Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-11-08
The Cup Of
Water
BY HoNoRE wlILsIE
Copyright. 100. b. Ruby Douglas
BY HoNoRE wIILslE

WIN tie ltNtilnu udtiu%, lDrstu utl
long legs about until the bedclothes
were n hopeless tangIe and then lay
still. The little room was deadly close
with the air that smelled OF long sick.
ness and OF the cooking OF bacon and
corn cake In the adjoining kitchen.
Outside. through the tightly closed
window. he could see shreds Of white
clouds scuddlng across the blue. For
days II had been a matter OF vital I'M
porfance 10 him lest the green branches
that tossed so continuously across the
lower sash catch and hold the wisps OF
white as the upper twigs scratched
against the blue. but now. as he tossed
In the misery OF his fever, not even the
scud Of the clouds mattered. He want.
ed water-just drink. n single half
cup. lust a drop on his swollen tongue.
Again and again he struggled 10 pull
himself from the bed. At each whin-
ing shrek OF the corded four poster
old Mrs. Frazee came 10 the door. corn
cob pipe In mouth. and tucked him
kindly but firmly back.
"You sure can't have no water-not
till the fever breaks. It's the only way
20 break Up one OF these long runs"
Esterly looked up into the kind old
face with his fever sick eyes.
Il know you are trying 10 be good TO
q stranger. but II only you would send
for a doctor And. for heavens sake.
just little waterF'
The old woman looked at Esterly
with all the horror In her face that the
suggestion OF a physician brings TO
backwoodsman Laws" she said. ''it's
thirty miles 10 a doctor. and We'll have
you al cured by the time one could
get here! You have nothing but n run
OF fever. Me and my old man are glad
10 take care Of you"
Again she tucked the coverings about
him. My she said. "ain't you n fine
big young fellow"
Esterly. like a child In his weakness
and semldelirium. lay quietly till the
old woman left the room. Then again
the scuddlng clouds caught his eye.
He wondered weakly how many days
II had been since he had come into
these Tennessee mountains 10 hunt.
Old Frazee had found him crazy with
fever and had brought him TO his back
woods cabin. a thousand miles from
anywhere. and with the insistent hos
pitalIty OF their kind the old man and
his wife were nursing him In their own
prlmeval way. And in all this time no
water; nothing but bowlfuls Of thoro
wort tea. black and bitter as quinine,
and nj mealtIme corn cakes with more
thorowOrt tea.
With difficulty he turned aud looked
out the door into the kitchen Old Mrs.
Frazee was tying on her sunbonnet.
After she had finished and relighted
her pipe she came In 10 Esterly's bed.
side and looked down at him, leisurely
pulling the pipe as she felt his fore
head with hand hard and knotted as
a mans Then. seeing that his eyes
seemed clear. she said:
I've got to 90 over TO JACKSONVILLE 10
meet my girl she's been to school In
Nashville for four years. aud ! haven't
seen her In that time. But now she's
home for good. III bring some more
this vert back Your fever's worse
than ever. Remember. now. us no use
for you TO try to get the water Amt
any nearer N the spring. Aud remem-
Der II you do drink any it'll settle
you"
Lhen with a motherly gesture she
snbothed the covers about his shout
ders and he heard her heavy boots
dumping out over the back stoop.
Then again he went of into dellrium.
tossed and turned and called for wa
ter. After awhile he was conscious
that the sunset was lighting up the
tons OF the trees and that the clouds
were no longer white fiecks. but long
streamers OF purple aud gold. He lis
tened lntently. No sound came from
the kitchen. Mrs. Frazee had not yet
returned. With a supreme effort he
threw Off the bedclothes and staggered
toward the kitchen door.
'The spring" he thought. "the spring.
the spring. Aud then black mist
enveloped him aud he fell.
After long time he felt himself lift
ed and put into bed. Then he heard Il
woman's voice. young. soft voice
saying.
Poor fellow. poor fellow! Heavens
mother. what air! Open the window
father"
Then Mrs. Frazee's voice protested.
"No. no. Rose: no drafts. He'll catch.
cold on top OF IL all"
Then there was the sound Of win
dow opening. aud with the sound he
opened his eyes. The candle was on
the shelf. just as usual, but instead OF
burning straight upward, with a long.
yellow name. Il spluttered and flicker
ed In a wave Of air that Estcrly drew
into his lungs as though he never could
sion. He looked up. Bending over him.
soft and dim in the uncertain light,
was a woman's face. with the sweet
ness and clusiveness Of Madonna.
water he gnsped. The girl turned
quickly. Mother" she cried, you
surely have not been trying that worn.
out theory"
The old woman drew up her gaunt
figure. ITS the way ! was brought
a.. t,rua