The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-06-02

preached her She's sick" she an
swered, in a subdued voice. "She says
she's only tired and weak, but we'd
better have the doctor, Frank; I can't
/ help but feel anxious about her"
so do We" echoed Sylvester and An
toinette, disconsOlately.
so do We" repeated Paul and Percy,
the twins.
They did not go wheel riding that
evening. but sat in thoughtful silence
on the old porch. Phyllis sat in moth
er's chair. She was a pretty girl with
pink cheeks, rudy hair and clear blue
eyes.
All at once she sat up suddenly, fac
ing the anxious little group.
DO you know what I think?' she
began, in a decided voice. Il think
we're the most selfish, thoughtless, I'M
grateful set of children that were ever
blessed with a good and loving mother
Here We've been going out on those
abominably long wheel rides evening
after evening, leaving mother with no
company but her own sad thoughts.
Every one of US has seen how she's
gTieved for father, and yet how little
we've helped her bear it. 1t would
serve US right if she never spoke to US
again"
Frank looked suddenly grave. Its
too true, Phyllis" returned he, thought
fully. I'VE have been neglecting mothz
er seriously. ] wonder what dear faith
er would say if he knew. She was al
ways his first thought, and she ought
to have been ours.
Warm hearted Antoinette whisked
away a quick tear. SO she ought,
she cried, regretfully; but somehow
1 never thought, butt see now"
$50 do we" cried Paul and Percy to-
gether. Somehow the twins always
thought of the same things.) we saw
it as soon as we looked at her empty
chair tonight"
Dear little mother" echoed Sylves-
ter, softly; wouldn't it be awful if
she should die, Phyllis?"
"Oh, hush, cried his sister, in
scared voice How can you say such
a thing, Sylvester? Poor mother, We'll
tell her how sorry we are tomorrow
when she comes downstairs, won't
we2"
Eyes. indeed" assented the ren1orse-
full little group . unison, and then be-
fore long, the house was wrapped in
summer silence.
But mother did not come downstairs
the next day, nor the next, nor yet the
next. "a low fever" the family doctor
had announced with a sober face. 1T
may develop into typhoid" And sure
enoagh it did. Six frightened, repent
ant young people Mounted the house
those long, warm, exhausting summer
days. Wheels were quite forgotten,
and cycle paths had lost their early
charm. Every waking thought was
centered in the room above, where
mother lay. It looked for a time as if
she were going to follow father; then
one blessed, never-to- forgotten day,
she rallied a little.
After that, recovery was slow but
certain, until one evening, after six
long. weary weeks of pain, she came
feebly down the stairs, leaning on
Frank, who had hot tears in his ewes
as he felt against him the slight and
fragile presence of his little mother.
Phyllis had put about her shoulders
a soft white shawl and together they
led her tenderly out upon the front
porch. The June roses were gone now,
and it was August, but the old porch
had never looked so pleasant, the old
house had never seemed so blessed.
Mothers chair was piled with cush-
ions. and Frank placed her gently, rev.
erently in it, then he stopped and kissed
her. They all kissed her after that,
with tears of joy and thankfulness,
then they took seats about her.
Isn't it good to have nanny with
US again?" cried Sylvester, choking
back a sob. Il feel as if I never want
ed to leave her again.
Every one reached for his handker-
chief, and mother looked at the little
group with shining eyes. My dar-
Iings," she said, fondly, and how glad
/ am to be with you, But cher eyes
wandering to the hall where the BIZ
cycles mutely stood I must not be
selfish. There are your wheels. Are
YOU not going to ride them? Don't let
me interfere with your pleasure, chill
dren''
There was a moments silence. Phyl
lis flushed up to the roots of her ruddy
hair; then she took her mothers frail,
little hand between both her young,
firm ones. Don't, mother" she cried,
brokenly. don't remind us of our past
blind selfishness SO soon. Oh, mother"
dropping her pretty head upon her
mothers lap, what if we had lost you?
Do you know I can hardly bear the
sight of my wheel again. Every time
| look at the cyclometer l think of the
miles and miles have ridden straight
away from my dear mothers side
Mothers tears were falling. Don't
say that, dear child" she answered,
softly You're young, and you didn't
think"
but we ought to have thought" in
terrupted Frank, quickly. What would