Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-20
The Tonic,

town., ana SHE experienced uiStiiCI
sensation of surprise when she stepped
from the afternoon accommodation TO
find the small, weatherbeaten station
Just as she had left it, with Sllas Por-
ter sitting on a truck and chewing to-
bacco as if he had 30, cone more than
shift his quid since ler departure
Even the school children whom she
passed on her wa home and who
called gay greeting from across the
street did not seem to have grown APP
preciably taller. And yet the three
months, which had seemed so endless
i'm their slow passing, were hardly
sufficient tn account for the change in
HOratio Judd.
They had met almost at her cot
tage door and she had waited for his
welcome, depoSiting her telescope on
the sidewalk, and holding out friend
ly hand But for moment Horatios
eyes had met hers with an unseeing
stare A full half minute passed before
he exclaimed: well, 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 a change to note the whitening OF
the hair SlSsis temples.
"Mary's as frail as a shadow he
SAID in broken voice. I'm worried
to death about her. Seems like she
was fading away before my eyes"
What ails ner?''
That's what nobody knows, Serena.
TIE doctor says he cant discover moth
ing wrong. But it seems as If she be-
longed to the other world rather than
to this. She talks about heaven till it
seems as if my heart would break.
You know yourself, Serena. that Mary
was always as much saint as woman. i
, don't know as it's strange that she's
got little tired of the steady company
of chap like me, and sort of bankers
lor the society of the angels"
'How's her Appetite
she doesn't eat more than a bird,
Serena. She never was much FOR her
victuals, but now it's pitful to see her
plate when she's finished a meal. And
if l try to coax her into taking a little
more broth. she Just looks at me sort
of sad ami smiling and ] choke up so l
can't say another word. | know she
feels that she hasn't long to stay here,
and she's glad to 60
"Mabc she wants a tonic,' remarked
Serena.
II wish you'd come IN 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. L shouldn't wonder if a good
tonic would fix Mary ali right" She
went up the walk to her cottage door,
with Il luxurious sense of homecoming.
though nothing but the waving grass,
grown tall through three months of
neglect, stirred to welcome her.
whats the matter with Horatio
Judd's wifeo'' 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
few physicians would underestimate.
In long years of association the two
had learned to speak their minds to
each other with franknesS far re-
moved from their usual reserve.
The doctor received Serena's question
without surprise. VI guess she's GO
ing to die" he said at length.
THAT isn't what I asked YOU
well, then. | don't know what's the
matter with her except that she's got
her heart set on seeing the pearly
gates When folks don't care to live
it's hard work curing them, whether
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 can
| rouse her up. do it," he said, for Ho-
| ratio Judd is killing himself worrying"
| Mary Judd made beautiful picture
when Serena walked in upon her the
next afternoon. She sal 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 in that rocker"
A slight shadow crossing the rale
face was swallowed up in TRANQUIL
smile. Il have very little strength -
said Mrs. Judd. But / an quite hap
glores of the New Jerusalem. You
have nursed too many of the sick,
dear Serena, not to see how it is with