The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-23
GRANDMOTHER RUTH.
By Ida Preston Robinson.
TT WAS a dreadful thing that had

happened. The children moved
about the house with awed faces, even
Baby May seeming to feel that TINS was
not the time to laugh and coo. The Ia
Their had gone to his office with grave
face, that did not even brighten as ne
kissed the little ones -by-some-
thing that they had never known be-
fore, and that let them know how very
bad it was.
Ii; in her dainty bedroom Ruth lay
white and still, her eyes opening from
time 10 time, seeking her mothers face,
which was always close to hers, the firm
white hand holding the smaller one in
hers tenderly. The doctor had said
little. He had gone about his work
quickly and carefully, his face betray-
ing no sign to the woman who watched
it so anxiously. But out in the hall, at
length, he told her the truth. There
was no hope--Ruth would never walk
again.
The mother clhsped her hands in 81
lence. Little Ruth, her little daughter,
who had always been so gay and cheer
full, to be doomed to life of suffering
and hopelessness! 1t was too hard!
How could the child be told? And she
would ask, and ask for the truth, too.
at was a dangerous fall" the doctor
said. "Itswas wonder that she was
not killed-a miracle almost. AS it is,
she will live for years, an ordinary life
time, perhaps, but not an active one.
SC f0r hof
"Mother!" The voice came from the
sick room, and Mrs. Morris turned a
pleading face to the physician.
keep it from her if you can," he
said, in answer to the look. "But you
know better than I which course to
once"
Mother, dear!" the voice called
again, and Mrs. Morris opened the door,
her heart sinking as she met the ques-
tioning look in Ruth's eyes. 81 want
to know, mother, DEAR" she said. "You
must tell me just what the doctor told
YOU"
my brave little daughter, aren't you
content to leave it with me just for a
little while? Isn't it better SOP"
Ruth shook her head. 81 want to
know!" she cried, piteously. II want
10 know just what he said"
"Never walk again!" She echoed the
words after her mother, whose heart
was torn with pity as she watched the
struggle on the pale little face.
''Thank you, mother; it's SO good to
feel that I can trust you," her voice
and as she turned her face to the wall
lcr eyes had look in them that haunt
81 her mother for days. evil you tell
the children? Will they understand
what it means? No, | don't want any
thing, thank you, nothing at ALL"
The calm despair in her tones went to
her mothers heart, but she saw that
words were useless and left the room,
which was the wisest thing she could
have done, for the child could not hold
cut much longer, and she sobbed now
u::til a certain relief came to her.
. Never to walk again!" She had heard
OF people like that-had read of them,
shudder. She was like that now
would always be like that!
Days passed, and she still remained in
a half dazed state. Nothing interested
hsr, nothing moved her at all, not even
when she was lifted from the bed and
Put on the couch that had been made
ready for her. The children, after their
i'rst awe of her had left them, came to
her room and talked merrily of their
school, companions and amusements,
but these hours were always followed
By such long periods of weeping on the
Tart of the sufferer that they had to be
stopped, and a gravelike quietness
reigned in her room, even when the
younger people were there.
One afternoon Bess, the pretty, oldest
daughter of the house, came running to
Ruth's door. "Would you mind mend
ing this glove for me, Ruth?" she
asked. II wouldn't ask you, but I'm in
a hurry, and everyone is so busy" Her
voice showed that she had qualms about
asking the favor, and Ruth fastened to
show her willingness.
as the needle here? Oh, yes. Run
alorg, Bess, and it will be ready when
you are"
But it had been finished for some time
when her sister claimed it. There was
dreamy look in Ruth's eyes when Bess
thanked her and kissed her good-by
that made the older girl, even in her
excitement, feel thrill of pity for the
helplesslittlc sufferer she had just left.
But Ruth was not thinking of this.
The envy she usually felt when the 9TH
ers went out for their pleasant times
had passed away, and she was having a
struggle with herself.
She had not been brave! They had
called her that, but she had been cross
and fretful all the time since that dread
full morning SO long ago. She had made
people uncomfortable by looking un-
happy when they were cheerful, and
they had never reproached her for it.
but forgiven it all because she was suf-
ferng and unhappy. But was it fair
that she should make others unhappy
because she was? Of course they al
ways would feel that way, and the best
thing for her to do was to be cheerful
herself. Bess had asked her to mend
her glove just now; that was surely
what she was good for. There were
many things she could do as she Law
there, for she never was in hurry now.
y tear came with the thought, but was
hurriedly brushed away as another idea
came to her that made her smile.
That was just what the dear old
grandmother next door did for the
large family there She was too faohl.