Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-19

NlIu VI tllt
IN path that led from
S-l the gate looked
49, sombre and melan-
choly. A gnarled
apple tree tapped playfully at the
closed shutters of one of the upper
rooms, and even went so far, under
extreme provocation from the wind
as to poke some of its blossOm-laden
twigs between the ramshackle Stats.
DR.. Eaton, who walked up the
straigls path through the sunshine
could not restrain sigh of pleasure
at the beauty of the scene. Young and
strong and healthy, life 10 him was
good and delightful though at that
very moment he might be hurryinG in
to the presence of death.
y pale young woman opened the
door in response to his knock, and
without any form of greeting ushcred
him into the chilly hall and went be.
fore him up the stairs to the 2oor
above.
He is very ill. my poor little boy"
she said as she opened the door of a
bedchamber. Very, very ill, fear"
The doctor stepped into the room.
He stopped for an instant until he
could accustom himself to the general
dimness. The woman caught his arm.
Here she whispered and drew
him toward the bed.
The young man took the childs tiny
wrist between his fingers. Then he
leaned over and laid his ear against
the child's heart
You think" she asked breath
lessly
Il think" he replied, looking at her
pitifully, that your little boy
"Doctorr'
''But we will do what we can"
Then he issued some hasty directions
and the Two began to work silently
over the little creature, who lay mo-
tionless and impassive under their
hands. After an hour the doctor
ceased.
Mrs. Grafton, you must send for
your husband"
HE is no better?" she asked, look
of agony creeping into her great dark
eyes.
NO better" he answered. "But he
does not suffer. Take comfort from
that"
She covered her face with her hands
for an instant, and then said in Il dull,
quiet tone:
81 am a stranger in Ellisvlle, and
have no friend or acquaintance here.
When Mr.. Grafton went away this
morning the baby did not seem so
very ill, but he said he would ask you
to call. have no one to send for him
now"
"Where is he?" asked the doctor.
"He has an Office ON Front street.
He is trying to establish an insurance
agency here"
II will go for him." said the doctor,
and turned away.
Late that afternoon the tiny spark
of life that flickered in the childs
breast went out. Afterward there
were weeks of illness in the old stone
house, and when the garden had dis
carded its blossoms and become p very
Oower of green Marion Grafton, a
Shadowy creature with the saddest of
dark eyes, walked down the straight
path beside her husband, and the gate
of the old garden closed upon them
forever.
Years sped away The doctor, who
had never married, still lived on the
same street and his housekeeper was
fretting and fumng, partly because
there was Il lady waiting to see him,
and partly-and more particularly
because his dinner was growing crisp
and dry in the oven. She went to the
front door and peeped in at the deli
cate looking little woman who had sat
patiently waiting for the .lst half hour
The doctors late" she said, but
p'raps you don't mind waitin'. How
far did you say you'd Gomez
'From Grimby," replied the woman.
"Did you say DR.. Eaton was quite Il
middle-aged man." she added anx-
iously.
Il didn't say, ma'am. but l s'pose
you'd call him so in pint of age. All,
here he is now"
From the window the lady could sec
doctors gig draw up at the curb and
n tall, dark man with grizzled beard
descend from it.
The doctor entered and looked in
Quiringly at Lis visitor with keen
kindly eyes. Sine rose and said little
uncertainty:
Il am afraid have made a mis-
take, and that you are not the doctor
I'm looking for"
Somehow the face and manner of tn,
woman brought to DR.. Eaton's minC
Rn elusive memory of May mornin,