The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-24
Bourne

lips. Maggie slipped the other bag under her shawl for Patsy and trudged on her way.
 She did not find Tom "in 1t" when she got home, but the thought that she might was all the sustenance that her love needed to keep hope alive for new day. And on the morrow her l hope was indeed Justified l Having no work out that morning, l Ma ggie was embracing the opportunity to sew. Seated in a low chair, knees l well apart and a garment of Patsy s held at a good distance she piled a coarse needle swiftly, drawing the long, unwieldy thread to arms length. She gave her head an affirmative shake $ she thought to herself that Tom could not be long coming now. He never had stayed away like this before. She had a few dollors put by. If It'd be enough to get a bit O ground in the country maybe she could keep him. She could see him with his hoe and his pipe and herself milkin' the ould COW, tn way it was before iver
 
 The thought of the boy was sud den reminder that he would be want ing some dinner at noon. She bit off the thread dumped her work on the lounge, dropped a wooden skirt over her calico and threw on a shawl to go to the store. But Patsy found no dinner ready when he looked in for it after school. At that moment his mother was walking rapidly beside a messenger from the city hospital
 "Your man aint kilt, I'm telling you. only terribly hurted.r the mes senger explained from time to time in response to the means that escaped from Maggie's lips.
 Her genuine horror of the hospital was in abeyance as she ran ahead nf him and up the broad stone steps. Scarcely needing directions she made her way to the mems surgical ward In the long row of white beds all alike among the wan faces that all bore the same badge of the brother hood of pain, she instantly detected
 
 aside and tears ran down rough cheeks a she threw herself on her knees be- side her husband and covered him with kisses. rom, darlint, Tom; darlint." she sobbed.
 Toms eyes moved restlessly q didn't taste a dhrop since he mur- mured. Home be the sthroke O nine"
 Maggie felt gentle. firm hands on her shoulders and saw a white cap bending over her. He is out of his head now said the nurse. and we must not tire him. Tomorrow you sAall come again."
 The doctor met Maggie coming out of the ward and led her into his of flee. The eulogy that she poured forth in answer to his few questions nboI; Tom was oddly in contrast to the es- tlnate of the man which from long experience he had made.
 When she had done speaking he -e- rfained silent for a moment. T an sorry for you, my poor woman he began at last.
 Maggies eyes overflowed at once, for his manner seemed to forelel the worst. But when he added. Your hus- band will not he able to support yov now" she instantly whsked away the tears Sure. be didn't do that in d good phie," she saiG with prompt cheer. An he won't die on me?"
 "He will get well,' said the doctor, but you will have to do everything for him.
 "Ciiory he"" exclaimed Maggie
 The doctor hesitated Accustomed as he was to the bearing of bad news and to the variety of ways in which he could be received he was complete ly taken aback by the eager. joyous look in Maggie's face.
 Hell not die, can bring him home?" she exclaimed.
 'Yes, yes" said the doctor, but he'll