Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-11-16

KISSED me once auu never spoke Il WOrQ
that you mightn't have heard!'
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 question
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'
nun keep as quiet as a little mouse, SO
as to be 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 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, 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-
tion. 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. lit is just a
leaping up of the fame. Have every
thing in readiness" He turned away,
for his chin was trembling. 81 can't tell
you how I feel for you, Mrs. Robson, .
he added in u husky voice. sit is very
hard"
II suppose that God will gi' me
strength to stand it," she replied wea-
rily. "An now, doctor, VII your 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 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. "I've 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 I go to her-hoc
anna 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've to wait.
He's coomin-he's coomin-a-ridin OIL
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 sc
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 a miracle. In that hour her faith
was strong enough to owe mountains.
As the clock on the stairs struck
Hannah began to cough again, this time
with a 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 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 sound
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 the door.
"He's come--let me 60, mammy!' she
cried. "Let me meet him in the or
chardr'
The beating of Mrs. Robson's hear
ceased for awhile.
"Ah, he's here!"
Then Hannah turned her face up
ward, as if to receive her boys kiss
and a murmur like a wood pigeons
came-her life passing as this dice
away. london Sketch.
Fine Behavior of the Rough Riders.