The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11


invaluable personals kindly assisting me. Did I say thress
Yes, OF course. Thank you. We arc playing for beans
only, you see"
Belden watched them curiously. She sat as impor-
turbably as by Caddy's bedside. her eyes fixed thought
fully on her cards.
And raise you three she said.
Five more-you Will excuse me, Beden. but your
aunt, Krs. Wctherly, is a somewhat unusually Irritating
woman. I'll see you. Miss strong-ah. yes. two pair.
queens up"
WHAT has she done7'
'she insists that Mrs. Moore shall not only see Mt.
Burchard. to which I have not the least objection. but
that he shall hold a communion service. directly, there.
Now, II your sister had asked for this herself, It would be.
another matter; but, unless this Is the case. + always re-
gard 1t as a depressing agent. 1t is a strain, In any case
IT think Mrs. Moore will go through with It very
easily, Doctor" Miss Strong interposed. slipping the
cards Into their leather envelope and gathering up the
beans. ''she will be fresh from her nap, and 1t will be
very short. She has promised Mrs. wetherly. you know,
and It would distress her more to break IT,
All right, oil right. Have It your way. Much
obliged"
Ee took the cards from her and went out.
my aunt is very trying Belden began.
"Oh, many people feel SO about it, she assured him.
Especially high-church people. She only did what sho
thought right
He drew a breath of relief.
You'll sec she's not too tired?' he asked, and a.
he went to luncheon he wondered at the comfort he de-
rived from her mute nod.
He was reused from the table. where the dishes left
by them were untouched for tho most part. by a dis.
turbnnce In the hall.
TITS tho priest" the waitress murmured, and with
a frown he checked her rising tears.
Aunt Lucia hustled through the room.
you must come, Wimot.' she whispered eagerly,
'she asked for you. Peter is locked into his room. and
neither of the children has been confirmed. susy. Of
course, is n Presbyterian. Not that dear Mr.. Burchard
would object-he Is so broad. But you have no excuse.
oh, 1t Is beautiful, wilmot! She looks SO lovely!'
He followed her YEARLY. What did It matter? 1t
seemed to him ominous, tcrribIe-but 1t would please
Caddy. She sat propped up In the bed. Her cheeks were
crimson, her eyes bright. White chrysantllemums stood
In silver vases, candles burned softly on the white-draped
dresser. Mr.. Burchard, In the hall just beyond, was
slipping his surplice over his head. A faint odor Of wine
mingled with the flowers.
Belden dared not look at her. She was to him, In
that moment, mystic, holy. a thing apart. He dropped
on his knees beside a silver-white apron. his eyes on the
floor, his heart beating hard,
X j. j. j. i. i. i. i.
The clergyman entered slowly. the service began. 1t
was all a murmured maze to him. Aunt Lucia sobbed
quietly beside him, but as he glanced at her he caught
a light on her wet. upifted face that thrilled him
strangely. Her deep responses spoke a faith and surety
that swallowed for the moment all her little silinesses
ard obstinacies.
The solemn words grew In intensity, the candles flick
cred audibly In the secret hush. The clergyman moved
toward the bed. and they heard caddys breath draw out
in a deep. s%huddering sob; her teeth Chartered against
the cup.
Belden set his Jaw; it was cruel, brutal They were
killing her. His clenched fist moved blindly toward his
%neighbor; he touched her hand and gripped it fercely.
In front OF him on the wall hung a large photograph
of Bily's baseball nine In full uniform. He could have
drawn 1t from memory, afterward. Billy, he remembered,
was a great catcher. He held hard to that cool. firm
hand.
- be amongst you and remain with you always.
Amen There was a little stir. The hand was drawn
from his.
Come, now whispered Aunt Lucia. and he walked,
stumbling and stiff from kneeling, from the room. AT
the door he glanced a second backward, but only DR..
Hitchcock was to be seen, bending over the bed. Miss
Strong had already taken away candles and flowers, and
Caddy's triple mirror was back on the dresser.
Mr.. Burchard, in his long, black cassock. offered his
hand cordially.
81 am glad you could be with us, Mr.. Belden.. ha
began. but the other broke in:
IF you have tired her. II this-makes a difference,
he muttered hercely. you will have me to settle with
Mind that!'
He hurried down the stairs. his hands stil clenched.
Peter was starting OF with the road wagon. They nodded
shortly at each other.
From then, the time raced on. Incredibly. The great
surgeon. with his two assistants, wasiin the hall; he waa
on the stairs; he was lost to sight. There was q mos
mentary rush and hustle. and closing of a door. Peter
came out. whispering to himself. and disappeared some
where. Tho others, clustered in the library. spoke fit
fully.
They carried her on a cot into the west roon.' some-
body murmured close to Belden. 1t was little Margaret.
II saw her. She waved her hand at me! L threw her a
kiss. Miss Strong smiled at mel love Miss Strong
Aunt Lucia sobbed. Susy bit her hip and played with
Bllly's unwilling hand.
Where's my father? Where's he gomez" he demands
ed. who's that other woman with the apron?'
Miss Strong appeared at the door. She has taken
the ether very we'll indeed; they are much pleased" she
said softly. They hung on her words; they overwhelmed
her with questions. She soothed them like children.
1t grew suddenly clear to Belden that caddy would
die. 1t must be so. He wondered that they had hoped
for anything else. He was sorry for them all. He watch
ed indiffercnty while Miss Strong led the children away
-he knew she was taking them to their father. Later.
while Aunt Lucia, on her knees. read through streaming
ewes from her prayer book. and Susy talked nervouslys to