The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-08-27

She turned her grave eyes on him. The
ilIimitable love in them dazzled him. His
heart plunged 90.
II wouldn't think much of you" she
said, If you didn't stick by your mother
after all she's done for you. My mother
often told me before she died how strong
and pretty Mis- Carney was when she
first come out to Nebraska. She said
how nice she KEEP you an Dick-aIwayS
good clothes an the best of everything
for you, when she didn't have a stun
dress to her back I'll wait for you.
Dan"
"Tinar' he cried. "Tina" he ventured
again But the pain in his throat pre-
cluded speech. He yelled to the horses
They forged ahead.
Suddenly Tina leaned observation-disclosures
his arm.
Look. Dan: look! What's wrong? The
children are running down the BLUM.
They're comm this way. An your father
he's beckonin'! There's Mis- Harrowsby
Il know her cape-an Mis- Peterson.
Hurry-hurryf'
'Oh, my Godr' muttered Dan.
The world seemed to reel away from.
him. Tina's hand steadied him. Tina's
voice recalled him. All at once he was
standing up-was flashing the horses.
II wish I'd taken herr" the girl heard
him cry II wish 10 God I'd taken heri
Hush Dan, Hush. dear. 1t viii be
all right"
some ore was at the horses heads He
hurled himself out of the buggy-was In
the house.
1--WE don't know just how 1t happened"
)one of the whispering group in the kitch-
Gen was saying. She was alone when the
>storm came up
"She went out to drive the young calves.
sunder shelter interposed another.
} "A loose scantlin struck her on the
.side,' volunteered a third. She amt
been real strong of late anyhow. That
heart troubles awful unreliable. The doc
tor? Can't git him. He's over In Kan
sas. Mis- Peterson knows well as him.
though. She lows there amt anythin'
to be done"
Dan pushed by them into the little
poor best bedroom. His stepmother lay
in the pine bedstead. The patchwork
quilt was drawn to her chin. He fell
on his knees beside her. His head drop
ped on his elinched hands. His shoulders
were heaving. She lifted one weak arm
and laid it around his neck.
Look at-me-Dan."
He lifted his haggard eyes to hers,
which were sweet and luminous.
Dan" went on the voice. which
seemed to come from distance. I'm
She is dear-she is good-like her mother
before her"
''Mother-she is here
'tYes-I can see her now. 7 am glad
very glad. But-Dan.''
- A woman came in, insisting the sufferer
should not speak. The work-worn hand
was imperious then as any which ever
swayed scepter. At its light moticn
the intruder left the room.
Dan-where are you? Listen
Il am listening, mother"
Don't make Tina's life-too hard,
Women are not fitted-to bear-as much s
as-men- Observation-Disclosures. Men
love women. only-they-don't understand
that a woman isn't aiways-well-or hap
py-just because she keeps on her-feet-
and doesn't-complain. And let her know
YOU"
Grayness swept over her face like an
obliterating billow.,
Mother he sobbed hoarsely. Moth
, err
The bed shook to the beat of his
breast
Little DAN she was saying softly
mol can't think he's my stepson- He's
my boy" The hand on his head moved
caressingly ''Such pretty-pretty eurls.
My boy-the only boy I ever had"
Then she was whispering about Ruby.
the little sister who had died when she
wasn't but eight. The little child who
had loved all howers-to whom the weeds
were flowers.