The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1911-04-28


heart out with coughing, but If we
can keep her quiet tonight SO as 10
git a little strength, she might come
through by morning" answered Miss
Selma Lue quietly.
at is the crisis, and suppose he
counts on her fighting past tonight.
| The danger is from her heart. He's
coming back at ten to see," answered
Mr.. Alan in a voice as low as that OF
Miss Selma Lue.
And so the pale Blossom lay In the
circle of Miss Selma Lue's arm with
one little hand curled around Miss
Cynthia's finger, and fought her fight
inch by inch-such a desperate pite.
GUS fight for the tiny woman. The
tall gray figure at the door never left
| its post, and at a motion of his hand
the grocery was quiet beyond any pre-
vious experience.
las for me-" said Mrs. Dobbs to
Mrs. Simmons, to whom Mr.. Alan had
quietly delivered the sleeping Clemmie
along with the Flarities, to keep until
their fathers return, Il don't want no
SIGH secret doings over my folks.
think the neighbors oughter be al
lowed to git some comfort outen set
ting up with the sick. Why, when
Ethel Maud most had that lockjaw
from the tack in her heel, there never
was less than six friends in the room
with me all the time; and they GER
tainly helpt me up lot"
well, I'm thankful I've got mine all
safe" answered Mrs Simmons as she
Rugged Clemmie closer, though of
course Miss Seliny Lue won't take 1t
as hard as II Blossom was her own"
mo, course not" answered Mrs.
Kinney as she took her way home to
find Luella asleep on the doorstep, and
all the other little kidneys piled on
the floor of the stoop, awaiting her
motherly ministrations.
The waning moon that climbed over
the Bluff at midnight shone softly
across the sill of the wide window in
the lean-to and found the wilted Bios
som white and suffering, each labored
breath shaking the little body with
pain; but as the minutes licked them
selves away she lay more quietly and
was able to keep back the cough.
Miss Cynthia crouched by the bed
on a low stool, her hand still clasped
] by the tiny fingers, and Miss Selma
! Lue sat brooding over them both.
Her face in the dim light seemed to
Mr.. Alan, who kept watch from his
post by the door, the personifcation
of all the strength and wisdom and
love Of motherhood, whose heritage
Is pain. In the hollow of her strong
hand she seemed to hold the frail life,
and with the humbleness Of a woman,
and the faith of child in her eyes,
she was asking for it from One who
listens. Once she laid light cover
ing over the tiny feet, and once she
bent and drew Miss Cynthia's bowed
head to her breast for a second.
Then came the dawn, quiet and
gray. AS the soft light shone into the
room the baby turned on her side and
filled her lungs deep with a breath,
then fell asleep, every muscle relaxed,
and a faint rose flush on her pale
| cheeks.
For a few breathless minutes they
watched her and then Miss Selma Lue
bent her. head on her hand and Mr..
Alan covered his eyes while Miss Gym.
thia sobbed:
"He's done made us a present Of
her, children; and I've got his promise
to help me git her ready against the
time he calls her again." said Miss
Selma Lue after moment, with shin
ing face, and eyes wet for the first
time. Now l must go heat the milk
for her before she wakes; she oughter
be strengthened as soon as can be-"
And she slipped quietly out of the
room.
But with her head bent on her arms.
Miss Cynthia quivered with SUP.
pressed sobs; the agony had been too
long for her endurance and she was
completely Frustrated in the reaction.
Then a very wonderful thing hap
pened. She found herself lifted in
strong arms, her head laid down on
broad shoulder and warm lips
pressed to her tear-hushed cheek.
And the strangest part Of it was
that 1t didn't seem at all strange
only eomforting-and restful-and
right.
Now, that's jest the thing, Mr..
Alan" said Miss Selma Lue in a
smiling whisper from the doorway.
Pet her up, for she is plumb wore
out. Don't nothing put heart in a
broke-down woman like little loving.
and that's rule to act by fer the rest
Of your life"
Miss Cynthia turned in the strong
arms and with blush that matched
the dawn across the river she
stretched out her hand to Miss Selma
Lue. And then Mr.. Alan reached out
his disengaged arm and together thew
drew her into their embrace. Now,
you're getting the benefit Of your own
advice. said Mr.. Alan, as he shyly
kissed her on the exact spot on the
cheek that Miss Cynthia had finished