Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-09-30
Beth told OF Jacks sudden Illness

"And now she said. II want to hire
out 10 Jack. aud ! want you 10 help
me-
"You want 20 hire OUT" Mrs. Len
noX gaspcd. What do you mean.
chld:"
Il know there's not much I can do"
she said humbly. but found some
boys clothes hanging In the wash
house. and II you will help me take
them up II little I'm sure we can mike
them tit. Don't say you won't help
me. for there's nothing ! can do for
Jack IL | st-y home" And IN spite
of Mrs. Lemons objections Beth won
her consent.
After dinner. while Aunt Kitty rest
ed. grudgngly lcsigning her patient
10 his wlfc's tender mercics. a mes
urging her immediate presence at the
Lcnnox farm.
come prepared to stay two days."
Mrs. Iennox had written. She read Il
aloud TO Jack.
II suppose you want to GOT" he
asked
"Oh. so much. dear
VERY we'll but II were In your
place. Beth he said dryly. I'D drop
the dear II doesn't sound well under
the circumstances"
Bcth's lips quivercd. but she tried to
smile
Perhaps II does sound silly. now
that our hDncymoon's over" she said
bravcly. and then hurried from the
room.
lover she said Yes. II is over"
he murmured fecbly and turned his
face 10 the wall.
In the middle OF the afternoon one
of the hired men came TO the house
and asked 10 sec Mr.. Bradley.
There's kid here" he said. that
wants 10 hire out"
Where does lie come from?" Jack
asked In surprise.
From some place beyond Lennox's.
| guess. He says he wants TO sleep
an eat home so II can't be fur of.
Shall tell him he can stay. sir?''
Il am only too glad TO get him."
Jack replied.
When the men left the field at sup
per time the new hand was very tired.
"fIe seemed likely TO drop before he
got home" they told Jack.
Poor little chap" said one of them.
"He amt used TO workin so hard. II
the rain holds OF day longer. sir.
We'll get the wheat all cut"
The rain did hold of until evening OF
the next day. and the wheat was cut
and shocked. when one Of the men
came running to the house for help.
"rhe little chap is down there In
the field. with Jim-sick." he said
NO" Jack said. Bring him up here
II will rain before you could get start
ed"
There was something strangely Ia
mIllar In the pathetic little figure they
laid so carefully on the bed
"If we can do anything for him. jest
call us" Jim said
Jack stopped and united the big
straw hat from the boyish head: then
his face grew white. for Beth's soft.
brown hair. released from bondage.
streamed over the pillow. and Beth's
blue eyes gazed into his. without the
faintest sign OF recognition.
Beth" he cried. my little Beth!'
The restless head turned on the pill
low. and the pale lips murmured:
Say you'll help me. Mrs. Lennox.
want TO help Jack"
Kneeling beside her. Jack kissed the
little hands and sobbed aloud. Then
the voice went on. with many pauses:
Yes. the honeymoon Is over. but Jack
loves me just the same. Sometimes
wIsh-he'd tell me so--just once
more"
Aunt Kitty had entered the room
unnotlced. She started now. at the
sound OF her own name. Beth was
living II overall the WEAKNESS and
hcartache Aunt Hitty." she walled.
i've tried SO hard TO please her-so
hard she doesn't love me-she never
Will"
The tears ralned down Aunt IIitty's
face. Il didn't know she said. II
never realized" All that night she
watched with Jack beside Beth's bed.
while the rain beat against the win
dows. and the wind moaned through
the trees. But when day dawned. all
was still; the sunlight touched Beth's
face and Weakened her. Her eyes
sought Jacks lnlulringly. then rested
there, IN sweet content
II dreamed" she said, while he held
her tcnderly I'm his strong arms. ''I
dreamed that our honeymoon was just
beginning" And Jack said reverently.
please God. II is"