Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-12

'I want my mamma" sobbed the child, burying
his little tear-stained face upon her shoulder
Lina's lips quivered and the unshed tears over
flowed the brim.
Don't you think you could go to sleep II
sing you the nice little song which Mamma useGy
to sing?" asked the little girl
Then showing low chair to the center OF the
room where there patch of light from the
lamp outside she took her little brother into her
arms and held him close to her, while swaying
her small body backward and forward, she sang
in a soft, low voice:
go to Sleep my baby, sleep;
In his arms he'll fold you
Like a shepherd folds his sheep"
Nestled close in his sisters arms Totos sobs
hushed and in little while ne was
asleep.
Backward and forward Lima continued to rock
and sing her little song, the tears now rolling
down her cheeks unrestrained dropping softly
upon the face of the little sleeper
A terrible dread was now beginning to creep
over her, for everything was so still and dark
except where the suffering lamp cast its dim
rays through the window, lighting up the little
space where she sat,-and struggling on to the
corner fell upon the bed where She would not
look that way. She kept her eyes fixed upon the
window, and to break the stiffness she kept on
singing
"sleep, my baby, Sleep"
Presently a familiar figure passed between her
and the light. Her little heart seemed to stand
STILL she could not move. Then-there was q,
pause at the door,-and the bolt was turned. IN
must belt was her father, for soon she heard
his voice calling out anxiously:
"Madaline! Lima! Alone in the dark?"
"Hush-sh," answered Lima from her low chair
still rocking backward and forward:
Guided by the voice. and STOPPING he kissed
the trembling lips held up to him, and on Toto
cheeks he felt Lna's tears.
"Qu'y atil?" he asked, speaking quickly. anx
iously in his native tongue as he did sometimes
when excited. "What is the matter?'
Lima did not know. For answer she pointed to
the bed.
Following the direction of her hand he crossed
to the bed turned down the covers and in the
dim light saw the face of his wife calm and still
Asleep, he thought. Laying his hand tenderly
upon it he felt that 1t was cold.
"Mon Mdddline! Mon Dieu! Mon Mdddltne eS
mortP he cried kissing tenderly the cold lips
upon which his tears were raining, forgetful o
the little ones grouped within the dim patch o
light on the floor Folding the covers close abou
the dear body, as though they might still brine
warmth to it, he turned to the children
"Combien a-t-il de temps que?" How Ions
is it since?") he asked in hoarse voice
Just before the lamp was lighted outside,
answered Lima, and continued in faltering tonesil
''Toto was on the bed beside her, where she WI
keeping him warm,-and-and she kissed hinY
two or three times-and then she kissed me-and
she told me to be good little girl-and Away
take good care of Toto"
mot one word for me! Mon Dieu!'
Eyes; she said she waiting for you; tina
YOU would be here presently,-and she kept send
ing me to the window to watch for you-ant
while I was watching she-she fell asleep-and
couldn't wake her up any more though trled'-
and then I got scared, and kept watching for you
and Toto CRIED" the child answered between
sobs.
The father said not word, but turned bacl
to the bed to look once more upon the sweet race
of the woman he had loved so well.
Mighty sobs shook him as, throwing his arms
about her. laying his face beside hers, he cried.
mon Madaline: ceur de mon ceur:-c'en esi
fai de moi; je suis perdu. am undone!
Don't YOU reckon she will wake up any more! |
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