Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-01

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- treme thinness, the waxen pallor, the delicate texture of debllltated skin and unnatural brilllancy of the eyes gave her a>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 March day the diff ference between the dread tokens of approaching collapse and the transient effects of scanty regimen on a wig orous youth was not readily distin- guishable.
 "Do you want anything, mother dearT said the boy, laying his hand ten1erly on the clammy forehead.
 "0nly to ask you, Phi, what 1t 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 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 Dieppe 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 I am afraid was rude to him, but he didn't seem to mind it n bit, and he Is coming back soon with chicken broth and port wine, and don't know what"
 His brave words were well meant, but the mothers heart understood him too well 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- scription7"
 He hesitsted for a moment. With rare self control in one so young he fiercely determined not to communi- cate his own despair to his mother. So he laughed gently.
 "We are so jolly hard up. you know. and 1t sounded strange in my ears to talk about expensive luxuries which 1 could not buy. He has often told us, dear, that you would be better cared for in the inhrmary. 1 am afraid now he was right, only we couldn't bear to be parted. Could we, motherr'
 Not all his valor could control his tremulous lips. A beautiful smile illu- mined the face of the invalid.
 "So you are trying to hoodwlnk me. Phil. for the first time. l know what the doctor said. He told you that I could not recover and that I had not long to live; in word. that I am dy- ing"
 Then the boy gave way utterly. He flung himself down by the side of the bed and buried his face in the cover let.
 "Oh, mother, motherF' he walled. and his passionate sobs burst forth with alarming vehcmence. The poor woman yainly strove to soothe him. She could not move, being paralyzed. but her fingers s9ined gently in his hair, and she gsspad brokerly.
 "phil. darling. don't make 1t harder for me. Oh. calm yourself, my dear one. if only for my sake. have so much to say to you and perhaps so lit- tie t,mel Re strong. Philip. Be strong and brave, aud all will be well with you. know you will miss me. We have been all in all to each other since your fathers death. But my memory must bc sweet, not bitter to you. When you think of me I want the rec ollectson to inspire you to do thnt which n right regardless of conse- quences, to strive always for honor and for the appreciation of your own conscience. My own dear boy, we must bow to t6e VIII of God. We have indeed been sorely tried. you far more than I, for can look back on years of perfect happiness with e loving bus band and a delightful child. whereas you have been plunged Into poverty and misery at an age when life should be opening before you with every promise of c successful career. Per hnps. Phil. your trials have core to you early, as mine have found me late | trust I have borne reTerses of health and fortune with patience and rssig- nation. Ny present sgrerings will be c lasting Joy to me If In the life to some I can know that my example has been a stimulus to you amid the chances and changes of your career. Promise me, darling. that you vill re- sign yourself to the decrees of Provi- dsnce even in the bitter hour of our partinz.-
 Her voice faIied Tears stood Ia her eyes- The knowledge came to her anew fhat nstural emotions can af tmss conquer sll restrsintn The ms ternity strong within her clauored fer rto -,ow~- fa shIeH h.~ orsnr4,r f-nru