The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-03-07

People had come and gone all the
week and Anita had seen most OF
them. It was kind of them to come,
she felt, and she choked back her
dread Of sympathetic eyes and long
handclasps, taking the consolation OF
fered with a gentle passivity that
covered an unsupported sea Of bitter
ness. When Mary came, at the end
of the week, she knew the first touch
of real comfort. They sat silently to-
gether for a long while. Anita on the
couch with one black sleeve across
her eyes, but the other on her friends
knee. Then Mary talked OF Arthur.
quite simply and naturally. without
the hushed tones and awed looks that
had SO racked Anita all the week.
He might have been in the next room,
by their voices, and several times
they laughed a little. Then. as the
daylight faded, they fell silent again,
unable to keep the dreariness Of loss
at bay any longer.
"Well, there will be the child. any
way; you have that to be glad Of"
Mary said at last. Anita moved rest
lessly.
''Oh, why should I be glad of it,"
she exclaimed. Mary turned to her
in wonder. "Oh. know! They have
been saying it to me all the week.
Anita went on bitterly. "'You will
have your child-you have that to be
thankful fort am not thankful for
1t. We didn't want it. in the first
place-and now, what do want OF
1t, all alone?" She rose excitedly on
one elbow. II know / shock you, but
l am worn to death playing part
let me be honest with you. Mary, or
/ shall 60 mad"
Say anything you like; shall I'M
derstand." Mary pressed her gently
down again and kept hand on her
shoulder.
II have never cared much for chill
dren; some way. have never known
any," Anita went on more quietly.
"And then Arthur and l were so
wholly everything to each other, we
didn't want any one else. l made the
best of this forshis sake, and he pre-
tended he was pleased for mine. But
we both knew. Now have to 60 on
pretending because every woman Is
supposed to be born mother. But
I don't want it. shall do everything
l can for its safety, but, Mary, pray
it doesn't live-I pray 1t every night
OF ny life!"
Mary stroked her shoulder in ST.
lence
You ought to say I am both un-
wsalAnly and wicked" said Anita.
'.Ah, my dear" Mary's voice fall
tered and stopped abruptly. Anita
turned with a little gasp and buried
her face in the cushions.
; Six weeks later Anita came reluc-
tantly back to life, to a bleak prospect
OF years that could not be evaded or
hurried and to an immediate duty
that bound her to thought and feel
ing. But for the boy, she might have
gone out and found work, work that
claimed every power she possessed
and left her mercifully numb. heart
and brain, at night. But the child
chained her to inaction as inexorably
as he did to life She must sit at
home and contrive to make her little
income cover her needs. just as that
small presence would have to suffice
the needs of her own being. "At
least you have your child" - she
turned bitterly from the universal
phrase.
The door was opened and Mary
came in with the baby on one arm.
We're awake, for a wonder, and
we thought we'd like to look at oul
mother" she announced. and laid
Jhe little roll Of blanket on the pillow
Beside Anita. He is really a mos
intelligent baby for his age" sht
added. HE has all the necessar!
features-you can see his nose quit
distinctly in a good light, and hi
eyes seem to be mates. He's very re
markable, that man." And Mar.
buried her face in baby's clothes 70
luxurious moment. Anita looked a
the little red being with curiou
air OF detachment.
'Ie seems to be a healthy baby.
she said listlessly.
Eyes, God bless him. We mus
settle his name SOON" Mary rose t
lower a shade for the comfort Of tn
Sinking eyes. rs it to be Arthur