The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1904-03-05
wrong, and him lying in there alive -
and, and yet my husband"


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
DIR. Fairfield in professional tone.
1t is not so much the nursing that
care for, but my work. am losing that
and" she stopped short She had for
gotten to whom she was complaining
The doctor understood. She was thu
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.
I'VE must risk little and give our pa.
tient medicine strong enough to induce
longer sleep. That will be the means
of giving you a needed rest also. will
leave some powders, and be very care
full. Do not crowd them. and under nc
circumstance double them, as had you
do the last sleeping potion. Two or three
of these given closely would put him in
a 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, Nary"
why should | 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
1t 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
don't you go?" he queried.
1T is some woman to see about work.
| am tired of turning them away. She
will not ring more than twice." she an
swered. in dreary way.
"You had better CO." was his brusque
retort. II can wait on myself, at least
| can use my arms to-day. See. Bring
me the sleeping powders that doctor left.
can take them as l need them, and not
bother you. | heard the. direction"
Something strange in his voice attracted
her, the look in his eyes told her better
than his tone why he wanted the medi-
cine, and was eager to get her out of the
room.
Hurrying to get the powders, then
tucking them under his pillow at his d.
rection, she dare not look in his face.
lest her face tell that she comprehended.
The woman had turned away wher the
door was suddenly opened and she was
hidden to enter.
Hunting for the tape line, blur came
over her eyes, ringing in her head. At
last rest was coming. But how? The
next moment she had Strengthened up,
her hand over her heart. She, the rig
idly conscientious. to not put forth her |
hand to stay death. Glad that it was
coming, anyway. anyhow. just so il |
came. She glanced at her face in the |
mirror. and saw the reflection of a 4ost |
soul. The next moment she was out of |
the room, and leaning over him. was
roughly shaking the sleeping potion. |
doubled twice over, broadcast from his |
hand.
Why did you do that?" he gasped |
slaring at her. Il wanted to die, and |
hought you wanted me out of the way.
You knew why wanted the medicine.
What made you change your mind?"
She could not answer for the trembling
till upon her. AS she went back to her
he called: Twill get well now
o spite you"
Weeks after. DIR. Fairfield said: Mrs.
'rayscn. our patient has upset the best
aid calculations of the medical fra
ernity on injuries of his kind, and is
DING to live-that is awhile, at least.
cannot answer for how long If he goes
ack to his old life"
He will go back--is already pining
Or the flesh pots of his Egypt" was the
aconic answer.
And you? Will you still tread the
Id paths. too?" The doctors eyes were
ent upon her.
NO; the old life is over and done with.
have come to the parting of the WAYS
q it. am going where he can never see
r know of me again"
Mary. do you forget what said that
ay?" His voice was anxious.
Forget. Oh, my good angel. never
ever. But respect you-love YOU. if
Oh will have it so-too well to bring one
reath of reproach to your fair name
nd reputation. No. not while he lives"
er voice was shaking, but he read the
,und of no appeal in it,
The mills of the gods are slow. They
Ike that down in their revolutions
hich seems lost to sight forever. to
ing it back ard up some day in a way
e had not dreamed for. And one day
ley brought back love and rest for
airy. and With them Dr. Fairfield s oldep