Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-30


Mr.. Crawford grunted something in
reply. Mrs. Crawford took the sturdy
Jimmie by the hand and went out to
where the strawberries We're making
last stand for existence. 1t was four
months since Mr.. Crawford had done
tap" as he expressed it, and things
We're woefully behind. Day by day
Mrs. Crawford had done little in the
garden. stealing the time from her
work in the house. Day by day she
had hoped that Jasper would be able
to again take up the work on the little
fve-acre place from which their living
was made. Day by day he had an
nounced that he felt about the same
as usual.
1t was hot working in the sun. The
wedding made her back ache. Under
meath all her patience lay something
that whispered to her that she was
being badly used. She knew that Jas
per was not pretending-that he had
tirely recovered. And yet
Seems to me if / was a man I'd have
try at doin' the field work. whether
] was able or not she unused to her
self. An he don't even say anything.
like he used to. when 1 get out. He
used to nearly cry at first. Now seems
like nothin' | do is too much
The same thought, coming to her in
varying ways, was with her all the
morning. When it was time to go to
the house to cook lunch she took the
same strange thought along.
Mr.. Crawford was still on the porch.
Also he was wide awake and the baby
was in his arms. But glance told
Mrs. Crawford that this had not been
the case all forenoon. The baby had a
great cut on his forehead and his nose
had been bleeding When he saw his
mother he reached out his hands with
a little whimpering cry. His mother
drew him into her arms and Graded
his head on her breast She did not
rd = nd bylf
over the child with little whispered
cries of love and consolation. Mr..
Crawford spoke at once. I'm plumb
sorry this happened, Melissa he said
But 'twarn't my fault 1 told you 1
was afraid he wouldn't be safe here.
but nothin else would do you. l didn't
close my eyes for but minute, an
there he was. all bunged up. 1 was
skeered for minute. An most
thought you'd hear him screechin up
in the strawberry patch. l quoted
him down the best / could. An he
was all right again till he seen you"
Mrs. Crawford did not reply at once
She had some difficulty in holding
back the rush of words that came to
her lips. And she spoke calmly: 'Tll
wash him up, an give him his bottle.
Jest make the fire an put the potatoes
on while | fix him, will you? He'll
feel better once he has his nap. It's
past his time
MIR. Crawford groaned. Not only was
the request unusual since his illness,
but it would have been an unusual one
before. Mrs Crawford had made fires
cheerfully ever since they had been
married. But there was nothing else
to do but take his way toward the
kitchen. He dragged his feet as he
walked along and groaned as II every
step hurt But for once Mrs. Crawford
did not heed. She washed and COM
forted the baby and took him upstairs
After a moment she came to the head
of the stairs and called out to her hus-
band. There was an alien note in her
voice.
Jasper" she called softly. "Oh. Jas
per-
Several minutes passed before he
thought fit to answer. Then he came
dragging and grooming into the hall
What you want, Melissa" he asked
THE fires made an the potatoes on.
Best hurry down.
Il planned to have ham an eggs for
lunch she said. I'm goin to lie down
by baby for awhile. So you'd best slice
the ham an get it on / may drop
asleep myself. If 1 do. jest call me
when it's ready. will you? But call
easy. The baby seems pretty rest
less. If get him to sleep I won't
want him walked right up" Then be-
fore Mr.. Crawford could protest or
answer she went into the bedroom and