The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-07-20
EuRA.s HAPPY nhX


GIrst prize story in Denver Press club
contest, written by Mrs. Susan Jane Mar
TIM
Eivira sat at the window crocheting q
strip OF cotton lace II was one OF her
well days, and TO celebrate il she wore
q new purple calico dress with a ruffled
yoke and sleeves. Her dark brown hair
was combed severely back into a loose
knot, and her eyes, though clear. looked
a trifie sunken. telling better than words
Of past and present suffering. All at
once the new minister went by-a tall.
clerical looking figure in a black coat and
hat
There goes the minister said Elvira.
Grandma Payne stood over BY the table
washing dishes II was after dinner.
rs ne comm n she asked quickly.
Elvira watched the tan figure until It
went by, then the expectant hook faded
into apathy.
NO. he amt she answered.
In a minute or two Elvira looked across
at grandma
times" she said. wistfully. I haven't
been for ten years, and l would Ike 70
hear the new singer. They say she sings
hymns beautifully. Her names Helen
Tracy
Grandma was tying on her clean ging-
ham apron, for her work was done. She
looked at the little shrunken figure with
dim and plying eyes. II wish you could.
dear child" she cried. but. YOU know. on
account Of the sinkin spells you'd better
not
Yes. know" said Elvira, duly
Elvira was 3, but owing 10 an accident
when a child. had been subject ever
since TO sudden sinking spells-strange,
unconscious periods. that bafled even the
best Of medical skill. Sometimes they
1rr- Cd
The last time she had been TO church had
been ten years ago. She had been failing
ever since, and il had happened that that
was the last place 10 which she had gone
Day after day she sat in the old rocking
chair, able to do but little, except knit or
sew.
So poor EIvira. chained to her rocking
chair. stumbled through the Psalms. grew
mystihed and puzzled over the books Of
Daniel and Revelations, and said her
prayers whenever the sinking spells would
permit Life had been brighter to her
Few years before, for one OF the minis
ters noble laTge-hearted man, had,
during his pastorate, gone to see Elvira
regularly every two weeks, both reading
to and praying with her. But IN the
course Of events he went away, and no
one after him took Up the work.
Thus year after year, she lived. patient,
and asking little, with the nameless dread
OF more sinking spells always Juggling at
her heartstrings. How Elvira grew 10
dread them-these inert. inactive, ara
thetic periods that robbed her OF her
reason and her strength. They were get
ting more frequent now, and lasted longer
ard Grandma Payne daily grjw more and
mere anxious, as Elvira slowly grew moie
feeble and less able to cope with them.
She amt a gettin any bettsr." she
would say 10 herself.
THE minister might come 10 see her,"
she said, with a touch OF bitterness. one
day. She was talking with one OF the
neighbOrs, a Mrs. Bishop, a sweet-faced
young woman who had stopped TO bring
Elvira some new laid eggs. Elvira was
lying down. 'Twouldnt hurt him q
mite" grandma went on, and think how
much 1t would help Elvira- Then there's
the new singer. Virys lust pinin' TO hear
her sing. Dear, dear-to think the child
cut of from everything. The only thing
can think about heaven rs that there
won't be any sinkin' spells there"
Little Mrs. Bishop went home that day
with new thought that grew and bios
somed, and afterward bore such fruit it
became the sweetest memory OF her life.
How glad she was because Of II, IN the
days that followed.
The next morning she went TO see the
new minister. A few minutes afterward /
she called upon Helen Tracy, then. before 1
she went home, she dropped In upon two I
or three of the old church members that /
Elvira longest.
That next afternoon Elvira sat by the /
window. The strip Of cotton lace was IN 1
her lap, but the thin little hands were 4
,olded. Grandma Payne looked at her
,nxiously. Don't you feel very well
Iiry2' she said
Elvira smiled family met very" she
ne 81 IT,
,onin' on, grandma che went on, II
an feel the weight beginning on my
hest. Maybe. though I can ward It of
or a day or two"
Grandma Payne went 20 the old yellow
cupboard and took from II q certain dark
,ottie- With her shaking cid hand she
Iropped few drops carefully into
pooh. She took It over to Ehira. (
Take this. dear child" she said.
Elvira took It patiently, then turned
Ter sunken eyes once moro 70 the win
ow. Suddenly the pale face lghtened.
Grandma" she cried, 'the new minis
ers comm in, and With him there's
drs. Bishop. and Mrs. Greene, and Mrs.
PARSONS, aud-it can't be. but yes It is.
0o-there's Helen Tracy. the new singer"
Comm her?" asked grandma. incred-
lousy.
''Yes-here," replied Elvira, hastily.
Land sskesl" said the good woman,
ustling into the little front room. Il
7onder what's goln' TO happen noEY'
What an afternoon that was They all
altered round the little figure IA the
Id rocking chair and held little service
he minister read a chapter. explaining Il
s tenderly and gently as be would 10
red child. Then re prayed 80 feehngly
nd beautifully that Grandma Payne
RED audibly. But Elvira sat very sttli,
wondering brightness upon her sace.
hen the new singer. Miss Tracy. sang.
Have you any special favorite7" she
sized Elvira IN her sweet. clear voice.
Elvira looked at her with wistful eyes.
How nice Il must be 10 be young and
retty and gifted" she thought. "Anf :
est Of all, never 70 have any sinking
oels"
Have ycu any favorite?" she repeat
j. gently. ;
Elvira came 70 herself with start
You must excuse ne. she said humbly.
| was thinkin' how sweet lie must &c
you. Yes. 7 have a favorite. It's
Happy Day. I used 70 sing IL long
go"
So the clear. sweet voice swelied Into