Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-07-30

1
her remarkably youthful appearance
: This fantastic trick Of death. In lf
3 accentuated the resemblance between
, mother and son. The boy, too, wa
sharply outlined by hunger, and in th'
fading light Of March day the diff
ference between the dread tokens o.
approaching collapse and the transien
, effects of scanty regimen on Wig
orous youth was not readily distin
, guishable.
"Do you want anything, mothel
dear?" said the boy, laying his hanf
tenderly on the clammy forehead.
! "Only to ask you. Phil. what it was
I that the doctor told you."
The voice was low and sweet. the die
, tion 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 precl
sion. This was only noticeable in re
pose When excited or moved to deer
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 q
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 he 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 de-
scription"
He hesitated for 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.
I'VE are SO jolly hard up, you know.
and 1t sounded strange in my ears TO
talk about expensive luXuries which |
could not buy. He has often told us.
dear, that you would be better cared
for in the intrmary. l am afraid now
he was right, only we couldn't bear
to be parted. Could we, motherT
Not all his valor could control his
tremulous lips. A beautiful smile iilu'
mined the face OF the invalid.
$50 you are tryin" to hoodwink me.
Phil, for the first time. know what
the doctor said. He told you that
could not recover and that had not
long to live; In q word, that | am dy-
ing"
Then the boy gave way utterly. He
flung himself down by the side OF til,
bed and buried his face In the cover
let.
"Oh, mother, mother"' he walled
and his passionate sobs burst forth
with alarming vehemence. The poor
woman vainly strove to sOothe him.
She could not move, being paralyzed.
but her fingers twined gently in his
hair, and she gasped brokenly:
"Phil darling, don't make it harder
for me. Oh. calm yourself, my dear
one, If only for my sake. have 50
much to say TO You and perhaps so lit
tie time! Be strong, Philip. Be strong
and brave, and all will bs well with
you. know you will miss Inc. We
have been all in all to each other since
your fathers death. But my memory
must be sweet, not bitter to you.
| When you think of me | want the rec
objection to inspire you to do that
which is 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 the will of God. We have
indeed been sorely tried, you far more
than l. for can look back on years Of
perfect happiness with loving hus-
band and q delightful child. whereas
you have been plunged into poverty
and misery Mt an age when life should
be opening before you with every
promise Of q successful career. Per
haps, Phil, your trials have come to
you early, as mine have found me late.
trust have borne reverscS of health
and fortune with patience and reslg-
nation. My present sut1erngs will be
q lasting JOY to Inc IL In the life to
come can know that my example has
been stimulus to you amid the
chances and changes of your career.
Promise me, darling, that you Will re-
sign yourself to the DEGREES Of Provi-
dence even In the bitter -four of our
parting"
Her voice failed. Tears stood In her
eyes. The knowledge came to her
anew that natural emotions can at
times conquer all restraints. The ma
ternity strong within her clamored for
the power to aileld her offspring from
! the dangers that would beset him.
There was maddening pain in the
/ thought that few brief hours or min
utes might unclasp her arms from him
forever.
1t was Phil who first gave utterance
to the wild protest in their souls.
Mother" he mOurned bitterly, II
don't want to live without you. Let us
die together. If you cannot stay with
me, then 1 swear
| But a scream Of terror, SO shrill and
vehement that 1t seemed to be almost
miraculous from so frall form, froze
the VOW on his lips.
"Phil, what are you saying? oh, my
son, my son. do not break my heart
before I die. Kiss me, dearest. l am
cold. I can scarce see you. Come
nearer. Let me look once more into
your brave eyes. You will be great
man, Phil. know 1t. Who should
know your character like your mother?
But you must have faith in Cod nj
WAYS. I have prayed fer VII. na1 ~
| Rheumatism
Is one Of the constitutional diseases. 1t