The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-02-07

written by a nurse In the Melbourne
Hospital, and tod OF Ronny's illness
and death. For a moment Jimsie's
brave heart sank within him. How
was he TO meet this added trouble.
how shield his beloved mother from
the blow? He did not know; he
prayed that wisdom and strength
might be given him. but the duty OF
the moment was the "nexte thynge."
Pulling himself together. he put the
letter in a place of safety, and took
his mother for the expected drive.
He talked oheerily 10 her. pointed
out places OF mutual interest, saw
the intelligence return 10 her eyes.
and yet all the while he was battling
with the subconscious thought of the
letter, the fateful letter. After re-
turning home and seeing his mother
| made comfortable, Jimsie set out 10
find the good old family doctor and
10 ask his advice.
That worthy man delivered his
verdict in no uncertain terms. "Show
her the letter? Certainly not; don't
let her know there has been n let
ter. Break the sad news TO her?
BY no means, unless you wish TO de-
stroy her reason permanently. She
is just at the critical stage when all
that has been done would be undone
by such n shock as these ill-tidings
would give. You must evade. con-
ceal-yes, even dissemble If need be,
Or I will not answer for the conse-
Quences."
So another burden was placed on
Jimsies young shoulders. the heavi-
est and hardest TO bear he had ever
yet experienced Candid and truth
full to n degree, he must carry about
! with him this secret, haunted, too,
| by the constant fear that he might
| by word or sign allow it to escape
him. He must not even permit HIM
self TO mourn in private lest the
marks OF grief on his countenance
should betray him. He must smile
though his heart ached; he must talk
cheerily about trines when his
thoughts were OF the saddest. and he
must keep up the deception day by
day and week by week for how long?
But the invalid was not suspicious.
and began to progress rapidly. And
as she gradually regained her mental
poise the mother seemed to waken 10
the perception OF all the tender card
and self-denying affection which her
, son had so long been lavishing upon
her. The pair drew together with
more comprehending love than had
ever before existed between them,
| The mother was unhappy II Jimsia
was long away, and Jimsie found
his own greatest happiness In pro.
| noting hers.
One day she gravely said to him,
81 have been thinking OF Naomi, Jim.
sic"
"Why, Naomi, mother DEAR"
"Oh, she and | are In similar cirA
cumstances."
Jimsie looked puzzled. "Is it a
conundrum?" he gaily asked.
"Well, you see, dear. she had n
daughter-in-law who was better To
her than seven sons, and / have a
son who is better to me than seven,
or any number. Of daughters.
And Tmsie flushed. and kissed his
mother, and felt wondrously happy.
despite the secret that still weighed
upon him. And when at length the
doctor had given permission To reveal
It, and the mother and the brother
, could speak with chastened hearts OF
their great sorrow, the mother would
tearfully exclaim, ut is sad 20 lose
him like this, but what should have
done If It had been you, Jimsie? What
should have | have done?'-London
S. S. Times.