The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04

silence with which she had wrapped her
self about Then all was still. and she
| heard her own hearts beating. When at
/ last she mustered courage to look up. Miss
| Sophia was sleeping soundly with the bed
| clothes drawn orderly about her shoulders.
It was O'Clock before she awaked
| You have had a beautiful Sleep" said
| lilly: try now and take little tea, will
/ you dear?"
| Miss Sophia started, and a fierce light
blazed suddenly in her eyes. The teacup
ratified helplessIy against the saucer
The fever has left you weak. and lilly.
with infinite compassion. Lie back-sO-
and let me hold the cup"
Miss Sophia pouted up her lips. and sip
ped and drank. But presently she spoke
out harshly as ever.
Il s'pose I've been light-headed and let
out all my secrets. and you're just a-dying
to know the ms and outs OF everything"
Indeed" said lilly, Il am not ] wish
for nothing. Miss Drew. but that you
would let me help you, and love you Just
a Iittle-for Christ's sake"
Miss Sophia jerked the bed clothes sud-
denly over her face. Not even Tillys pity
ing eyes might see the gentle havoc she
had wrought But once. from under the
eoverlet. there came the sound Of a long.
shuddering sound. and the brass knobs Of
the bedstead jingled with the shock
lilly turned resolutely away, and began
to set the tiny room in order.
Il think I'll go now" she said presently.
when she was quite sure that Miss Sophia
had emerged from her eoncealment
"Oh, l can't a-bear it cried the old wO-
man. not just yet. Sit down and sing to
me, just five minutes That Rock Of
Ages amt so bad. Sing that one verse
that starts with Nothing in my hand It's
been in all my dreams"
lilly Obeyed.
Miss Sophia stretched out a shrivelled
hand and laid it on the edge Of TiHy's
gown.
Again" she said. Il at one verse"
lilly caught up the Land and held II
softly. and repeated the song
I'm most uncommon obliged to YOU"
said Miss Sophia, with a pitiful quivering
of her under lip. You've showed more
feeling than I've had showed for five-and-
thirty years. The Lord reward il unto you.
You'd better be going home now
What about the medicine?'' said lilly.
Miss Sophia neryed herself for a terrible
task.
THAT prescription" she said. "ain't
curing me. II you'll tell my symptoms TO
your doctor and ask him to mix me some
thing give il a chance But
don't want no visiting Not for any feel
ing I've got again him now-as a doctor;
but his face reminds me Of-another, as
I'd better have seen buried fve-and- thirty
years ago
Tilly stood for a few moments looking
down upon her with sweet seriousness,
then bent gravely and kissed her
Miss Sophia's face was wrung with a
sudden CONFUSION "Oh. 90 away" she
cried. Il can't a-hear YOU here another
minute, and your mother. she'll be looking
out for YOU
When the sound Of the outer door clos
ing behind Tilly told her that she was
alone. she threw aside all restraint. and
rocked and swayed herself 10 and fro in
an utter abandonment OF emotion. "Oh.
Lord. Lord, Lord" she cried If ia had
girl like that TO be looking out for. ia
never been a hard old woman with a heart
like crab apples for 1 wasn't made that
way al drst-I wasn't
The fit OF passion had it's way. and at
length subsidized. Miss Sophia lay back on
the pillow and wiped the cold sweat from
her brow. She had shed no tear.
But presently she drew out from beneath
the bolster a cutie clean handkerchief a
dainty enough morsel Of cambria scented
with home grown lavender. for Miss So
phia had her prim little ways.
She raised il reverentIy and drew it
it many times athwart her lips. then pro-
ceeded to fold il with great ceremony.
THAT kiss" she said, lis folded up in
this Handkerchief. | couldn't a-hear 10
wash IL away in soapy water. or to swish
it up in physic; but can lay it away in
fair white linen ready for my hCrying It's
the first kiss I've had for FIVE ard thirty
year, and most likely twill be the last:
but I'll always feel that an angel give it
me- and I'll have this Handkerchief spread
over my face when I'm laid out for bury
ing; l WILL Will"
And a quick rain of tears sprinkied the
kerchief as she folded IT, and Weakened the
perfume OF the lavender Elizabeth Stu
art-Langford, in the Cornhlll Magazine.