Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
"Missis. couldn't 'elp it! Forgive me-

"Missis ! couldn't 'elp it! Forgive me,
! Say Our Father"
! l knelt down, and as we'll as could for
the tears that almost choked me. repeated
| that most simple yet all-Satisfying petition
| to the throne of grace.
Meanwhile the doctor held Joe's wrist,
| and my sister, at a sign from him. put
| few drops of nourshment between his pale
! lips.
| my dear" at length said the doctor,
| did you say the boys brother was in Lon
| don?''
Yes replied, but 1 have no address,
| as expect him here this morning.
THAT is well; he may be in time"
| I'm timer 1 repeated; ''in time for what?
| Is he dying? Can nothing be done?'
| The good doctor looked again with moist
| ened eyes on the little white face, and
said sadly:
Il fear not but the sight of this brother
| he seems to have such strong love for
| may rouse him for awhile AS it is, he is
| sinking fast. 1 can do no more; he is be
| yond human skill; but love and Gods help
may yet save him. Poor little fellow, he
| has done his duty nobly, and even to jie
| doing that is erviable fate; but we
| want such boys this to live, and show
| others the way"
| There was Slight sound at the room
! door. and on turning round l saw Dick
Dick with wild, dumb entreaty l., his
| eyes.
I pointed to the bed and with a whisper
! ed "Hush!' beckoned him to enter.
| The shock of seeing his loved little lad
mans courage, for with cry he in vain
strove to smother he sunk on his knees
| with his face hidden in his hands.
But only for moment he let his grief
| overcome him; then rising, he took Joe's
| little form in his arms, and in voice to
which love gave the softest and gentiest
tones said:
Joe, lad. Joe, little chap. here's Dick.
Look at poor old Dick. Don't you know
| him? Don't go away without sayin good
| bye to Dick what loves YOU"
| Slowly little fiuttering smile parted the
| lips and the blue eyes Enclosed once more.
| ''Dick!' he gasped; Il wanted to tell you,
Dick but-I-cant. I-ain't-forgot. own
-up-to-it-wotever'-I minded it all. Kiss
me-Dick. God-bless-missis. Dick-take
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
And with a gentle sigh in the arms of
| the brother he loved Joe fell into a deep
sleep, a sleep from which we all feared he
| would no more awake on earth, and we
watched him, fearing almost to move
Dick held him in his arms all that morn
| ing, and presently toward noon the doctor
took the little wrist and found the pulse
still feebly beating: smile lit up his good,
kind face, and he whispered to me, Ihere
is hope
THANK Godv' 1 whispered back, and ran
away into my own room to sob out grateful
prayers of thanksgiving to heaven for hav-
ing spared the life so nearly lost to us
When l went back Joe had just begun to
awaken, and was looking up into his be
loved Dicks face, murmurins-NWh ny, II
Dick Are you a-cryin' about me, Dick?
Don't cry-Im all right-Tm only so tired
And having drank some wine the doctor
had ordered should be given him, he
nestled close to Dicks breast and again fell
into a sweet sleep, a better, nfe-glVlng
sleep this time for the faint color came TO
his pale little lips, and presently DICK laid
him down on the pillows and rested his
own weary arms. He would not move from
Joe's side for fear he might wake and miss
him, but for many hours our little fellow
| slept peacefully, and SO gradually came
back to life.
We never quite knew the particulars of
the robbery for when Joe was well enough
TO talk we avoided speaking OF IT, Dr.
Loring said: THE boy only partly remem-
bers II, like a dream, and it is better ne
should forget it altogether; he will do so
as he gets stronger. Send him home to his
mother for awhile and If he returns to you
let 1t be to the country house where there
is nothing to remind him of all this
Joe did get strong and came back to us,
but no longer as page boy; he was I'M
dergardener and his time was spent among
his favorite flowers and pet animals, until
one day Dick wrote to say his father had
bought more land to be laid out in gardens,
and If Joe could be spared he and DICK
could work together, and In time set up
for themselves in the business.
So Joe left US, but not to forget us or TO
be forgotten On each anniversary of my
birthday / find bunch Of magnificent
roses on my breakfast table-"With j. and
r. Coles respectful duty and l know the
sender is fine strong young market gar
dener; but sometimes l look back few
years and instead of the lovely roses and
the big healthy giver l seem to see faded
dusty bunch Of wild flowers held toward
me by the little hot hand of tired child
with large. blue eyes. and hear a timid
voice say please mlts ]. Cole; and I've
come to stay with yer!'
(The end)