The Taney County republican., 1905-05-04
VAAITAS, y.AITATUM.

reading his stock report, glanced side.
wise at her. and with the gloomiest
forebodings. Just so had her mothe.
looked, just so had her mother breath
ed, just so had her mothers eyes gilt.
er d with a dry lustre that told CT thi
inward fever.
He sprang to his feet with sudden
rebellious gesture and walked ove-
where she leaned wearily forward upon
the back of chair placed in front Of
her. The disease of late had taken an
asthmatic turn and so for several
weary days and nights she had been
unable to lie down. she glanced Up
with a smile as her father drew near.
rs there anything you would like tn
have my dear?' he said, bending over
and adjusting the light shawl more
closely around her. IF there is ANY
thing at all. tell me Of it. and I will
be only too glad to get it for you"
"a really have everything I want,
doddy dear" she said In the hoarsc
cracking voice characteristic Of her
trouble.
Everything but health" was their
mutual thought.
isn't there one thing that can buy
you and bring home tonight" he ask
ed anxiously, as he caressed her hair.
"Why, father, you know as well as
do that 1 have everything girl coula
need" she said
Have you all the pretty things that
other girls have?' he said with jeaiHu3
love.
81 haven't any party fixngs," she
said, but that Is because the doctor
forbid me going out at night, But
may soon be better, and then you can
buy me a lovely pink silk dress with
lots Of lace on it and satin ribbons
Would you really like one?' he ask
ed, bending over her.
"Yes, indeed | would, and I'm going
to have one just as soon as I'm better"
she said, Frightening perceptibly under
the thought "And pink slippers and
pink stockings. and fan and arose
for my hair-why, daddy, you will
hardly know me!'
II tell you what" he exclaimed,
Joyous in boyish impulse. Ell buy it
right now and then 1t will inspire
you to get we'll sooner!"
She gazed into his delighted eyes.
and her own grew brighter.
You do it, daddy" she cried forget
ting her cough. Bring it home acd
me see It, III feast my eyes on it
every day and it will encourage mel"
And through all the shops that cay
went an enthusiastic man, who wished
to buy pink silk gown for 17-year
old girl, small for her age, 1t must
have lots of lace on it and satin ribbon
And he must not forget the pink slip
pers and stockings, fan and a roso
for her hair; and he gabbled these
things over and over that he might
not forget them. And the store peop!s
became infected with his enthusiasm
and, at last. just such a gown was
found, and the sympathetic saleswoman
matched 1t carefully with the slippers
and stockings and selected dainty
lace fan, tying thereon pink satin rib
bon.
And that night Mary's bedroom was
a gala place, indeed. She had the dress
spread out upon her bed, where she
could look at it and examine 1t carsf,ul
ly. The slippers and stockings she
at either hand and the tiny fan she
fured and unfurled, and coquetted owe;
it with her father. The rose she put
In her hair, but it soon wilted an(
, was resuced In the nick Of time ant
put into water. And the evening wa:
the gayest known for along time.
Every night for over week this wa'
repeated, and the father and daughter
both cheated themselves into the be
lief that the stimulus had improv ;,
her health. But the inevitable reaction
set in, and one evening Mary burst mt
petulant tears and angry sobs whe'
patient Rebecca. the maid. would hav
unfurled the dress upon the bed il
Q front Of her
a "You know WELL Beck" she said
D angrily between her sobs, that ca
d never wear 1t, and you just do 1t to as
il gravate and torment me. Well, I
il not be trouble to you much longer!
@ Her father was In great distress o
d coming In to find his daughter and he
a nurse both In tears. Mary refused
d tell the cause of their quarrel and 81
II silent and sulky, all the evening. II,
b. voice had become whistling whisper
o. her hands and feet were swollen ali
1t cold, but her eyes brighter than ever.
Next morning her voice had gor