Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-26

the sidewalk. and holding out a friend
~ hand. But for moment Horatio's
eyes had met hers with an unseeing
stare. A full half minute passed before
he exclaimed: We'll, Serena? So
you're back again.
Yes, I'm back again, and things
look about the same. so far as l see.
How's your health, Horatio?"
"oh, I'm all right
And hOw's Mary"
The mans face twitched. He tried
to speak, but lump rose in his
throat and he swallowed hard and
turned away. AS Serena waited she
had chance to note the whitening of
the hair at his temples
"Mary's as frail as shadow he
said in broken voice. I'm worried
to death about her. Seems like she
was fading away before my eyes
What ai!s ner?''
That's what NOBODY knows, Serena.
Tie doctor says he can't discover moth
ing wrong. But it seems as if she be-
longed to the other wofiG rather than
to this. She talks about heaven till it
| seems as if my heart would break
iCt Nto" S'GIsVil, oCIcHd.
was always as much saint as woman. I
don't know as it's strange that she's
got a little tired of the steady company
| OF chap like me. and sort of bankers
Tor the society of the angels
'How's her appellte?'
She doesn't eat more than a bird,
Serena. She never was much FOR her
victuals, but now it's pitiful to see her
plate when she finished a meal And
| if | try to coax her into taking a little
more BROTH she just looks at me sort
| of sad ami smiling and ! choke up so I
cant say another word. l know she
feels that she hasn't long to stay here,
and she's glad to GO
| Nab: she wants a tonic" remarked
.Serena.
| II wish you'd come uD soon and see
her said the big man wistfully.
| You're as good as doctor any day,
Serena"
| I'm coming" the woman answered
heartily. And l wouldn't be downcast
Horatio. shouldn't wonder if a good
tonic would fix Mary eli right" She
went up the walk to her cottage door
with d luXuricus sense of homecoming.
though nothing but the waving grass,
| grown tail through three months of
neglect. stirred to welcome her.
Whats the matter with Horatio
Judd's wife," she asked the doctor an
hour later. The doctor was glad to see
Miss Serena back. A skillful nurse
who is never reluctant to undertake the
most taxing case. who can be trusted
to obey orders, and to keep her counsel
ard who would feel affronted if offered
payment for her services, is an ally
fHw physicians would underestimate
In long years OF association the two
had learned to speak their minds tc
| eacn other with a fIankness far re-
moved from their usual reserve
The doctor received Serena's question
without surprise. Il guess she's 60
ing to ale" he said at length.
That isn't what l asked YOU
well, then, ! don't know what's the
matter with her except that she's got
her heart set on seeing the pearl,
gates When folks don't care to live
it's hard work curing them. whethe,
anything ails them or not
| II guess she needs a tonic" said Ser.
ena. and she smiled inscrutably. The
doctor shocl: his head. IF you car
rouse her ny, do it," he said, for Ho-
ratio judd is killing himself Worrying
Mary Judd made a beautiful picture
when Serena walked in upon her the
next afternoon. She sat by the west
window, and the light from the after
noon sun feel upon her delicate
luminous face. Dear Serena" she
murmured. and held out an almost
transparent hand, you'll forgive my
not getting up she said gently.
Don't think of moving" Serena re-
sponded. you look the picture of com
fort i'm that rocker"
A slight shadow crossing the rale
face was swallowed up in a tranquil
smile II have very little strength
said Mrs. Judd. But i an quite hap
py as l lie here, and think of the
glories of the New Jerusalem. You
have nursed too many OF the sick
dear Serena, not to see how it is with
me. ! am very near the river
You look to me as if you needed
rare roast beef" said Serena. and a
good tonic
The invalid smiled. you are trv-
ing to encourage me- Serena, but l
is light when think of the joys that
await ME. My only pang is at leave
ing Horatio. but he will soon fol-
low me-
''Oh. l don't know" said Miss Sc
rena cheerfully. "Horatio's not a
hoy, but he ought to have a good many
years on comfort ahead of him vet. -
She was silent for moment. intently
regarding Mrs. Judd whose delicate
face was again overcast. Mary" she
said abruptly. I've got something to
tell you. but I want you to give me
your word that YOU won't breath a syl-
liable OF it to human being"
| Not to HOrato?'
| NO. Horatio least of ALL" Mrs
judo hesitated, but her physical frail-
ty had not altogether eclipsed her fem
| mime curiosity. Well" she said at