The Red Cloud chief., 1902-06-27

~ years since the boy Sylvester had
been laid there-a little soldier who
had fought only his W pain. II
wonder who put those flowers there"
Jon Kemp muttercd again.
He went out OF the cemetery. but IN
stead %. turning down the road tow ard
his own home. walked hesitatingly the
other way toward the house OF his
sistcr-in-law-Thomas's wife, as he
always spoke OF her.
Lucy's face was at one open wlr dow.
her Aunt Sarah Cooks at the other.
Lucy" called the old man, stand.
Ing at the gate.
Lucy came out to him treu. blingly
Sarah Cook ran to tell her sister; she
thought Phebe Ann must be dead.
ID o know who put those flowers
there?' asked the old man, In n husky
voice.
II did" said Lucy. Her face flushed.
II thought there wouldn't be anybody
to see to II. now Aunt Phebe Ann Is
sick" she explained, timidly.
Her uncle looked wistfully at her.
his eyes full OF tears. Sylvester was
a dreadful sufferer" he said.
Lucy did not know what to say. She
looked up at him, and her soft face
seemed to take on distressed lines like
his.
r The old man turned abruptly and
went away. "Phebe Ann 10 sinking"
he said, indistinctly, as he went
Lucy's mother and her aun rushed
to the door to meet her. rs Phebe
Ann. dead" Sarah Cook called out.
No, she ain't dead"
What did he val to sec you for?"
asked Mrs. Kemp, .'
Lucy hesitated, a shamefaced look
came over her face. What did he
want?" her mother asked, impera-
lively. 80
HE wanted to know who put some
flowers on-Sylvester's grave"
did YOU"
"Yes'm." "a
What did you put on"
Some lilacs and-roses."
You didn't pick those roses?"
20, mother. the lilacs didn't seem
quite enough. Aunt Phebe Ann has
always done 80 much!' Lucy said.
She was almost crying.
Her mother and her aunt looked at
each other. II shouldn't have thought
you'd have picked those roses without
saying anything about IT," said her
mother. but her voice was embar-
raised rather than harsh. She went
back to the kitchen and proceeded with
her work OF making biscuits for sup
per. The sewing was all finished. Lucy
set the table. After supper they went
out in the cemetery, and strolled about
looking at the flowers, in the soft, low
light. Who brought all that mess OF
buttercups and grass. I wonder?" said
Sarah Cook. as they stood over Syl-
vester's grave.
II guess 1t must have been Phebe
AIMS husband-it looks Just like a
man." Mrs. Kemp replied. Lucy got
down on her knees and Strengthened
the buttercups into a bouquet.
II wonder IL she'll live the night
out" said Sarah Cook. soberly.
I've listened to hear the bell toll
every morning this week. said Mrs.
Kemp. Il don't believe she can live
much longer. I'd go up there tonight.
II | thought she wanted me o."
The next morning Mrs. Kemp, lis
tening with her head thrust out of
the window In the early sunlight,
heard indeed the bell tolling for Phebe
Ann. She's gone" she told Sarah
Cook and Lucy; and Lucy cried.
They all went to Phebe AIMS funer-
al and followed her to the grave. Mrs.
Kemp's and Sarah Cooks eyes were
red when they came home. There
were a great many good things about
Phebe Ann, after ALL" Mrs. Kemp
said. -
II always said there was" Sarah
returned. d~ehantly.
The morning after the funeral John
Kemp came to the door. Lucy an
swered his knock. He looked old and
detected, but he tried to smile. II
want to see you a minute said he.
No, / can't come in-not this morn
ing. I'm coming before long. hope
things will be different from what
they have been. 1t was her wish. I
went home that day and told Phebe
Ann how you'd put the flowers there.
and she beckoned L me to come and
lean over her. Then she made out to
tell me. She wanted you to have Syl-
westerns money that we put In the
bank for him when he was born. It's
been growing. We haven't spent any,
excepting for the flowers, and It's near
five hundred dollars. She wanted me
to give II to you right away, and
you're going to have II Just as o o as
l can get II out OF the bank. Phebe
Ann said you could have some more
schooling, and not have to work so
hard. And | guess you'll have more
than that. too. some day. II you outlive
me. Phebe Ann, she thought mebbe /
could make some arrangements with
you mother and aunt to come to our
house and live. and take care Of II.
She said she didn't want any other
women in there. She knew they we're
good hOusekeepers. and would kaan