The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-03

Doctor" he said earnestly, you will
come back?"
Yes, yes; within half an hour. Tell
your mother to expect me-"
Philip ran up the stairs. Long prac-
tice had enabled him to move with a
minimum of noise 1t was pitiful to
see the manner in which he emerged,
with stealthy activity, into the creak-
ing loft above. Here at first glance
there was an astonishing degree OF
comfort Odd pieces of worn carpet
neatly joined covered the floor The
two windows, facing only to the front
of the dwelling, were curtained. The
whitewashed walls were almost hid
den by cuttings from the colOred peri
odicals published during the previous
Christmas season. A screen divided
the room into two compartments, each
containing tiny bed. On one of these,
propped up with pillows. lay the vast
ed figure of woman, over whose face
the shadows were falling fast. The ex-
IRENE thinness, the waXen pallor, the
delicate texture of debilftated skin and
unnatural brilliancy of the eyes gave
her q remarkably youthful appearance.
This fantastic trick of death, in life
accentuated the resemblance between
mother and son. The boy, too, was
sharply outlined by hunger, and in the
fading light of a March day the diff
ference between the dread tokens Of
approaching collapse and the transient
effects of a scanty regimen on q Wig
orous youth was not readily distin-
guishable.
''Do you want anything, mother
dear?" said the boy, laying his hand
tenderly on the clammy forehead.
"Only to ask you, Phil. what it was
that the doctor told you"
The voice was low and sweet the die
ton that of an education woman. The
boy, too. though his tones were strong
and harsh, spoke with the accent of
good breeding His manner and words
gained some distinction from a slight
touch of French elegance and preci-
sion. This was only noticeable in re-
pose. When excited or moved to deep
feeling, the continental veneer acquired
at the Lycee in pieppe instantly van
ished, and he became the strenuous,
emphatic Briton he undoubtedly was
by birth and breeding.
HE said, dearest, that what you
wanted was some good wine-nice
things to eat. He is an awfully fine
chap, and l am afraid I was rude to
him, but he didn't seem to mind it a
bit, and he is coming back soon with
chicken broth and port wine, and
don't know what"
His brave words were we'll meant,
but the mothers heart understood him
! too we'll to be deceived. A thin hand
caught his wrist and feebly drew him
nearer.
You say you were rude to him, Phil
How can that be possible? What did
you say or do to warrant such a de-
scription"
He hesitated for a moment With
rare self control in one so young he
fiercely determined not to commune
cate his own despair to his mother. Sc
he laughed gently.
1--WE are SO jolly hard up, you know
and it sounded strange in my ears tC
talk about expensive luxuries which
could not buy. He has often told US
dear, that you would be better caret
for in the infirmary. l am afraid now
he was right, only we couldn't bear
to be parted. Could we, motherT'
Not all his valor could control hi:
tremulous lips. A beautiful smile illu
mined the face of the invalid.
80 you are trying to hoodwink me
Phil, for the first time. l know wha
the doctor said He told you that
could not recover and that had no
long to live; in word, that am dy
ing"
Then the boy gave way utterly. H
flung himself down by the side Of tn
bed and buried his face in the cover
let
"Oh, mother, MOTHER he walled
and his passionate sobs burst fort
with alarming vehemence. The poo
woman vainly strove to soothe hin
She could not move, being paraiyzed
but her fingers twined gently In hi
hair, and she gasped brokenly:
phil, darling, don't make it harde
for me. Oh, calm yourself. my dea
one, If only for my sake. I have S
[ much to say to you and perhaps SO Ii
tie time, Be strong, Philip. Be stron
and brave. and all will be well wit
you. l know you will miss me. "
, have been all in all to each other sine
: your fathers death. But my memor
= must be sweet, not bitter to vol
When you think of me want the re-
I objection to inspire you to do thG
which is right regardless of cons
: quences, TO strive always for homo
] and for the appreciation Of your ow
5 conscience. Ny own dear boy, "
q must bow to the will Of God. We hay
:. indeed been sorely tried, you far MOI
4 than l. for can look back on years
\ perfect happiness with a loving hu
( band and a delightful child, where:
2 you have been plunged into pover1
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