The Red Cloud chief., 1902-06-27

house. said Lucy. She let a branch
fly back. and went across the yard
with u great bunch of lilacs in her
hands.
IL wonder what she's up to-" said
her mother.
Lucy returned just before the pro-
cession passed. The cemetery was a
little way beyond the house. Her
mother and aunt, and a neighbor who
had come in, stood at the windows lis
tenlng eagerly to the approaching mu-
sic. Lucy Joined them. The process
sion filed slowly past: The Grand
Army men, the village band, the m =
listers and local dignitarles. and the
rear-guard of children, with lowers.
An accompanying crowd thronged the
sidewalks.
1--WE Just been saying to Sarah that
Phebe Ann won't have Sylvester's
grave decked out much this year"
said Mrs. Kemp. Her voice was pleas
anter and more guarded than before.
Il heard Phebe Ann was pretty low"
said the neighbor.
Yes. I s'pose she Is. | should have
gone up there, but she aint been In
side this house for ten years, and |
amt going to push In where | Amt
wanted. I hear she's got Mis- Baker
with her. so she's taken care Of. I
couldn't help thinking this morning
how much she'd always, laid out on
Sylvester's grave. Well, mebbe twas
a comfort to her. l ain never thought
so much OF anything Of that kind, be-
cause my husband and all my folks
are buried away from here, and Amt
had any chance to do anything about
their graves. Amt that Phebe AIMS
husband now That looks like his
horse"
yes. It's" said Sarah Cook.
1--WE a great mind to run to the
door and inquire how she Isl" cried
the n%eighbor, excitedly.
why don't YOU" said Mrs. Kemp.
The neighbor ri to the door and
called out. She was a stout woman
with a shrlll voice.
How is-Phebe-Ann?" she clam
ored.
mans face peered around the buggy
wing. How is Phebe Ann this after
noon" the woman said again. Mrs.
Kemp. Sarah Cook and Lucy were
listening at her back.
sinking, replied the old man. in a
hoarse voice. Then he drove on. The
woman called something else after
him, but he paid no attention. lie had
to pass the cemetery, which was nov
thronged with the living, in bright
groups, standing among the flower
strewn raves Of the dead. The music
had ceased. A mans voice sounded
out loudly in the hush. Phebe AIMS
husband, John Kemp, leaned forward
and shook the reins over his horse,
then drove past rapidly. He kept his
face turned away from the cemetery,
and his forehead was scowling dis
tressfully.
He had a half-mile to go before he
reached home. He left the horse In
the yard and went into the house on
tiptoe, through the house to Phebe
AIMS bedroom. AS he peered stealth
lily, the nurse, who was sitting beside
the bed. looked up and put her finger
to her lip. There was just a glimpse
OF a pale, sharp profile among the pill
lows. Phebe Ann was asleep on her
journey to the grave.
Her husband went out, put up his
horse, and sat down on the doorstep
He looked idly out over the fields
After a while he heard the village
band again. 1t sounded quite near
They were marching back from the
cemetery. Suddenly the old man felt
a hand on his shoulder. she's walked
up" the nurse whispered, land she's
terrible worked up about its being
Decoration day. You'd better conn
in"
Phebe AIMS husband went softly
, behind the nurse to the bedroom. Phe'
be Ann looked up at him and beck
oned imperatively. He went close and
bent ver her. What is 1t, Phebt
ANN" said he.
rs it-Decoration day." she whis
pered. with dificulty, for she wal
growing very weak.
Eyes, It's, Phebe Ann" said her hus
band.
Have you ~got-any flowers for-Syl
v~ester's grave?"
mo. | amt. amt thought Of II
Phebe Ann, with your being SO sick
/ and all"
"Go-get some!" she painted. Hell
motioning hand and her eager eyes
, spoke louder than her tongue.
Eyes. l will, l will, Phebe Ann!
Don't you fret another mite about It..
The nurse followed him out OF the
room.
II can't 90 to the greenhouse" he
whispered, ~agitatedly. IT'S ive miles
away"
Land. get any kind OF fiowers!" said
the nurse. Get dandelions and but
tercups, II you can't find anything
else"
The old nan took his hat down with
a bewildered air, and went slowly out
OF the yard. At the gate he paused
and looked around There were M