The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

some way she should have managed TO
send Us further word Of how 1t Jared
I'm them As soon as the letter was
posted 1 regretted having written it. for
felt that I had been overhasty. My
girl would not willingly have exposed US
to this dreadful uncertainty. Some
thins must be very wrong with one or
both OF them
When I at last arrived al their house
in the hot little inland town there was
an air of hush and gloom about it that
sent q chill through ne in spite Of the
heas OF the sun which beat down upon
me. AS I mounted the steps leading 70
the porch the door was flung open and
was face 10 face with a whi5e-hsired
surgeon. who had been a good friend Of
mine at home.
=. Ny poor old friend. be said, as he
wrung my hand. and looking pityingly
at me.
Alma, man, AIms.' was all that
/ could say.
The child is dead. he said grave
". and, God help you. the mothers dy-
ing
4 flung OF his kindly hand with
something between a sob and curse.
No. no. you would not let her die.'
said wildly. and rushed into the house
only to be stopped on the threshold Of a
room by the shadow Of Fred-gaunt. sor-
row struck. white The world seemed
peopled with shadows that day, and the
shadow Of death law over all.
When I was calm again they led ne
in 10 her. It seemed at first that she
would not know Us. but when Fred
spoke her name. though his husky voice
sounded strange to me. she opened the
glorious eyesin which the light Of suf-
fering still hngrd.
Poor boy she said. as he elasped
her hand. Then she saw me. and she
smiled feebIy.
" Daddy, daddy. SO you did get here.
I'm so glad. I'm sorry I could not write.
Fred Will tell you she 1urmured. as 1
leant down to kiss her The words cue
me like a knife
Take care OF Fred, daddy she beg
ged little later Her voice was weaker
now Try not 10 grieve too much for me
its not really so hard to 20. though
have been so happy with you both.
First daddy, then my Fred wonderful
smile broke over the pale face. with IN
wonted strength she raised herself
slightly. and looked lovingly at each OF
us in turn, then with a sigh. sank back
among her pillows
So happy all my life: she brearbad.
The beautiful life was ended. Ny
daughter, ny Alma. had passed away
She had laid down her life for another
for Fred He told me how after she
cabled to US, that he grew steadily
worse, how devotedly Alma nursed him.
hardly ever leaving his side.
His pay had not come and for = time
she was sore pressed for money. and he.
being deiirious, did not realize either
this, or how unwise it was for her to tax
herself as she was doing with the care
of him. For long time there vas no
doctor 70 warn him. for she, because or .
her knowledge of medicine. constituted
herself both doctor and nurse in order to
cut down expenses Il was only By
chance that the old surgeon had called
one day. because Of a promise to me thar
he would look Alma up. He took mat
tiers in hand very quickly. but the mis-
chief to Alma was done. While Fred
mended slowly day By day. she grew
weaker and less able TO withstand the
ordeal that was before her.
The OLD man sprang to his feet.
And wrote her that letter. he cried.
4 wrote her that letter" he repeated.
as the tears coursed down his cheeks.
Nan came TO him gently. soothing him
as best she could. A man came hurryinE
in, looking very Apologize.
Tn so sorry, miss he explained. Il
must have gone 20 sleep just a littIs
miaute, and your father slipped away
and he led the old gentleman out Of the
room.
Nan turned TO ne
Now you know all about it. " she said,
trasieally. There's insanity IN the fam
lily, you see"
I put my arms around her, and she dia
not repulse me
Is that why you will not marry ma.
Nam
Isn't that why enoughe When my
own father
But. darling, that's quite different.
It's not hereditary OF anything like that;
it's simply the great trouble he has had.
and the brooding over that letter Isn't
that SO, sweetheart
II she had not looked so pathetic.
could have laughed at her.