Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-19

was suddenly checked in the act OF
hanging up a tiny stocking on a baby
ribbon,llne drawn beneath the mantle y. :
John the young husband, walked into
the ROOM.
Not hanging stockings already,
grandmother?'
AYE, 1t wants but a week, lad"
sharply.
but we never hung up our stock
ings at home till the night before
mothern Johns eyes fell upon a bit OF
silten footwear, and rosy color man
tied to the roots of his hair.
And why grandmother! I should
like to know. l want to be sure that
4 wee foot that size will be kicking in
our home by Christmas. In my village
hanging the stocking the week before
insures good luck"
Have you doubts. grandmother"
said the young husband, apprehensive-
The nurse interrupted.
Your wife is calling for YOU" she
said.
John disappeared.
How is your patient by now?"
Grandma asked of the nurse.
Queer indeed. / can't make her out.
=
her mind; yet l don't say a word, and
she ,startles ME with: Don't be
alarmed, dear Miss Brooke, am quite
sane and that rare, grave smile, and
the soft tender light in those deep,
dark eyes, reassure me-
Grandma smoothed out the little
white robe on her lap that boosted
rocked to and fro very fast, and then
said:
Give an instance Miss Brooke. in
what way does she strangely impress
you?"
We'll. this morning she would wash
her halr-shes wilful you know---as she
came from the bath, In her loose flow
ing robe, with a white towel wrapped
about her head like turban, with the
black curls clinging around tho edge
and grooming some incoherent stuff"
Stuff! that's 1t exactly" Grandma
broke in with her eyes all aglow like
the GOALS, but proceed
1T resembled a chant in its one mel
low tone, and the words"
Aye, the words?"
'',rhey were foreign"
"Of course"
And she looked like the nurse
pondered.
Yes. yes, like what?" Grandma
moved to the edge Of her chair.
Like thing oriental and not Of
this land
1t would come: the poor child's been
marked. There! the cats out OF the
bag, now, I'll have to confess, that my
dearie may not be misjudged. lJish.
here's John"
In the doorway. with wide starting
eyes and pale face, the young husband
looked quite distracted.
She needs you, Miss Brooke he
suggested. She's in great Distress
AS the nurse went upstairs. John let
go of his calm and desperately turned
upon Grandma:
The limit Is reached; I think She 8
quite mad"
And what now?" Grandma asked in
alarm.
She calls for a rug!"
Grandma threw up her hands and
sank into her chair.
And she says. Grandma Grey can
produce it'''
Good Lord! all my fears are con-
firned'
What fears? You fill mo with
terror
Concerning that rug"
house?"
ITO be sure. A grave-rug."
a graVe-rug. What does It all
mean?" and John gripped his hair.
What does 1t all mean? John Calvin
That question has haunted me, aye
fully two-t thirds of my Journey
through life"
Grandma! be quick" shrieked
voice from above.
Tho old lady jumped, and fled I'D
the back stair. while John followed
close with the candle.
Now. give me the light" Grandma
gasped, from sheer loss of breath and
queer nerves. There's the thing over
there In that corner-hurry up. else
that sick child will follow, John
STOPPED to gather the roll in his arms
while she wheeled for the door,
can you tell me why you've hid this
rare thing away in the garrett" asked
John.
But the dear old white head leaned
half way down the stair ere John had
uttered his question.
half hour later the husband and
nurse softly tiptoed into the old lady's
presence. John had ordered a consul
tation, or rather, an explanation. To
this Grandma had quickly responded:
VIII be a relief, since occasion de-
mands; I've carried the thing till nv
back aches. Bring Miss Brooke, tits
her right as nurse; already She senses
the ghost in the closet.
Grandma rocked in her chair. She
was pale and tritie upset, but other
wise piucky and brave as a whole.
Her granddaughter's keepers appeared
Well. what happened? I've been
straining both ears, but never the
breath of sound have I heard
she spread the rug out on the bed"
answered John, nestled upon 1t like
tired child in its mothers arms and
went sound asleep