, 1898-10-15

mu keep as Qu1eG as a llttlo mouse, so
as to he strong when he cooms."
Hannah nodded slightly, her lips
drawing back for an %instant's smile,
which showed a brief glimpse of her
white teeth.
"Only n thing I've got to ask,
mother" she whispered. "You told
Nh. Fryston that he was to come on
horseback-on the bay-so that 1 could
hear him first?"
Mrs. Robson leaned over her. "Aye,
aye, I told him ALL" she moaned.
"Naa, for yo'r mammy's sake, lie yo'
quiet"
II will, nanny dear, if you'll 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 a 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 Z 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.
''i'm afraid-I'm afraid that the
ends very near" he said. at 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
yon how l feel for you, Mrs. Robson"
he added in a husky voice. at is very
hard"
81 suppose that God will gi' me
strength to stand it," she replied wea-
rily. "An now, doctor, wi your leave.
I'll 60 back to her"
AS she turned to open the chamber
door she heard Mr.. Fryston speaking to
Il 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
he?"
Mr.. Fryston shook his head mourn
fully. 1--WE 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
aatlast tn night"
Hannah's questioning gaze met hers
as she re.entered the chamber. a sharp
cry came from the scarlet lips. 'Oh,
mother!"
Mrs. Robson tottered toward the bed.
"My pretty!' she said. "Yo'veto wait.
He's coomin-he's coomin-a.ridin on
tn galloping bay horse"
The girl laughed with delight.
NANNY, don't leave me till he comes.
Put your arms under my neck and your
face against mine. Don't cry-I'm so
happy!'
For the next horr the mother prayed
in silence. She had lied for her child's
sake, and she was asking God to accom-
plish n miracle. In that hour her faith
was strong enough to move mountains.
As the clock on tho stairs struck 8
Hannah began to cough again, this time
with a horrid, choking sound. Mrs.
Robson, knowing that tho end had
come, gathered her to her breast and
held her tightly.
The color had left both cheeks and
lips, her head swayed slightly on the
slender neck, and in the anguish of
those last moments the mothers heart
began to beat louder and louder. Pad
pad-pad-pad-with just such asound
as a horse's hoofs make when galloping
over grass.
Louder and louder with every instant.
Old Lizbeth, who sat OH 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 the
cart track through the frost bound fields.
Pad-pad-pad pad = louder and
louder.
Hannah stirred and laughed gladly
She thrust her arms toward tho door.
"He's come-let me go, mammy!'' she
cried. LET me meet him in the or.
chardy'
The beating Of Mrs. Robson's heart
ceased for awhile.
"Ah, he's herel"
Then Hannah turred her face up.
ward, as il to receive her boys kiss,
and a murmur like a wood pigeons
came-her life passing as this died
away.-London Sketch.