The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-07-14


should stop with them. ! wouldn't
leave them. I wouldn't leave them for
tNe world"
"You mean that they'd want better
place than this 10 live in"
"Yes. i think they'd be sure to-"
"Well. then. what ! would have 20 Go
would be 10 give up my shop, and ask
them 20 find room for me; then
shouldn't lose yer"
IF that could be arranged, sir. Pi
consent, sir, most willingly. After all
you've done for me. IL 'ud be migrate
ful TO refuse; and 1t 'ud be a pleasure
10 wait on yer. Is that the wind, or Is
IL somebody knocking at the street
doorY
ITS the wind there's a big storm
coming"
He walked 10 the window, and drew
the blind aside. The storm was not
coming; II had come. II was showing
furiously.
I'm sure. Mr.. Dexter" said Little
Make Believe. listening intently, that
somebody's knocking at the street
door"
He listened. and the wind happen
ing 10 lull at that moment, they both
heard a violent rapplng ut the door be-
low.
I'LL 60 and see who It is. It's
strange time for q visitor"
He took a candle and went to the
door. followed by Little Make-Believe.
He did not draw the bolts. but called
out:
who's there:"
81 want Mr.. Dexter" answered
voice without.
I'm Mr.. Dexter; what do you want
OF ne?'
Il must speak TO you at once. Let
me in"
"Not likely, at this time Of night.
What's yer business:'
Business Of life and death. Your
wife's dying. and you must come 10
her at once"
my wife, Dying" gasped Thomas
Dexter, and he drew the bolts.
AS he opened the door the wind
dashed In ficrcely and almost blew him
off his feet.
The man entered quickly. and shut
the door behind him.
His story was soon told. Polly
Cleaver lay dying two miles away. and
had a secret 10 tell her husband which
IL was more than his soul was worth
not TO hear.
THE doctor says she hasn't two
hours to live" said the man.
81 will come with yer" said Thomas
Dexter; his face was white and his
limbs were trembling. Make Believe,
will yer stop up for me till l come
back?'
"Yes. Mr.. Dexter" she replied. "Go
go. this very minute"
She assisted him with his overcoat,
and handed him his hat.
Don't let them know upstairs" he
said. and then he went into the storm
with the messenger.
Little Make-Believc did not bolt the
door. He took the key, and locked 1t
outside.
Listening n few moments for the
sound of their footsteps. which It was
impossible for her TO hear amidst the
bowling Of the wind. even IL the pave
mcnts had been hard and firm. instead
OF being covered an inch thick with
snow, she returned 10 the room above.
and thought over what had passed.
II was all so confusing that she could
scarcely understand il: only one feel
ing was clear TO her-pity for the dy-
ing woman and for the man who was
on his way TO her Geathbed.
TO die upon Christmas night. after
being parted all these years. 1t was
drcadful-dreadful!
She crept softly to her sisters room;
Sarannc was sound asleep.
She listened outside the bedroom OF
Mr.. DeepGale and Walter; their regu-
lar breathing came 20 her ears; they
had not been disturbed.
Then she returned again 70 the sit
ting room. a secret which il was
worth more than his soul was worth
not TO hear? What could IL be?
How white his face was as lie went
out! What an ending 70 their happy
night.
She hoped IL was nothing hGd-noth-
ing that would hurt him. What was
that? Only the clock striking. oae
o'clock.
He'll be long time gone" she
thought; II II try and read a bit"
Put ShN no,,l1 NOT Gy hpr n ottnptfNO
on the book, though il was full OF
pitcures
How the storm was raging without!
She hoped Thomas Dexter would get
there safely. and In time 20 hear what
his dying wife had TO say to nim.
She rose and walked softly about the
room: drew the curtain from the win
dow and looked out.
The falling Of the snow was like
silen. voice. but there was nothing
peaceful In II.
The white ilskcs were whiileC hither
and thither by the cruel wind
A black figure was passing on the
opposite side Of the road. q black &c.
ure. hujdled up, with It's arms tightly
folded.
II was a woman. and there seemed
10 bc something despairine in her mo-
tlons
Poor thing poor thing" thought.
or rather spoke. Little Make Believe.
her sympathy for human suffering was
SO keen. Perhaps she amt got n
hntp. % -O 20 ~ n ha1 20 ior on