The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1913-02-12

dinin' ROOM"
you must be tired to DEATH" said
Mrs. Varney to Miss Kittridge. looking
at the white face of the other woman.
Her brother had been killed few
days before. but the clods had scarce
ly ratified down upon his coffin before
she was theoretically at work again
for other women's brothers.
mo, no." she said bravely; land our
tiredness is nothing compared to the
WEAKNESS of our men. We are going
to stay late tonight, Mrs. Varney, II
you will let us. There's SO many
more wounded come in 1t won't do to
stop now. We have found some old
linen that will make splendid band
ages, and"
MY dear girl" said the matron,
stay as long as you possibly can.
will see II Martha can't serve you
something to eat after q while. don't
believe there II any tea left In the
house"
Bread and butter will be . feast"
said Miss Kittridge.
And I don't believe there II much
butter either" smiled the older
woman.
well, It doesn't matter" said the
other. Ts-is your son-is there any
changer
Not for the better" was the reply.
And has the surgeon seen him this
EVENING"
Not tonight"
why notf" exclaimed Miss Kilt
Tides in great surprise. Surely his
condition II sufnciently critical to de-
mand more than one brief visit in the
morning"
Il can't ask him to come twice with
so many waiting for him." said Mrs.
varney.
But they would not refuse you.
Mrs. varney." said Miss Kittridss
quickly. There's that man going back
to the hospital. he's in the dining
room yet I'll call him and send word
that"
She started impulsively toward the
door. but Mr.. varney caught her BY
the arm
NO" she said firmly; Il can't let
you"
mot for your own sonf"
Il am thinking OF the sons of other
mothers. The surgeon has done all
that he can for him. And think how
many other sons would have to be neg
lected II he visited mine twice. He
will come again tomorrow"
The second woman stood looking at
her In mingled sympathy and amaze
ment. and there was a touch OF pride
in her glance. too. She was proud OF
her sex. and she had a right to be
there in Richmond that spring, II
ever.
Il understand" said Miss Rittridge
at last. II SUPPOSE you ere right"
They stared at each other, white.
faced. a moment, when there entered
TO them youth and beauty incarnate.
There was enough resemblance be-
tween the pale, white-haired mother
and the girlish figure In the doorway
to proclaim their relationship. The
girls cheek had lost some of its bloom
and some of Its roundness. There was
too much that was appalling and fear
ful In and about Richmond then not
to leave Its mark even upon the most
youthful and the most buoyant, yet
things did not come home to the young
a. they did to those older. She was
still lovely picture, especially in the
soft radiance of the candles. She car
ried her hat in her hand. The flowers
upon 1t were assuredly those of yes
ter-year. It would not have passed
muster as the mode anywhere except
In besieged Richmond: and her dress.
although 1t fitted her perfectly. was
worn and faded and had been turned
and patched and altered until It was
quite beyond further change, vet she
wore 1t as airily as II 1t had been tbs.
sue Of silver or cloth of gold.
The mothers face frightened.
Edith. DEAR" she exclaimed, how
late you arei 1t is after eight O'Clock.
You must be tired out"
II am not tired at ALL" answered the
girl cheerily. 81 have not been at the
hospital all afternoon; this is my day
on. How II Howard?"
7 wish I could say just the same,
but he seems q little worse"
The girls face went suddenly grave.
She stepped over to her mother, took
her hand and patted 1t softly.
'Is there nothing you can do?"
my DEAR" said her mother. How.
ard-we-are all in Gods hands"