Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-17

Sucn pare little place! cOlu ana
dark and comfortless as a room we'll
nigh innocent of furniture must be,
yet sweet and clean and orderly, and
above all-home to old sick Molly and
Timothy, her husband.
Bring her over at once, then, and
the sooner the better; perhaps this
will make the journey easier" said
the doctor, as he laid shilling on the
table and breathed a sigh of relief.
He had come ready prepared to meet
the hundred and one difficulties and OBJ
jections usually put forward in such a
case, but the convincing arguments
had been all unneeded, for Molly had
risen to the occasion bravely and had
consented to become an impatient at
the big hospital across the park that
very day. So, his task successfully
accomplished, the doctor turned to
leave the room.
might it be tonight?" 1t was Tim
othy who spoke. "1ll bring her for
certain tonight. but we'd like to have
Just this one day together first"
mo, bring her at once as l told you;
why, the sooner she is in the sooner
she will be out again, you know; what
objections can you have?'
Timothy hesitated, but glance at
Molly's thin face and certain eager,
usefulness upon it gave him couarge.
"It's only this, sir, and it may seem
a poor sort of reason to you, but this
is our wedding day, we've never spent
1t apart yet-and-"
The old voice faltered, and the SEN
tence was never finished for the young
man himself interrupted it
Reason! why it's the very best Of
reason, if you had only said so at once!
Bring her tonight then by all means;
good-by till them
Left with his wife, Timothy seated
himself beside her and patted her hand
encouragingly.
Hospitals are such fine places,
Moll."
VERY fine, dear" and she looked at
him with the smile whose sunshine
had made life bright to him for SO
long.
Such splendid food and nursing.
Moll; and the rooms! why, I'm only
afraid you'll be looking down on this
poor little place when you come back
to it after a bit so well and strong;
for it's wonderful how well folks 10
get in those hospitals, Moll, quite won
derful."
Yes, Timothy, so they do, very Of
ten."
Her lips trembled, but only for mo-
ment. Then. with a brave attempt at
cheerfulness, she continued
But Tim, my man. it's getting OH,
and were wasting precious time,
shan't We begin?"
And drawing nearer still, Timothy
began. 1t was an old, old custom with
them now. Year after year in the
same simple fashion, though never be-
fore in such a room or with so little to
help the keeping. Formerly the little
anniversary festival had been as a
sort of happy duet between them, each
in turn reyiying some sweet old mem
ory or cherished recollection.
Today. however, Timothy had it all
his own way for Molly said little
only lay back and SMILED contentedly
or shook her head gently as the case
demanded while she listened one more
to the old familiar story that time only
seemed to make more dear.
And Timothy told of the happy
courting days. happy though wise folks
had shaken their heads and had au-
cured i'll of this foolish marriage; of
a certain April morning when a dull
old London church had seemed so still
and solemn, anod yet so strangely
bright; OF the friends-and he named
them one by one-who had collected
at her home near by to wish them
well; and at last of that real home
coming, the settling down in the poor
little attic rooms which his love and
thought had made so sweet an1 snug
and cosey.
And the violets," she put in quick
ly, don't forget the violets. Tim"
potatoes. fried potatoes-and | don't
GAY. the violets. | pinned them on
myself, didn't |? The sweetest breast-
knot | could find for the sweetest lass
In all the world to me-
He paused again and she watched
him keenly, anxiously.
"Yes, Moll."s he resumed presently
don't let us shirk it. old girl; then"
but his voice sounded strange, and she
could barely catch the words. then
came that grand first dinner party of
ours; you and me for guests, and fish
fried fish it was. with potatoes-fried
potatoes-and | don't know what be-
sides; and you laughed so because !
couldn't help to cook them, do you
remember, Moll? DO you remember"
and throwing back his head. Timothy
burst suddenly into a laugh so strange
and wild that it well-nigh tore poor
Molly's heart in two. Then. as sud
denly ceasing. he buried his face in his
hands aud sobbed as though his heart
must break. while the quiet tears ran
down her old cheeks too. and what
could she say To comfort him?
...aI n t..f. hot