Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-12-21
6RAlDMO THER RUTH.


1T WAS : dreadful thing that had
BIZ happened. The children moved
about the house with awed faces, even
BABY May seeming to feeivhat 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, md that let them; know how very
hid It 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 30 annously. But out in the hall, at
length, he told her the truth. There
was no hope Ruth would never walk
again.
The mother clasped her hands in si-
lence. Little Ruth, her little daughter,
who had always been SO gay and cheer
1nl, to be doomed to a life of suffering
and hopelessness! It was too hard!
How could the child I've told? And she
would ask, and ask for the truth, too.
st was a dangerous fall" the doctor
said. 1T was q wonder that she was
not Killed. 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"
ssMother!' The voice came from the
nick room, and Mrs. Morris turned
pleading face to the physician.
Keep it from her if you can," he
said, in answer to the look. "But you
know better than which course to
take. Sometimes it 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-
tioning look in Ruth's eyes. II want
TO know, mother, DEAR" she said. 'sYou
must tell me just what the doctor told
YOU
ssAGy brave little daughter, aren't you
content to leave it with me just for
little while? Isn't it better sop
Ruth shook her head. 81 want to
know" she cried, piteously. 81 want
4 to know just what he said.''
.sNever 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 it was years older,
and as she turned her face to the wall
her eyes had look in them that haunt
ed her mother for days. "Will you tell
i the children? Will they understand
what it means? No, I 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
ont much longer, and she sobbed now
until q certain relief came to her.
ssNever to walk again!" She had heard
Of people like that-had read Of them,
and the recollection of it all made her
shudder. She was like that now
would always be like that!
Days passed, and she still remained in
. half dazed state. Nothing interested
her, nothing moved her at all, not even
B when she was lifted from the bed and
put on the couch that had been made
ready Tor her. The children, after their
first awe Of her had left them, came to
her room and talked merrily of their
4 school, companions and amusements,
but these hours were always followed
4 ~ such long periods Of weeping on the
part OF the sufferer that they had to be
stopped, and gravelike quietness
reigned In her room, even when the
younger people were there.
One afternoon Bess, the pretty, oldest
+ daughter Of the house, came running to
Ruth's door. would you mind mend
I ing this glove for me, Ruth?" she
asked. ST wouldn't ask you, but I'm in
I y hurry, and everyone is SO busy" Her
voice showed that she had qualms about
asking the favor, and Ruth fastened to
show her willingness.
sa'Is the needle here? Oh, yes. Run
along, Bess, and It will be ready when
you are
But It had been finished for some time
when her sister claimed it. There was
dreamy look in Ruth's eyes when Bess
thanked her and kissed her good-by
! that made the older girl, even in her
excitement, feel thrill Of pity for the
Il helpless little sufferer she had just left.
But Ruth was not thinking of this.
The envy she usually felt when the 9TH
ers went ont for their pleasant times
had passed away, and she was having a
struggle with herself.
She had not been brave! They had
called her that, but she had been cross
and fretful oil the time since that dread
& ful morning SO long ago. She had made
people uncomfortable by looking un-
4 happy when they were cheerful, and
they had never reproached her for it,
hut forgiven it all because she was suf-
.fering and unhappy. But was it fair
81 &1.o icho s1,n,,1d malta others 11nh INV