The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-06-23

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may want all your strength for later
on" ~
She sped away, returning in y very
short time with the tea fray, on which
were Il pot CT fresh tea and a covered
plate of hot buns, which had been on
the stove awaiting the mistress return.
These she arranged on little table by
the firesidc and then poured o1t the ten
and held the inviting little cakes that
Mary might take one.
In truth Mary was too tired to refuse
such ministrations. which We're doubly
welcome just then, and Mouncey fairly
stood over her until she had eaten
enough to satisfy her sense of what
was necessary and right. Then she
went down stairs. leaving her mistress
sitting in the big armchair wondering
what the end Of it all would be-
''Pcor mcthcr'' her thoughts ran
Poor, rccr motherl Are you going
this time, and have made the sacrifice
for nothing? No, not for nothing. for l
shall always be able to say, The end of
her life was peace
She rose restlessly from hor chair and
went to the side of the bed where she
stood looking down upon tho drawn,
gray face already so deathlik2 in the
immobility of unconsciousness. 81
wonder what caused her to have an at
tack?" Mary said to herself "She was
SO bright and well this morning. Could
there have been anything in that paper?
Where is it? What did Mouncey do
with it?'
She looked about for it, but without
success, and then she remembered that
possibly it was still in her mothers
hand SO it proved to be, and Mary was
obliged to tear the sheet little in or
der to release it from that viselike grip.
A glance was sufficient to tell the
cause of Mrs, Hamilton's seizure AS
she smoothed the crumpled page her
eye caught the heading of the latest tel
egraphic ws-"Reported loss of the
ocean liner Arikhamaa with over 500
livesl"
Mary Conway was still staring wild
ly at the paper when Mcuncey came in
with the doctor in her wake. "What
is itT" she asked, seeing the horror Oh
her young mistress face.
"Oh, Mouncey-thc paper-the news
my poor motheri' was all that Mary
could say ere exhausted nature gave
way under the strain and she dropped
to the ground as dead to all sound and
feeling as the poor lady stretched upon
the bed.
.:Dear, dear, dear" said tho doctor,
''but this is pretty kettle of fish,
Dear, dear, bad seizure this timel
was afraid it might happen before long.
Ny good girl, is there bad news in that
paper2"
"Lor, sir masters ship-lcss of the
Arikhama with 500 souls. That's mas
ter's ship-he's the captainl Oh, my
poor missis, my poor, poor missisl"
GOOD heavens! Are you sure?''
''See here, sir-oh, it's true enough
Oh, my poor, poor missis!'
."Well, heip ma tn got her off the
floor, In her case it's no more than a
simple faint. Yes, in that chair; undo
her gown-a few drops Of brandy.
There, there, my dear lady, you'll be
all right now"
"What has happened?" ?" asked Mary,
struggling up, but sinking back again as
her head began to swim. "Oh, re-
memberl 1t doesn't matter about ME,
doctor, but my mother-she is very i'll
The shock was too much for her Do at
tend to her, please"
IF you will lie still the maid and
will attend to Mrs. Hamilton. said the
doctor soothingly Little or nothing
to DO done > he murmured to Mouncey,
as they turned to the bed "She is not
likely to live the night out. She must
be got to bed, of course. What strength
have you?"
"Oh, I'm very strong, sir'' replied
Mouncey, in Il matter Of fact tone.
"No. no; / mean how many Of you
are there?'
''Me and cook. sir.
'What is she like?'
Gas strong and sensible young wo.
man MS you could wish to see in days
march, sir, - replied Mouncey prompt
ly, "and'll do anything in the world for
the missis.
That's good. If Mrs. Hamilton lin
gers there must be nurse got in, Of
course but for tonight there will be lit
tie or nothing to do, only che must not
be left I'll help you to get her into
bed. "
we can manage, sir.
1T is not SO easy as you think. Be-
sides, I'd like to see her safely into bed
before 1 leaye."--
ITO BE Continued
n,