Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-03-18
Ultima Thule

We'll. it was time. The velvet !
looked awfully worn the last time she !
was here. ! suppose that Farley girl ,
was riged out as usual?'
She's cut her hair of short and
curled it all over"
"Horrorsl wish she'd changed |
her pew-not that it win matter much !
to me, If I've got to spend the rest OF
my life here in this bed. Oh, dearl
Sometimes ] think | am going crazy"
III you would only try letting me
read to you"
Its no use. It nearly drives me
wild The only thing that gives me
relief is cribbpge. and | suppose you'd
rather I died than play cards on Sun
day. Oh. dear"
Barbara looked at the invalid with
a troubled expression. Sunday was
her god, and she was its prophet. To
her it was her solemnest duty. She
believed that Fanny's su1erings were
the result Of her disregard for the
seventh day. Fanny looked on it sim
ply as an extra day. to be devoted to
washing her hair and reading novels.
All the week Barbara gave herself,
mind and body. TO her sister; every
night she played numberless hands OF
cribbage. which seemed to quiet The
invalid. For six days Fanny held su.
preme sway, but before the night Of
the seventh she was powerless. Bar
bara tried to make amends for this.
Her soul would have revolted from
~, oh hut sfr
It interested Fanny to know who
we're there and what they wore she
hurried out early Sunday morning
and stood on the steps, anxiously scan
ming the congregation. She always
felt nervous and deprecating as she
did this, and wondered what people
thought She kept an explanation
ready, but nobody ever asked.
81 always enjoyed life so much
more than you did" Fanny went on
fretfully. 1T seems queer that l
should have had this, while you are as
well and strong as ever. You never
cared for fun. Why, don't you remem-
Der that winter when Aunt Miriam
wrote for one of US to spend a couple
of months In town with her and you
didn't care about It? What a glorious
time l had!"
Yes. Barbara remembered as vivid.
ly as though the 10 years had been as
many days. She saw Fanny's eager
face when the note was rt' d. and
heard the halfimploring tone of her
voice as she said: 20, Barbara! /
suppose, of course. you'll go. | wish
were the oldest!" then her own
voice answering. mo, don't believe
| care about It. You can go" Bar
bara had borne 1t all with patience
and had cried when she went to bed
that night. She had not been so well
trained in self-sacrifee then as che
was row. From that time she had
dimly accepted the fact Nat Fanny
was destined for the good Wings and
had given them to her. faitl fully and
cheerfully. loving the younger sister
better for every pang she cost her
Sunday was the sole thing she had
set apart for herself.
The afternoon dragged slowly by.
Barbara sat with her Bible in her
lap, but she did not read. There was
a troubled LOOK in her eyes. Fanny
tossed and sighed, and broke out pCtu-
lantly now and then, wondering why
she had to go on living when sne
would so mach rather be dead; II
would be a relief 20 have her out OF
the way. She had only slept two
hours last night, and probably would
not sleep a. all tonight II she only
had someone to play cribbage with!
That WAS the one thing that could
make her sleep. but, of course, it was
no matter what sic endured, so long
as Sunday was not infringed on. Oh,
dear! Barbara answered with exas'
perating patience, but the trouhl I'd
look 6eepeIed.
At the maid came in with the in
valid's tea on a tray.
you haven't b. ought ne any nap
kin, Kate" said Fanny, in IN injured
tone. She always looked on Kate's
little sins of omission as intentional
When Barbara returned from heI
, own supper, she found Fanny in tears.
81 can't help it," Fanny sobbed. Il
} know you think l am just putting it
on, but I'm not. I'm SO nervous l can't
stop crying"
Barbara took the tray in silence,
and set it down in the hall; then she
went into her own room and closed
] the door
: When she came back, the room wes
growing dark. Fanny was lying in a
! detected attitude, her eyes filling with
Gears at every sound. Barbara stood
: in the shadow, her face strangely set,
. It was the hardest moment of her life.
Then she said:
: "Iu play cards with you, Fanny.
Fanny's face frightened. and then
she hesitated. Something in Barbara S
: face pierced even her seliishness.
) Wont you hate il awfully, Bar
bara?" she asked.
Barbara's eyes grew tender This
/, from Fanny! The sacrifice was not so
hard. after all.
mot if it helps you, dear" she said
( Fanny sighed contentedly as she
t shufled the cards.
After all, it's only the idea" she
E said. There's no harm in IL. II you
{ can only get over thinking there is"
Barbara's lips frightened little, bu;
she did not answer.
D All the evening the two women
I piled and shutned the cards. When
: It was over. the invalid slept peaceful
: ~: II was the other who lay awake
| TN morning ELIZABETH w. REED
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