Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1899-12-21
s -
GRANDMA THEIR RUTH.
By Ida Preston Robinson.
IT WAS a dreadful thing that b
49,

WAS 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 fa-
Their 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 it was 5...s
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 her hands in ST
1ence. Little Ruth, her little daughter,
who had always been SO gay and cheer
full. to be doomed tosa life of stuff ering
and hopelessness! It was too hard!
How could the child be told? And she
would ask, and ask for the truth, too.
Tt was dangerous fall" the doctor
said. st was a. wonder that she was
not killed. miracle almost AS tits,
she will live for years, an ordinary life
time, perhaps, but not an active one.
There is no hope for that
sMother!" 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, in answer to the look. tsBut you
know better than I which course to
take. Sometimes it is wisest to tell at
once. ''st
Mother, dear!" the voice called
again, and Mrs. Morris opened the door,
her heart sinking as she met the ques-
tioning looksin Ruth's eyes. ST want
to know, mother, DEAR" she said. ..You
musj tell me just what the doctor told
you"
my brave little daughter, aren't you
content to leave it with me just for a
little while? Isn't it better sop
Ruth shook her head. II want. to
know!" she cried, piteously. 81 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 I 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 a look in them that haunt
ed her mother for days. evil you tell
the children? Will they understand
what it means? No, I don 'twant any
thing, thank you, nothing at all.
The calm despair in her tones wentto
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.
s'Never 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
when she was lifted from the bed and
put on the couch that had been made
ready for her. The children, after their
first awe of her had left them, came to
her room and talked merrily of their
school, companions and amusements,
but 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
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
ing this glove for me, Ruth % she.
asked. IT wouldn't ask you, but I'm in
q hurry, and everyone is so busy" Her
voice showed that she had qualms about
asking the favor, and Ruth fastened to
show her willingness.
.tIs 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 eyes when Bess
thanked her and kissed her good-by
that made the older girl, even in her
excitement, feel a thrill Of pity for the
helplesslittle sufferer she had just left.
But Ruth was not thinking Of this.
The envy she usually felt when the 9TH.
ers went out for their pleasant times
had passed away, and she was having
struggle with herself.
She had not been brave! They had
called her that, but she had been cross
and fretful all the time since that dread-
full morning SO long ago. She had made
people uncomfortable by looking un-5
happy when they were cheerful, and
they had never reproached her for it,
but forgiven it all because she was suf-
fering and unhappy. But was it fair.
that she should make others unhappy
because she was? OF course they al
ways would feel that way, and the best
II