Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-06-14
JinsS
Mother

into the visitors room can
give Won any definite report before
> O'Clock or later. but you'd better
he ready to come up any time.
That was all | could get her 20
tell me. except that the case was diff
cult. They had teIegraphed me to
be on hand, for things were likely
10 take a bad turn almost any mo-
ment
sat down automatically on a
eettle that rested against the wall
nearest the door. | supposed ! was
alone until looked around. Then l
noticed that there was some one In
the opposite corner-an old lady, =
little over so / should say, with
snowy white hair, a pair OF sharp
black eyes and a face full OF tns
wrinkles. She was sitting in an
arm chair, and her shoulders and
head were bent forward.
Suddenly there we're footsteps In
the hallway outside. They seemed
10 be coming near. Our eyes met
then for the first time with shock
that was almost physical. But the
steps passed by and the room was
quiet again. / got up from the
settle and crossed the room 10 where
the old lady sat. felt as though !
must speak, for the silence was
growing unbcarable. II wish !
could do something for you" said
In a mechanical manner.
You're very kind, ma'am." she
said, but there's nothin' can be done
AT such a time"
Somewhere in the distance We
heard q mufiied scream. THAT amt
him." she remarked. lie wouldn't
make a noise like that even II they
killed him"
Your son." / asked. Yes" she
answered proudly my boy. jim"
"Appendicitis7" She nodded her
head. Jim Amt never been sick
before In his life. He's aIiug been
well and strong"
How old IL he7" "Twenty-four
the 10th OF next month He's an
awful good boy, ma'am, and smart,
too,
HI.ook-a~here, ma'am " IL
was the old lady's voice that recalled
|me. II never asked you who you
was waitin' for, Who IL IT OF
yours7"
my husband" replied.
~Pendicitig7"
Yes. II came on suddenly while
no WIS travelling"
lis he as young 40 you bc7"
Just 49,"
You been married Iong7"
Almost two years"
"Oh, well, you've lots ~ time
ahead Of " yet" she observed ma
ternalIy
Have you been here Iong7" !
asked.
Eyer since 4 O'Clock this after
NOON she replied. "Begcn ho1rsl
Yes, and II seems ike 70 many
years"
Just then We heard the sound 81
fo0tzteps IN the corridor again,
clutehed the edge u the settle and
tried 10 prepare myself for the blop
that might come. An instant later
Tho door opened aud the nnrse
stepped III, She went OYER % tie
Old lady. "Mra Warren" she sole
quickly, II have very bad news fo'
you. Your son
Hes dead them"
III happened very suddenly. ~
lftje while I viii come back for yot
| and take you 70 the room u yoa care
70 60"
can remember each of thoss
words ~ n IL we're yesterday. 81
| turned away and hurried ont u m
room and We we're left alone again
Jim'g mother and T. She bat
crumpBed over into her chair, aDs
her face seemed for moment Y
have lott All expression. ! vent 4
her and took oae ~ her hands II
both Of mine and held II for ion'
1 time.
Hes dead, ma'am," she said, IN.
boz, my jim"
Cant I do anything for your
| I asked almiessly. / thought hear
/ stems again IN the distance, and m
| heart seemed 70 stand still
NO. thank ye, ma'am," che r.
uiled In the tone of one long acbooie'
10 conceal her feelings. TIE doo
opened and the nurse came in again
she stepped ~ to me and said, tn
critical time has pared and sog
| husband Is doing yery we'll II 20
wili call al O'Clock tomorrow 90
NAV have q chance 10 see him for
moment" Then she turned 70 jim
mother. shall We 70 - now -
asked gently.
/ sank into a chair overcome b
the message / had received "a
thing looked real that I saw abou
! me. I seemed to BE- AMID n
I painted details Of picture. So
| the old lady looking ~ me intent
as II she wanted 70 speak 70 n
again. Probably the nurse notice
Il. TOO. for she stepped Oft an
| waited for her IN the hall. The
| Inns mother came up 70 me ar
nut her hand on ny shoulder 'To
| didn't need him Ike ! needed n
| boy." she said, fl the same r1at-ei
of-fact tore, but s'p0se things ~