Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-10
Fiction

cessantly opened and closed. The
fingers moved as II animated by some
thought; as II they obeyed an intelli-
Rence The angular face did not
twtch, THE eyes were closed.
The relations ranged themselves
around the room and watched, without
uttering a word, the short respirations.
The little maid, who had followed
them, cried stu
rs 1t the end?" asked Cunino.
What has the doctor said?" The lit
tie maid murmured: "He said to let
her rest, that there was nothing more
that could be done"
Suddenly the old maids lips moved
uttcring a word, the short rosprations
They seemed to pronounce silent
words, words hidden in the dying
brain, and her hands moved more
quickly In the same strange manner
All at once she spoke In weak little
voice that no one recognized, a voice
that seemed to come from afar. from
the depths OF her heart, which, per
HdDst Hhu HlWhyS Dcel smut,
CunInc tiptoed out Of the room
finding the scene too sad: COlombel
whose lame leg tired him. sat down:
the two women rer aimed standing
Queen Hortense muttered now very
rapidly, but no one understood even "A
word. She pronounced names, -
many names, softly called imaginary
persons
Come here my little Philip, hug
your mother Tell me- child do you
love your mother dearly? And you,
Rose, you will go and watch your 1T.
tic sister while | am out Above all
do not leave her alone. You under.
stand me? forbid you to touch the
matches"
She was silent for second or two
then In louder voice, as If calling
some one; ''Henrlette!'
She waited bit then began: rrelI
your father to come and speak with
me before he goes off to his onlce:"
and then again 81 am not feeling well
today, my dear, promise me to come
back carly You must tell the proprl
otor that | am Ill, You see, 1t is dan.
gerous to leave the children alone
when | am In bed shall make for
your dinner n good dish Of rice and
sugar, The little ones like II so
much. Claire will be happy.
She began to lalrgh, fresh young,
happy lough-she who had never
laughed: Look at John! What a fun
ny head he hast He Is covered with
sticky eandy,-the dirty little rogue.
Look, my dear, how funny he Isl"
Colombel changed his lame leg to
rest 1t, murmlwing: She IL dreaming
that she has children and husband -
Il Is the death agony that begins"
The two sisters, stunned and won
dering, did not move. The little malt
said, "Will YOU go into the parlor and
take off your shawls and hats?" They
went out without saying a word And
Colombel followed them, limpng, leav,
Ing the dying woman alone.
When they had taken off thelr
shawls and hats the women sat down
Then one Of the cats left It's place on
the window lodge, jumped into the
room, then up on Mrs. Guinness lap
She began to caress It. The voice Of
the dying woman could be heard, ltv.
Ing at this last hour the life that she
had longod for without doubt, seeing
her dreams themselves at the moment
when was about to end for her.
Cunine played with little Joseph and
the dog out In the garden, enjoying
himself very much. forgotful of the
dying woman within the house. All
ct once he went In and said to the
maid, Tell me, girl, YOU are surely
cling TO get us some breakfast? What
will YOU have ,ladles?"
They were satisfied with an "umClel
aux fines hcrhcs," tllet Of beef. new
potatoes, cheese and coffee Mrs
Colomhcl felt in her pocket for her
purse; Cunne stopped her turned to
the maid and said "YoU ought to
have some money!"
She said, II have some"
"Fftoen francs"
"rhat is enough Hurry, girl. he
cause | am hungry"
Mrs .Cunine looked out at the flow,
crs hathed In the sunlight and ut two
loving pigeons on the opposite room
aud said with an annoyed air: ut Is
unfortunate to have come under such
sad circumstances. It is SO beautiful
In the country today"
Her sister sighed without answer.
Ing. and Colomhel murmurcd, moved
perhaps by the idea of Il walk My leg
rains me terribly"
Little Joseph and the dog made n
deal Of noise; one screamed with Joy
the other harlied wildly, They play.
cd Mt hide and.go-seek around the
three flower beds, running after each
other like two innoconts,
The dying woman continued to call
her children. talking 70 each ono
imagining that she was dressing them,
that she caressed them or taught them
to read, Come, Simon Repeat after