Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-11-01

preston little more marked than on
the preceding day.
On the third day Bobby could endure
it no longer; as the young man crossed
the street some one stepped directly
into the path. He looked down i'm
patiently, but his face changed as he
recognized the boy.
What is To" he asked uuicklv hut
not unkindly.
The lady, sir" Bobby said, family,
isn't she coming any more?"
hope so,' said the young man.
gravely, "but not just now. She is
sick, you see, and the doctors say il
VIII be long time at least before she
can come again."
bobby turned away; the dread in
his heart had been put into words, ana
the direct knowledge, although he had
longed for it, was almost more than he
could bear.
Slowly the days passed by. Bobby
did not dare to speak to the young man
again, yet he watched his face eagerly
as he passed, and read no hope.
AT last, just a week from the mora
ing when he had first heard the sad
news, as Bobby stood at his post. ha
saw the young man coming across the
street with face so white and set and
stamped with terrible sorrow that for
moment Bobby's heart stood still.
lhen, as the young man came close to
MIN he stepped forward involuntarily.
and laid his hand on the brown sleeve.
Inc young man turned sharply, almost
merely, at the touch, but as he looked
down into the little face raised to his.
his own softened
Inc boy spoke no word, but the
other read the question in the eager
anxious eyes and said in a low, choked
voice: She died this morning. I am
going back in an hour"
Bobby's hand dropped from the
young mans arm; for moment he
stood still, dazed by the words he had
Just heard. Then. regardless of his
unsold papers, he turned and went
slowly back to the old tenement he
had left but half an hour before.
Maggie started with surprise as he
came in, but one glance at his grief
stricken face told the whole story.
"The lady, Bobby" she gasped. "Is
, She"
, She's dead" said Bobby, dropping
into the nearest chair and laying his
head on the old table; the young man
told me. I'll never see her again, and
| can't do anything for her." and the
/, little figure was shaken by heavy sobs.
Maggie stood silently beside him for
4 moments; then, suddenly turning she
> went in to the second of the little
d rooms.
When she returned she carried the
: old can in which they had planted the
: carnation. 1t now held a sturdy plant,
= and, bearing itself proudly aloft on it's
= slender stem was a beautiful blossom.
= See, Bobby" she said, laying her
hand on the bowed head. rive been
keeping 1t for a surprise for you, but
you shall have it for the lady. Per-
haps the young man can take it to
. her."
Bobby looked up; motionless he
gazed at the flower; then sprang quick
ly to his feet. HE said he'd be back
in an hour. | shall have just time!"
he exclaimed
Carefully and tenderly the carnation
was cut from its stalk and wrapped in
white paper. Then, only stopping TO
kiss Maggie in way that told the
gratitude he could not speak, Bobby
bounded down the stairs and raced
away toward the station. He was
only just in time, for as he sped
around the last corner he saw the
brown-coated figure crossing the
street. Breathlessly he rushed after
him and accosted him at the gates.
It's for her, sir" he grasped hold
ing out the precious white parcel. 1T
grew from the one she gave me that
day. It's all | could get, but I'd like 1t
to go to her"
The young man took the flower
silently; for the first time that day
tears filled his eyes and he stood
fighting back the emotions that threat
ened to overpower him.
Then, looking down into the wistful,
childish face upturned to his, he said,
gently. 1T shall be put in her hand.
And Bobby was satisfed-Boston
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