said. lit is just a
leaping up Of the flame, Have every
thing in readiness. He turned away,
for his chin was trembling. 81 can t tell
you how feel for you, Mrs Robson, I"
he added i'll a husky voice. "It is very
hard"
Il suppose that God will gi me
strength to stand it,, she replied wea-
rily. An now, doctor, wi your leave,
I'll go back to her p"
AS she turned to open the chamber
door she heard Mr. Fryston speaking to
one of the women down stairs She de-
scended hastily and drew him into the
parlor, so that none might hear
"Well, she stammered, "where is
hep
Mr.. Fryston shook his head mourn
fully, "Ive no good news, he said.
young Mr.. Amberstone's away in the
south Of France with his mother -
Mrs. Robson clutched the bosom of
her gown so violently that two buttons
flew to the floor.
"Thank yo', Mr.. Fryston, she said
quietly. "Yo've done all man could.
Yo'll pardon me if l go to her-hoo
Gamma aatlast tn night.
Hannah's questioning gaze met hers
as she re-entered the chamber A sharp
cry came from the scarlet lips. "Oh,
mothern'
Mrs. Robson tottered toward the bed
my prettyH' she said. "Yo've to wait.
He's coomin- he's coomin-a-ridin on
tn galloping bay horse
The girl laughed with delight
NANNY, dent leave me till he comes
Put your arms under my neck and your
face against mine Don't cry-Im so
happy
For the next hour the mother prayed
in silence. She had lied for her child S
sake, and she was asking God to accom-
plish miracle. In that hour her faith
was strong enough to move mountains.
AS the clock on the stairs struck s
Hannah began to cough again, this time
with horrid, choking sound Mrs.
Robson, knowing that the end had
come, gathered her to her breast and
held her tightly
The color had left both checks and
lips, her head swayod slightly on the
slender neck, and in the anguish of
those last moments the mother heart
began to beat louder and louder Pad
pad-with just such sound
as horses Loofs make when galloping
over grass.
Louder and louder with every instant.
Old Lizbeth, who sat on the other side
of the bed, rose suddenly, and, drawing
the window curtain, looked out into the
misty moonlight. The gardens were de-
serted-no living thing moved on tho
cart track through the frost bound fields
Pad-pad-pad - pad - louder and
louder
Hannah stirred and laughed gladly
She thrust her arms toward tht door
Hes come-let me go, mammy!" she
cried. LET me meet him in the Or
chardn'
The beating of Mrs. Robson's heart
ceased for awhile.
''Ah, he's here"
Then Hannah turned her face up
ward, as if to receive her boys kiss,
and murmur like wood pigeon $
came-her life passing as this died
away.-London Sketch.
= Soft Mark.
"Dobkins is sort of good thing
isn't hc?''
~ should say so. Why, haldhcu.l.
ed barber sold him two bottles of hin