The Forrest City times., 1899-12-15
GRANDMOTHER RUTH.
By Ida Preston Robinson.

TT WAS a dreadful thing that had
happened. The children moved
about the house with awed faces even
Baby May seeming to feel that this was
not the time to laugh and coo. The ia
ther had gone to his office with grave
face that did not even brighten as he
kissed the little ones good -by--some-
thing that they had never known be-
fore, and that let them know how very
bad il was.
Up in her dainty bedroom Ruth lay
white and still. her eyes opening from
time to time. seeking her mothers face,
which was always close to hers. the firm
white hand holding the smaller one in
hers tenderly. The doctor had said
little. He had gone about his work
quickly and carefully, his face betray-
ing no sign TO the woman who watched
it so anXiously. But out in the hall, at
length, he told her the truth. There
was no hope--Ruth would never walk
again.
The mother clasped he hands in 81
1ence. Little Ruth, her little daughter,
who bad always been so gay and cheer
full. to be doomed to life of suffering
and hopelessress. 1t was too hard.
How could the child be told? And she
would ask, and ask for the truth, too.
at was a dangerous fall" the doctor
said. 1T was a wonder that she was
not kilIed--a miracle almost. AS it is,
she will live for years, an ordinary life
time, perhaps, but not an active one.
There is no hope for that"
Mother" The voice came from the
sick room. and Mrs. Morris turned a
pleading face to the physician.
Keep it from her if you can," he
said ip answer to the look But you
know better than / which course to
take. Sometimes ii is wisest to tell at
once
Mother, dear!" the voice called
again, and Mrs, Morris opened the door,
her heart sinking as she met the ques-
honing look in Ruth's eyes. Il want
TO know, mother, dear" she said. "You
must tell me just what the doctor told
you"
My brave little daughter. aren't you
content TO leave il with me just for
little while? Isn't it better SOP"
Ruth shook her head. 81 want to
know" she cried piteously. Il want
TO know just what he said"
Never walk again!" She echoed the
words after her mother. whose heart
was torn with pity as she watched the
struggle on the pale little face.
THANK you. mother; it's so good to
feel that | can trust you," her voice
came. at length but ii was years older,
and as she turned her face to the wall
her eyes had a look in them that haunt
ed her mother for days. 'Will you tell
the children? Will they understand
what it means? No, | don't want any
thing. thank YOU. nothing at all"
The calm despair in her tones went to
her mothers heart, but she saw that
words were useless and left the room,
which was the wisest thing she could
have done, for the child could not hold
out much longer, and she sobbed now
until a certain relief came to her.
Never to walk again," She had heard
OF people like that-had read of them,
and the recollection of il all made her
shudder. She was like that now
would always be like that!
Days passed, and she still remained in
Q half dazed state. Nothing interested
her, nothing moved her at all, not even
when she was lifted from the bed and
put on the couch that had been made
ready for her. The children, after their
nrst awe of her had left them, came to
her room and talked merrily of their
school, companions and amusements.
nut these hours were always followed
by such long periods of weeping on the
part OF the sufferer that they had to be
stopped, and gravelike quietness
ieighed in her room, even when the
younger people were there.
one afternoon Bess, the pretty, oldest
1aughter of the house, came running to
Au'h 5 door. Would you mind mend