The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1907-08-24

coined It.
Thank the Lordl' she breathed.
q never expected to see the day I'd
say that, but it's to-day haven't got
to lie any more-oh, Pm glad it's ON
ing on I can lay here and suffer
honest"
A loud knock startled the quiet Of
the little home. With uneasy eyes
Sabra Card looked at the clock on the
m~antlepiece. II was 4:4O-there was
still time for dreaded things 10 hap
pen.
Don't go to the door, Ollie" she
whispered, stretching importunate
hands. Then native courtesy asserted
itself. Yes yes, go!" she cried, but
come right back-lay the baby on the
bed with me-
He tiptoed clumsily across the
room, still tenderly mindful Of her.
At the door a subdued dialogue took
place. She could hear the voices and
nearly all that they said. One voice
filled her with dismay. for it was the
Squares. The Squarel-would the
clock-hands never move, the minute
hand never crawl to five! Was it all
going to prove a failure at this last
minutel
Cant do it, SQuare"-Onie's voice
shes been awful sick. l can't
leave"
Only for a minute, man. You can
run down and back in no time
there's still a chance for you to get
your vote in. No, don't go in and ask
her and take up tlmel-I tell you
you'll be back here before she knows
you're gone! She's better-didn't you
just tell me she was? OF with you,
man! Run every step If you want to-"
Sabra was sitting up in bed. listen
ing in anguish. She had her hand
across the baby's babbling little lips
to hush them.
Hurry, man, can't you! Do you
think they're going to keep the polls
open for you? That's rlght-that's
right-here, take my hat. Now sprint!
Sho, sho, that's nothing, just a little
triie to get her Injuries with"
Sabra Card heard no more. With
a groan she fell back on her pillows
and her shaking band released the
child's indignant circumstances. In
the deeps of the pillows Sabra Card
fought out her misery and dlsappoint-
ment. 1t had all been in vain-all her
pain. For oddly, in her weakness and
dread, she forgot that it had not after
all been the pretended pain, but the
real that must have come anyway.
She might have spared herself the aw-
fulness of it, she told herself unrea.
soningly. It had not saved Ollie
Ollie had gone running to the polls
this last minute to vote for the
Squares mantle man who wasn't
temperance-that Ollie despised.
The Square had bought him this
last minute-bought ~Ollie-bought
him. She hadn't saved him. She
had suffered for nothing.
In the stress of her excitement she
entertained the other dread, too. She
forgot how short a time there was fol-
it to happen in it would happen
They would tempt Ollie to drink. She
should hear his step on the walk and
it would be unsteady. He would
come in and not dare to meet her
eyes-oh, she knew it all! Had she
forgotten?
But he tramped in steadily and hur.
ried to the bed. He looked straight
at her-straight in her eyes.
"Sabry-little girl-you amt worse?
l kind Of thought I'd ought to go
| ran every step O. the way there
and back. l war'n't but just in time
She did not stir or speak. She was
afraid to speak, for fear she should
say the bitter things that were in her
heart. Before I'd be bought and paid
for!"-for fear she should say that
she told herself. lying there. that she
had married a weakling. She pitied
herself. She had forgotten that she
had mistrusted him all along; the mis-
trust seemed something new and
broke her heart.
Let me take the little shaver" he
pleaded, humbly.
He's all right where he is"
Let me shake up your pillows;
they're all in a muss.'
I'D rather have 'em in a muss."
well, I'm goin' to make you a dish
O. cruel, anyway" His voice was
toned with fnality. He turned away
and began to clatter tins.
Il don't want anyl Don't you make
me any gruel!" she cried, sharply.
Her voice sounded very loud, but it
needed to be. Ollie seemed a great
way off from her. She s~huddered-
he would always be a great way off.
"sabry-little girl" He was back
at the bedside. His voice was appeal
ing and tender. He leaned down and
rubbed her hair with a grizzled cheek.
You're all wore out, little girl, an
no wonderl You amt cross with me
you're Just wore out. I don't blame
you for not wantin' Cruel 4 wish
could afford to get you luxurles,