The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-11-05

OF mother left alone in the world with sick child
to protect She had no idea OF renquishing her
plan, although she was in despair, and If any one
had come to her with friendly hand she would
have wept AS 1t was, she was ready to meet at
tack after attack
aimee was not surprised. later in the day. to see
young Pastor Morris coming up the pathway. He
came slowly When he greeted AIMEE his ewes
sought the ground, his complexion was ruddler and
more boyish than ever, and his lips usually firm in
speech. seemed uncertain. But the large hand with
which he held Annce's warm and kind In the
clean kitchen he began to talk with AIMEE about
David-how was Davida what did the physician say?
wasn't aimee growing tired? what could he doa
Suddenly the young pastor changed as if brought
face to face with disagrccable duty.
AIMEE they say you initiating i cuckoo; is
it so
"Ay, sir for David's cars"
But. AIMEE. that is acting lie is it no,1"
ct may be-" replied AIMEE. wear;ly.
Wouldn't it be better if l were to tell David,
Annee?"
ooh, no, no, now sobbed Anne Not thatl"
ma, AIMEE AIMEE, you mustn't cry so; thcrel"
and the young stretched out his hand help
lessly
"Oh sir. it's all the happiness Dayid's got an
he's goin'. Oh my lad, my lad'
There, there, AnnceW
every spring we've listened for the cuckoo an not
one missed. An this year he's dyin, an he's a
wantn' to hear il so. an it's oycrcary Oh, Davie,
Davie.' sobbcd AIMEE.
There, aimee there. dearr' soothed the young
man; tell me about it, Well sec. AIMEE"
There's more" said Annec, only he kept ask
in about thngs-violets an cowslips an brch-trecs
an poplars-an l knew all the time he was thlnian'
OF the cuckoo an not asEin' because he was goin'
xA..-fA
said l thought he'd hear that very evenu', that
everythin' ovcrearly Then he seemed happier
than I'd seen him. an I went off up the hill an
practiscd It till l could do it fair. Oh. Davie ladi"
Now. Annee dear" comforted the young man,
patting her hclplcssly the back-"Annee dco,
don't cry; just tell more"
Then, sir, sang the song in the corner Of the
garden, an when ! went into the house there was
such look of joy Davids face that's not been
there for many a month an it matter Lowry
Prichard found me singin'. It's the last happiness
give him. sir
Il see,' said the young man; cay, aimee, I see
And you will be wishing to do it again?"
"Ay. sir Davies expectn' to hear the cuckoo
tonight Each time might be his last, an 1 cannot
disappoint him, poor lad"
"Wcll AIMEE" said the minister. looking shyly
of the window "Ill be around the garden at
dusk watching, and thcre'l be no one to annoy you
while you are singing, so sing your best for Dave"
"Oh, sir thank you.' replied AIMEE, drying her
tears and signing with relief; tits comfort. But
yere harmin your conscience for me, SIR are ye?"
I'm not saying. AIMEE; I'm ovcr-young 10 have
conscience in things I'll be going IL to speak
few words to David. shall II"
cay, sir, ye're so kind.
And so 1t happened that at dusk, when David's
eyes growing wider with expectation and his
heart beating for very JOY OF the coming song.
that aimee. after she had patted HIM in motherly
fashion, smoothed his coverets. called him lad
door" and "dearie." and DAVE" and all the sweet
old names she knew well how to call hm-so it
happened that she stole out into the garden with
lighter heart TO sing than she had had in many a
day. She knew the young minister was somewhere
around to protect her from interruption Standing
by the honcysucke trells, Swaying her old body to
and fro she sang. The song came again and again,
low. sweet. far away, till all the hill seemed Ginning
with the quiet notes and echoes And the young
man, listening outside to the old woman Singing IN
side the garden, knew something more of the power
of love than he had known before and he bowed |
his head. thinking OF the merry notes and Of David
in the twI room. dying, AIMEE sang the song over
and again, then and over again, till beyond
the valley she the evening star hanging in the
sky Once she sang, and all the spring was In |
her song Then she turned to go into the house. her
heart beating with fear. AS she came through tho
doorway she heard her name called
AIMEE, sweetheart did ye hear the cuckoos
sinsn'f"
David was sitting up in bed his hands stretched
towards her,
'Ay, lad dear, rephed Annee, softly, taxing OSVIo
into her
AN there were so many anthey sang over-au'
over again"
"Ay, David"
But ye were no here an L like hearn' thenrebst- !
ter with ye here"
"Ay, dearc, | was busy
ooh. it beautiful singn0'
"Ay. lad, ! know"
AN over an over again. like this" But David's
notes traed away as he started to sing.
"Ay. dearie, see"
AN neutrality-suspicious. iet-but-Annee-" The
voice ceased for a second the pulse in his throat
tcked sharply against her heart, then his head set
tied drowsily upon her breast.
"Oh Nd lad. 6eor-+Dave" !" called Annie. rocking
him in her arms-"lad. lad dear will ye no speak
10 mc2"
And the young minister. stepping in over the
threshold, that the Messenger had come,