Smyrna times., 1902-10-22

'Tf you viii be so good, l should like
10 go to my son at once"
'I am not sure of his number, but if
you will look at each cot as we go
through you will find him."
Into each face as she passed Mrs.
Sylvester peered silently, intently, pitt
fully. The first four men were asleep.
She shook her head in response to the |
surgeons mute look of inquiry. Then |
as she reached No. 10 the rough, heavy, |
Redeemed face of Private Incog turned,
and the fevered eyes fixed themselves
on hers. Already she was about to
pass on when the mans lips opened,
and with a sob there came forth one
word-"MOtherp'
Mrs Sylvester's hand went to her
| throat She peered into the face-a
| face she had never seen before, face
| of type as alien to her as would have
been that of an animal A very proud
and cold and naughty lady was Mrs.
Almon Sylvester, yet there stirred
within her heart at that call the uni
versal mother instinct that dominates
the soul of every good woman.
"DeliriOus." whispered the young
surgeon in her ear. Hes dying and
/ doesn't realize where he is"
"Motherr said Private IncOg again.
and the cracked lips writhed into a
smile. 81 knew you'd come, mother"
He reached out shaking hand. AS
if hypnotized she took it in hers. Then
she turned her head. her eyes quest
ing lOngingly for the son she had come
seeking.
You're not going to leave me, moth
er?' asked the harsh, weak voice.
cracking with anxiety. "What makes
you look at me that way?'
Mrs. Sylvester tried to speak; tried
again and knew that for that moment
speech was beyond her.
"You amt mad at me still, are you!
If you knew how sorry I've been that
l quit the place that way. Lots of
times 1 thought of it when the sun
was beating down. Oh, that Cuban
sun! It's terrible on your head. car
feel it burning in now. It's wearing
me out, mother. But 1 couldn't die til
YOU came and said it was all right be
tween us"
There was a loosening of Mrs. Syl
vester's knees and she sank upon tn
ground beside the cot.
"It's all right again, isn't it. moth
er?' said Private Incog wistfully
"You do forgive me?"
Again Mrs. Sylvester strove to speak
again she failed. But she did bette
| than speech. Leaning over. she kisse
| the fevered lips. and her tears fell o
| the strange. coarse face. The face r.
] laxed the eyes closed.
N 81 believe l can sleep now," said Pr
vate IncOg.
. For one weary hour Mrs. Sylvest'
y. crouched by cot No. -, her han
NJ cramped in the hot grip Of the privat
~ for one weary hour her heart SCENE
- TO be bursting from her bosom, Il
NJ her son, raising himself from his G
Iv beyond, had caught sight of her.
- ''Mother! Mother!' he had cried, b
A. as she started up the hand that he
90 hers tightened. There was a start
ho the fevered body, and from the lips
no Private IncOg a stifed moan:
Don't leave me!'
~ Private Sylvester sank back, strlC
,v, en- by the passing of his hope, for
20. believed that his delirium had return'
ov That his mother in flesh and bio
,o+ could be there and not come to
roc call was not to be believed. And
,od he lay in his misery she fought a
oss won her battle against the most be;
ica tiful and tyrannical of all instincts
'or At the end of the hour the grasp
.o+- Private Incog relaxed, and the maj
Of who had come up, lifted Mrs. Sylv
INV ter to her feet.
rod 'You won't disturb him now"
+bo said, "and your own boy is waiting.
,on Not even the cry of joy as mot
inc and son met disturbed Private Inc
MD lying with peace filed eyes on cot
,ith When Mrs. Sylvester asked about /
;sb later, the major said:
fol. Didn't you know? He's dead-d
hod as you were holding his hand"
mr., Dead! Poor boy! did so want
+ha help himw
cvI- ''My dear lady," said the major, g
an gave him the one help that human
,oro could give him-a happy death"
49, Text For Text.