The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-12-17

Sylvia had stayed on after the early
tea to help Mrs. Webster wash up ana
nut away the dishes. She was very
ono of her Aunt Lucy, as h called
her, though she was not her own aunt
but a cousin Of her mother-a
slight, worn woman, who stood now at
the sink, patiently, while Sylvia, her
slender waist girt about with a dig
apron, went lightly to and fro across
the kitchen, and little Jane danced
and sang to herself by the window,
her dark head and scarlet dress viva
in the fading light.
"You ought to have a cupboard IN
the dining-room for these pretty cups
Aunt Lucy" said Sylvia, stopping TO
look at the piece of old china in her
hand.
Eyes," said her aunt; 80 I've told
the squire. But he says we've always
kept 'em there. You know how I Is
with your Uncle Lemuel. If he says
he will, he will, and If he says he
won't, he won't"
"Yes?" said Sylvia, ref1ectively.
She stood with her pretty head on
one side, forgetting to wipe the cup.
ITS just that way about the pump"
Mrs. Webster went on, in her thin,
gentle voice. There tbs, up On top
O. the hill, and the path steep and
stony, and slipp'ry in winter, and not
one Of the neighbors but what has got
a pump in the kitchen now. But the
squire says his folks always got along
with the well up there, and what was
good enough for them's good enough
for us, and don't believe anything in
the world would induce him to put a
pump in the house. 'Tain't that he
cares. It's just that will of his.
Once he's set his foot down, he won't
bulge.
"Of course, the boys bring the water
sometimes; but LENS away so much,
and Luke, he's really too small.
There's little Jane" she went on pres
emily, nodding toward the child.
"She's got it, too. Just like her IA
Their, for all the world. Sets no name
for it. Once she gets her mind on a
thing, you can't move her any more'n
you could the side O. the house. Queer
how it runs in the family. The squire
got it right from his father, and now
he's handed it down to little Jane,
s%traight's a die"
A few weeks later Sylvia, coming to
the house one afternoon with a little
package carefully wrapped up in her
hand, was met at the kitchen door by
Luke.
Good morning, Luke!" she said,
brightly. where's your mother?
Hush! Don't say anything! It's her
birthday, you know, and I've brought
her"
She stopped, seeing that the boys
face was grave, his manner full of an
unwonted and hesitating solemnity.
What is it?" she asked quickly.
Jane" said the boy. "She's worse
lots worse. II guess she's goin'
to die!"
"Oh-no!" cried Sylvia. why, she
was better-Lem said sol"
She's worse" he repeated stub
bornly, his boyish face working. 81
guess she's goin' to die"
"Sylvia!" called Mrs. Webster, soft
ly, from the stairs. "Is that you2
Wait-I'm coming down" Her thin
face was worn and white with anx-
iety. "She was better" she said,
dropping down at the foot of the
stairs. 1.-THE fever's left her, and the
pain-but now she's took it into her
head she won't take her medicine nor
her food. Not a thing can We get past
her lips-we daren't force her-and
we've coaxed and argued, and the doc
tor he's tried, and-it's no use.
1--WE just sent her father in" Mrs.
Webster went on, drearily. 81
thought maybe he might be able to do
something with her. But l don't know
I don't know!"
May l go up?" asked Sylvia. She
did not wait to take off her shawl. but
ran lightly up the stairs, and slipped
into the room just before the squire
came in with his heavy, cautious tread
over the creaking floor.
Little Jane lay quietly on her pillow.
her small white face white as itself.
framed by her tangled black hair. her
dark eyes open, wide and watchful,
She did not move as her father bent
over her. His rugged old face was
drawn and tremulous.
Instantly the pale lips were com.
pressed in a set, unchildlike look OF
determination.
"I-can't!" she said, in a low whis.
per.
Sylvia put her hand to ne, ayes
The parcel which she still held in her
lap rolled off and fell to the floor. As
she stopped to pick it up, something
occurred to her. Her eyes Frightened
Jane, dear" she said, softly and
cheerily. Look! l have sometime
pretty to show you. Do you know
what day it is? No? Why. it is moth.
er's birthday! You forgot. didn,t
you? And mother was so busy takino o
care Of you that she forgot. too
Wouldn't it be nice if we could give
her a surprise, Jane-you and / and
father!"
A little color came into the child,.
face.