Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-13

to surprise Malcolm next spring.
Presentiments? Yes, sometimes, - l said startled
why, Barbara"
Because l feel strange, though something
terrible had happened. l was awake ali night, rest
less, wide awake, oppressed by something. Of
course it's all nonsense" she said, laughing half
heartedly. I'll feel better when have had some
breakfast.
We wandered back to the house. 1 feeling little
frightened by Barbaras manner. l had not realized
before how cold the morning l was oppressed
by the sudden feeling that swept over me, that
mer gone, winter coming, and all bright and
cheerful things were at an end.
AS went softly up the veranda l glanced
through the long French windows into the dining
room, and was startled at seeing Malcolm leaning
back in his chair, his eyes staring straight before
him with a look of horror in them, while crumpled
up in his clenched hand the morning paper
For moment my heart seemed to stop beating
l had never seen him look like that before and 1
stepped quickly into the room and hurried to him.
Dear what is it ?" | said
Barbara, white to the lips, close behind me-
You have heard bad news" she said quietly
q" Malcolm, tell me what it IS ??
Malcolm looked up heavy eyed. There
accident last evening" he said in queer, short,
jerky sentences a railway accident outside New
York. good many people were hurt, and White
qulte-qulte seriously injured.
Barbara steaded herself against the table and
reached out trembling hand for the paper.
- Let me see it." she said in strange low voice.
l would have kept the paper from her; but NAL
colin seemed compelled by her eyes give it to her,
and she read the sickening details.
Il am going" she said, when she had finished
go to him. No, will not have any breakfast,
Constance dear, will pack at once"
She spoke always in this low, terribly tense way.
l. feeling shaken, helpless little child. stood by
and let her go her
1t less than an hour afterward when she and
Malcolm hurried off, for Malcolm of course would
let her go alone. All day l waited anxiously for
news. | wandered amlessly about the house and
out into the garden paths; gathered great
of scarlet SALIVA for the vases in the hail. and sat
down to my solitary luncheon always oppressed,
burdened with the thought of the terrible thing
that had come to Barbara.
1t was not until late afternoon that at last,
coming in from walk in the October woods,
found Malcolms telegram, "Whittemore not
badly hurt feared Out of danger and like
wept Suddenly there little tottering
tumbling steps across the piazza floor, two little
arms thrown about my neck, and Dicky
cried a. Mummy" joyfuy. Then he saw some
my tears as drew him close. Poo Mummy"
he lisped in grieved surprise "Ou cryin'?"
No, no, dear one, not now, l said, burying
my face in his tumbled curls. Mummy happy,
oh. so happy!"
The baby face was puzzled as he patted my
hair affectionatelv but he decided it must be
all right, and we had our accustomed romp with
Mummy" feeling more light hearted and young
and happy than she had felt in many days.
Next day letter from Malcolm telling
me of the journey to New York, of Barbara
stony grief that was heartrending to the poor
sensitive fellow, and of their final arrival at
Whttemore's rooms. The doctor told us at
once" he wrote that Whittemore was not hurt
so badly as VS. feared, but that he seemed to
be in a slngularly .apathetic state, as though
he had special desire to get well. l
Barbara clench her hands at that, and she asked
to be taken to him at once, and SO we both went
up, after had explained matters to the doctor:
Poor Whittemore lay there in the darkened
room, his eyes closed but when we went over to
him he LAM uidly opened them, and then his whole
face lighted up, and he made sudden movement
to rise What? You here, Barbara? he said, wincing
a bit with the pain of moving.
Barbara was like different woman, Constance,
as she bent him, all the loving, sensitive,