The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-06-05

Things do happen in lunches.
luf Jim would hay Last night Mrs.
! selwin went 90 bed apparently in
her usual health. and this morning
when her maid wen, 10 call her. 1T
tie book. she was lying peacefully
asleep-forever.
Strange as IL may seem. this had
tho effect OF bringing Dick out OF
his incohercnt state more than any.
thing else. Early In the morning
10 awokc quite rational. went In
to see him and he held out HIS
lhand--or rather he tried to hold
out his hand. but IL dropped 10 the
bed. he was 80 weak--and smiled
/, his old crooked smile
Il Just then the nurse who had
been out OF the room called me 10
the door and told me that dear
Mrs SclNin was dead. Shall
| tell Dick7' asked
Ms voice carried 10 him. and he
said. shall tell Dick WHAT"
The nurse nodded 10 me. and
v ent up 20 his bed and said. Dick.
Airs. Sclwin died last night"
II lie seemed 10 get whittier. as tho
lie heart had stopped beating. and
then he said. Tell me about II.
Iargie.'
There Is nothing 10 tell. Dick"
III answered Dear Mrs Selwin
went TO bed rather late last night
For long time sat with her In
her room. and she told me lot
about her girlhood and her early
married life with Mr.. Selwin. She
seemed physically very we'll indeed.
but all thru her talk there was n
homesick feeling which finally she
voiced coneretely.
Margie. she said. I want TO
20 All my friends have left me
all but YOU and Dick--and ] am
homesick for them. dear
Then | helped her to undress
and bent down and kissed her
Dear child. she said. you and Dick
have made mo very happy But
for you would have been entirely
alone in my old age Margie. only
you who are his wife. can under.
stand how good Dick has been to
me. No son could have been kind.
or. and yop are IN truth my hearts
I daughter.
Then. Dick dear. left her. and
she must have just slept her life
away. for the nurse says she did
not stir AMI was smiling peacefully
when she was found this morning"
Tears rolled down Dicks thin
! cheeks | knew that he cared
much more for Mrs Selwin than
he ever had for his own mother.
"Margie," he said. II can never
I tell you what that dear woman was
To mo. While you were III so long,
she was my anchor and my hope.
/ But for her think that many
times | would have given up in
despair
He was silent for quite a few
moments. and then he said. Il am
afraid. Msrgie, II was all mistake |
after all"
did not speak. altho knew
what he meant. was afraid he !
would think was only curious II |
take?" and yet | did not want him |
tc think ! did not understand. SO
| took his poor wasted hand in mine |
and pressed IL.
lie looked up gratefully and
whispered You see. MarEie. | tool
into my own hands the prerogativr
of pronouncing life or death.
thought In my arrogance that was
absolutely necessary to Mrs. Sci
vIn. TO tho business and to you,
dear. Fat, has taken this way 10
punish my arrogance.
Mrs, Selwin slips away into the
! Great Beyond. Jim does Just as
well with he business If not bet.
ter than land you, Margie"-his
owes eagerly questioned mo.
Again ! pressed his hand. for |
simply could not speak.
Dick sighed. Even You do not
need me my more" he said
| | found my voice. Every one
reeds you. Dick"
i Perhaps was his comment.
Just as every one Is supposed 10
be needed in this world until he
goes into the next. and the need is
filled by some one else"
Ito be continued)