The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-09-11

~~~ OF the where FL
~ s4e lay asleep. The
sudden increase Of light awoke Der.
and she found that brenda was hohl
trs both her hands.
Il wus afrnid YOU would move too
much aud hurt yourself" said she. Il
knew you must wake soon How do
you feel?"
Elsie winked her eyes and twisted
the left corner Of her mouth with the
alr Of one who Is testing a bruise 10
see how ore II Is
There was a girl who felt better
once a hong time ago" she said, but
It doesn't matter. Haven't you been to
bed all this night?"
Il have slept on the COUCH replied
Brenda. My maid brought down this
loose Gown. aud Two been very comfort
able. have had some things brought
from your house too
did you get my little silver mirrorT'
asked Elsie, with eagerDess "Oh. how
good Of you, Please let me have IT.
Brenda gave her the mirror. and she
gazed long and intent!y into II: then
she sighed and laid down the glass.
"All gone she said. We'll. that
doesn't matter either. Nothing matters
any more. But I used to think ! would
be pretty when | was dead
80 you will. my dear" answered
Brenda. You'll have a sweeter, pref.
tier face than you have now-the dear
est old grandmother's face, with beau
tiful white curls all around-and the
children who come to kiss you Will cry
like a little shower on a May morning.
but they will be better children after
ward. for they Will want to live the
life that brings such happy sleep at the
end of It."
81 wish l could say things like that"
said Elsie. Even II they aren't true
they make people feel good HOOK
fierce! Don't l. honestly
Pierce echoed Brenda why
anything else In the world, I should
say"
That's slang" said Elsie. 1T mere.
ly means terrible"
well. I'd hardly agree to that word
either said Brenda. you don't In.
spire any terror in me. You're only q
little bit pale, and perhaps you have
cried too much"
You must think I am q perfect baby.
Really II isn't 30. have borne some
things In this life fairly we'll | would
bear much more and be as happy as
any girl II l only knew bow. But
there's no way. My life Is In q tansie
that caunot be unwound. | Just stm'
ply cart 90 on. Brenda That's what
felt wien I opened my eyes In this
room the first time and while l 10y
thinking before | would let Ok. Ken
dali know. | was conscious There Is
no way. absolutely no way
Her voice began TO tremble, but she
resolutely checked the tendency.
How everything settles down on
you in the morning." she said. You
wake 30 happy. Perhaps you have
dreamed OF the ~pkasantest things
almost always dream OF people | Hike
and of being with them tn the fields OF
abroad somewhere In n strange city
and oil dressed up In the most wonder
full clothes. AID then the reality be
gins 10 come down. iike-hke a gIea,
ball Of rags. | SOW them loading d
barge with rugs o,lce-she was along
side q stealner-and | always ranIem'
bercd how those dirty, heavy. sitting
bak.s cauie down. They e Hike life
your life hasn't been altogether a
bale OF nss- my young friend said
Brenda. "nIM unless I'm much mis-
taken 1t will lie In the future quite
Ike some OF those dreams. There was
n young man who made n promise OK
two about strange cities and beautiful
clothes. you know" che added. re<lden.
Ing a little. II saw Mr.. Alden's note
to yota snd I was trtcked into reading
n part OF IT,"
II suppose It will be printed 10 the
papers" said Elsie. with your picture
and mine and Mr. .Ahen's. Isn't this
awful? II IL 70 absolutely horrible
that there's no use being polite about
It. but really I never meant to 10 you
my harm. I never encouraged Nr.
Alden. ! loved him from the begin
ming. The very tirst evening ! saw
him l went home and criel about him,
but when he began to come to see ne
made him think that I didn't care
for him. | actually did make him
think go"
II know IT, replied Brenda gently.
"Ile told me 40"
ITO be Continued.
4 COMMUNICATIONS.