Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-26

had talked of it proudly, calling her SIS
ter's attention to its likeness to its tath-
er, then she had fallen asleep. But Lor-
raine still sat with the little one IN her
arms, wondering how any one could see
a likeness bet ween that baby face ana
Rourke's.
Una had been sleeping calmly for an
hour. when her sister rose to leave the
| room.
~ must not be away at papa's dinner
time" she said to herself, "or ] Womb
stay till Una awakes. She has not lost
her delicate look, but then this very ar
tcrnoon she told us all that she iclt
stronger than usual-and happier. All
yes, she is so happy in her husbands
Iovc-as she will be TO the ED so lie
girl thought. with a thought that was
half Il prayer, as she bent TO kiss the
pretty sleeping face.
'"rhis drowsincss is tine effect OF the
drive, | fancy. The sleep will do her
great good"
With these words of Miss Shefford's
in her ears, Lorraine drove away, glad
at heart as she thought of Una, and
laughing n little at herself, as she re-
called that MONETARY dream OF the car
riage returning without her.
II will not disturb Una Rourke
thought. as he went upstairs that niSh..
"Slccp is good for her.
He caught sight just then of the baby
being fed at his dressing room fire and
he turned in TO speak to the nurse.
"Do not go TO your mistress until you
have Miss Shefford's permission. You
have no need, have you?'
"Nonp sir the woman answered,
thinking rathcr proudly how entirely in
dependent the child was. and had always
been, of his delicate mother.
Their don't forget, please. Good
night"
In the morning Miss Shefford told him
Una was still asleep, that she had had a
most tranquil night, but yet it was bet
ter not to disturb her, as the sleep would
probably do her so much good.
And Trenham said Quite right. If !
am gone before she wakes. Miss Shcfford,
will you tell her l shall be home as
early as I can, but that l have business
in Alton. which will take me most of
the day.
On his return he was told that his wife
still slept, and now the tidings seemed
to surprise him-just a little.
NdH II 1T Nell. ut lio SiC
ford. and the old lady said she could not
quite understand it. but she supposed it
was well.
II will sit with her tonight he said.
because it is hardly probable that she
will sleep till morning, and l shall like
her to find me here. And indeed, Miss
Shefford, you need a night of undisturbed
So he sat through the night beside his
wife. painfully awake himself,
and keenly alive to every low-drawn
of hers. When he heard the
household astir, and-opening the shut
the dawn fall broad and
brightly on Una's sleeping face, he felt
himself growing sick in his foreboding.
Going softly downstairs, he summoned
Brent and sent him to Hohve Cottage
with a note for DR.. We're.
II fancy Lorraine will be here pres
emily, Mr.. Trenham,'' said Miss Shefford,
Rourke just then upon the stairs
for she, in her anxiety, had risen even
before the dawn. "She sent Joan with a
of inquiry yesterday, and said they
had guests at Rupert's Rest for the whole
day, but that she would come as early as
she could this morning"
Hardly yet" Rourke said at is too
But he was wrong, for Lorraine and
her father drove over, even before the
day had fairly settled on the
farm. Still Una had not awakened and
Athol had not vet come.
Rourke was sitting in his wife's room
Lorraine entered it. With only a
smile for him she passed on 10 the head
Of the bed. and stood there watching the
sweet. sleeping face.
'.Oh. Rourke, when will Athol Gomez"
"Soon, I trust; but why are you anx-
ious for him.?
Because l want you to awake Una.
and you say you will not until Athol
mo; IL do not know which is best"
She looked up quickly into his harassed
face Are you afraid?" she faltered, her
brows drawn and her eyes dark and mis-
..Yes-I am afraid" he answered. his
voice very low and stiff II wish Athol
would come"
A long waiting, while they two stood
beside the bed, and Miss Shefford sat
crying-without exactly knowing why
at a distant window. A long, long wait
ing, it seemed, and then the door was
opened for AthoI and Mr.. Gaveston.
Il was out when your servant came,
Trenham," said DR.. We're, as, after his
to all, he. too, zane and stood
beside the bed. Il came the instant l
received your note. Trenham, you must
awake her."
1T looks a pleasant, refreshing sleep, |
will it be best to disturb it," asked Mr.. !
Galveston, anxiously.
For a moment Athol could not answer.
One thought was troubling him beyond all
words; why nae not this been done yes
terday morning? why had he not been
sent for yesterday or why had he not
to come? 1t might have made
difference. but who could ever now
be able to tell?
"what do you thinkg' asked Mr.. Cav
eston, again.
Yes; awake her, Trenham."
Lorraine. with her hands locked upon
the coverlet, stood Watching and waiting.
She heard Rourke whispering to his wife
to rouse her by the old pet names
which he knew she had loved-names
which belonged to the early days of their
love. She say him take her hands, and
kiss her again and again. Then she
heard a cry of pain. and--following that
"a low and yearning call:
"Rourke! Rourke!'
That was all. but Una had known him
at the last moment. and her dying smile
had been for him.