The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-31

always overcame her In the after
noon. and at last. with a sigh OF re-
signation, went comfortably to sleep.
Her daugther.in-law. Eleanor. smil.
ing lovingly, AZ she watched the
gentle. motherly face, waited a mo-
ment to make sure the nap had be-
gun. then she and Mrs Gridley talked
almost In whispers
After time the restraint was les
sened somewhat. and as Grandmother
Peabody's sleep became lighter, the
conversation began to pentrate her
consciousness; dimly at first. In con
fused tumble. then gradually more
distinct, until at last words reached
her that nearly stopped the beating
OF her heart After the first shock
she doubted her own senses. but the
subsequent utterances left little room
for doubt.
"Old Ladies' Home" There was
no mistaking the significance Of that
"Old and irritablel" A tear trickled
down the old lady's cheek. Inter
fering with the children" oh. that
she had ever lived to hear her sons
wife speak OF her So And yet only
the other day she had made a sugges-
ton about the dressing of Donald.
Eleanor's laughing but gentle reply
that the suggestion would have been
timely a decade ago. was now looked
upon as indignant resentment.
Yes" she heard Eleanor continue.
she lie to 20 tomorrow. II does seem
too bad, yet I'm sure II will be for
the best The life there will be more
in harmony with the old lady's whims
than II would be Ia daily contact with
the children. Grandmother Peabody
Is"
Grandmother Peabody heard no
more. A dizzy feeling seized her. and
the momentary faintness made her
oblivious to all sound. When she re
covered. Mrs. Gridley was making her
adleu. After her visitors departure.
Eleanor went about her duties In an
other part OF the mouse. leaving Grand
mother Peabody to her reflections.
and bitter indeed they were. All
the remainder OF the afternoon she
sat and meditated, and by dinner
time her mind was made up. She
would 20 to her old friend. Lucia Bur
bank, and with Ter help decide what
to do In the future. At dinner her
embittered state OF mind distorted the
loving Difference of her son. Ralph,
and Eleanor. into disgusting
hypocrisy to which she had previously
been blind.
The pair had gone out for an
evening OF social diversion. Out In
the hall an odor Of burning cloth was
strong. With a sickening fear in her
heart Grandmother Peabody rushed
to the children's room and opened the
door. The lace curtains by the win
dow we're aname. As the door
was opened burning fragment be-
came detached from the rest and
nuttered down upon Donald's bed. In
an instant the coyerlet was ahre with
the sleeping child beneath It.
II did not occur TO the fearcraxed
woman to throw back the covering
and snatch the child from the bed.
She saw only destroying demon
that must be fought, and with q
scream that brought the nurse and
hurrying up the stairs.
she fell upon the flames with her
bare hands. beating them and smoth-
ering them. and when help had ar
rived and a serious confagration
averted, Grandmother Peabody lay !
On the floor unconscious, her hands |
and face scorched cruelty. her hair |
,inged. and the lace at her throat all
sharred and blackened. When she |
her senses Eleanor, with /
nat and coat thrown hastily aside,
Sas applying a balm to her wounds
md doing what she could before the
arrival OF the doctor.
"Oh. thank Cod" Eleanor whisper
ID. when she saw the sufferers eyes
we're open. do your burns pain you
much, grandma?" she asked. solicit
,usly.
Grandma shook her head. She was
rarely conscious OF her external
'Ouhus- MI OlucI lttlluko bteIHtu
o be deadened by the agonizing, suf.
coating pains that attended every
Ittempt to breathe.
DO you know. grandma, that you
aved Donald's life7" continued Flea
Tor. III II hadn't been for you-oh,
randma," she cried, impulsivsly,
what would We do without your"
Grandmother Peabody smiled feebly
n spite OF her pain. you won't"
he whispered with difficulty. her visit.
ul eyes on Eleanor's face. send me
o the Old-Ladies e-now!"
THE Old Ladies' home!" gasped
Eleanor. "Oh. Mother Peabody. Is that
THAT you thought? You must have
card me talking with Mrs. Gridley
his afternoon about old Mrs. Jacobs,
Eho has become 80 cross OF late.
md you thought J meant your oh,
GU poor. poor darling. don't you
nown tit Just couldn't be you" II
Grandmother Peabodys lips moved
D a scarcely audible whisper.
Something In her eyes. and tho
ainful irregularity OF her breathing,
aused Eleanor to start back In alarm.
Ralph! Ralph" she cried, and
or husband sprang to her side. See,