Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-04

n hN8tt W kAALNg WV A0AJs0as
L An echo Of something like moe
sounded in the next room. The woman
face flushed, and she drew away h
hands with Jerk. 1T is al wronI
wrong. and him lying in there alive
: and, and yefmy husband"
y Perhaps II TO-" was the answer, tn
J tone losing Its late infection, but as
have said 90 much, and said II withou
generalization. let me add this, the ides
y Of the boy 10 yet the ideal Of the middle
!, aged man. Should you ever need al
!, abiding, q resting place, free from thi
incubus on your life, remember that m.
home. my heart and name awaits you.
With returning consciousness cam
; agony intense for the patient, agony tina
called for Mary's presence through day.
and nights of utter exhaustion, finally
for herself.
You are wearing out" commented
DR.. Fairfield In professional tone.
1T Is not SO much the nursing that
care for, but my WORK. lam losing that,
and" she stopped short. She had for
gotten to whom she was complaining.
The doctor understood. She was the
wage Garner Of this home. and yet he
knew her spirit of independence would
never allow him to offer the financial
help he could never possibly miss.
1--WE must risk little and give our pa
tient medicine strong enough to induce
longer sleep. That will be the means
Of giving you q needed rest also. Iwill
leave some powders, and be very care
full. Do not crowd them, and under no
circumstance double them, as had you
do the last sleeping potion. Two or three
Of these given closely would put him in
sleep from which, In his weakened con-
dition, he could not be aroused"
She took the medicine Ina mechanical
way, thinking no more Of this order than
those preceding. except to put this medi-
cine In place of safety. But the sick
man had heard and needed.
As the door closed behind the doctor,
he fretfully said: you will be glad
when / am dead, Mary"
why should l be sorry? Have you
cared for me. Have you brought aught |
but sorrow and disgrace into my life?
Did you love your children? / might
have forgiven you all neglect Of myself,
but that you had no thought or care in
life for these children, and no tears in
death. has scared all feeling in my heart
for you. may weep when you die. but
It will not be for grief that you are gone,
but for what you might have been"
The bell under the dressmaking sign
rang sharply. She did not move. why
1on't you go?" he Queried.
1T 10 some yoman to see about work.
am tired Of turning them away. She
will not ring more than twice" she an
Iwered, in dreary way.
"You had better CO." was his brusQue
effort. Il can wait on myself, at least
can use my arms to-day. See. Bring
no the sleeping powders that doctor left.
can take them as need them, and not
other you, / heard the direction"
omething strange In his voice attracted
or, the look In his eyes told her better ,
han his tone why he wanted the medi-
Inc, and was eager to get her out Of the 4
)om.
Hurrying to get the powders. then !,
licking them under his pillow at his d. !
ction, she dare not look In his face, !,
ut her face tell that she conprehended.
be woman had turned away when the !
'or was suddenly opened and she was : !,
dden to enter. !.
Hunting for the tape line, a blur came y
'er her eyes, ringing In her head. At :,
st rest was coming. But how? The 3
xt moment she had Strengthened up, !,
n hand over her heart. She, the rig = :.
" conscientious, to not put forth her = >,
nd to stay death. Glad that It was :
ming, anyway, anyhow. just so It !.
me. She glanced at her face in the !. .
rror, and saw the reflection Of lost y !.
al. The next moment she was out Of {.
, room, and leaning over him, was y
nghly shaking the sleeping potion, ~ -
ubled twice over, broadcast from his :.
nd. ~
Why did you do THAR" he gasped, ~
ring at her. II wanted to die, and / -
,ught you wanted me out Of the way. :. ~
u knew why I wanted the medicine. ~
hat made you change your mindfs :.
'he could not answer for the trembling 's-
l upon her. As she went back to her I
toner. he called: twill get well now
spite you"
Weeks after, Or. Fairfield said: 'Mra. IN
tyson, our patient has upset the best
calculations Of the medical fra
atty on injuries Of hi8 kind, and IL f,
ng to live-that Is awhile. at least. A..
lnnot answer for how long II he goes ~
k to his old life" sA
He viii so back-is already plning ~
the flesh pots Of his Eeypt." was the 80,
,nic answer. $40
And youi win you stiil tread the LOT
paths, tool" The doctors eyes were
/ upon her. hea
No: the old life is over and done with. Dss