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.
1t was O'Clock before she awaked
You have had a beautiful sleep" said
lilly; try now and take a little tea will
you dear?'
Miss Sophia started. and fierce light
blazed suddenly in her eyes. The teacup
ratified helplessly 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 ins and outs of everything"
Indeed said lilly, Il am not. l wish
for nothing. Miss Drew. but that you
would let me help you, and love you, Just
little-for Christ's sake"
Miss Sophia jerked the bed clothes sud-
denly over her face. Not even TilIy's pity
ing eyes might see the gentle havoc she
had wrought. But once. from under the
coverlet there came the sound of long.
shuddering sound. and the brass knobs of
the bedstead iingled 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 concealment-
oh l can't a-bear it cried the old wo-
man, mot 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 Tilly's
gown.
Again she said, that one verse"
lilly caught up the hand and held It
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 it unto you
You'd better be going home now"
What about the medicine?'' said lilly.
Miss Sophia neryed herself for terrible
task.
THAT prescription" she said, 'ain't
curing me. If you'll tell my symptoms to
your doctor and ask him to mix me some
thing-careful-Ill give it a chance. But
don't want no visiting. Not for any feel
ing We got again MIN uOW-aS q doctor,
but his face reminds me of-another as
I'd better have seen buried fve-and- thirty
years ago"
lilly stood for 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. go away" she
cried. Il can't a-bear you here another
minute, and your mother. she'll be looking
out for YOU
When the sound of the outer door clos
ing behind lilly told her that she was
alone. she threw aside all restraint. and
rocked and swayed herself to ard fro in
an utter abandonment of emotion. "Oh,
Lord, Lord. Lord" she cried, 'if I'd had
girl like that TO be looking out for. Ia
never been hard old woman with heart
like crab apples. for | wasn't made that
way at frst-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 quite clean handkerchief. n
dainty enough morsel of cambria scented
with home grown lavender. for Miss So
phia had her prim little ways.
She raised it reverently and drew il
il many times athwart her lips. then pro-
eeeded to fold it with great ceremony.
THAT kiss" she said, lis folded up In
this handkerchief. couldn't a-bear TO
wash it away in soapy water or to swish
it up in physic; but | can lay it away in
fair white linen ready for my hurying. it's
the first kiss I've had for fve-and- 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
ing; / will Wilt"
And quick rain of tears sprinkied the
kerchief as she folded it. and Weakened the
perfume of the lavender.-Elizabeth Stu
in the Cornbill Magazine.