The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-08-14
From the i
Beginning
00
!, 1D11, by the Mcclure Newspa.
per 0yudicate.)
y LINCOLN RorHBLuM


(Cepyright ms, BY the Mcclure Newspa-
Per syndicats.)
Miss Zebiall Seagrave, unmarried,
unbcaut'ful and Of uncertain age, pull
ed the cane-bcttom rocker closer to
the window. and. folding her thin
hands N her lap. heaved great sigh.
"Zebiah." called a weak, complain
Ing voice from the other room. And
zeblah l!fte! her angular form Ind
listlessly walked to the bed where lay
frail. old woman.
''What Is II. motherT she asked
gently. though her voice had weary
note In 1t, '"aren't you comfortable?"
1T Jest seems as II can't get COM
Portable" was the querulous response.
III ! face the window. the sun bothers
me: and II / face the door. I don't sec
the sun: and II set up, my bones
ache" And the voice dwindled of In
. whining wall.
Zebiah did not answer. She lowered
the shade to cut on the bright glare Of
the SUI, Strengthened the pillows, and,
drawing M chair to the bed. picked
up book preparatory to reading.
II don't want to be read to and you
ought to know It," the old lady mutter-
ed. her brow furrowing in a million
wrinkles. "you don't pay no attention
to me at all, though don't know as /
ought to be expectin' much more from
. stepchild."
Zebiah seemed restrained from argu-
ing by the invalid's weakness. 'eNow,
mother" she softly replied. laying the
offending book on the table, "don't
work yourself up. You know Doctor
Merrlfleld said you should not get ex-
cited--yOur heart won't stand It,"
Mrs. Seagrave waved her shrunken
hands dramatically. "There you go
mentioning that doctor again to me.
Amt told you how I hate him with
his vile tastin' medicines and pills that
stick in my throat?" Her voice rose
to shrill accent. "Anyhow, pears to
me he likes to come to see me--every
other day would be enough to take
keer of an old woman, to say nothing
Of twice day like he's been hangin'
aroun'. suppose It's my money what
he's after as soon as I'm cold-running
up big bill like that" And the out
burst Of temper was followed by pro-
tracted racking cough, rendering the
body 30 weak and helpless 1t scarcely
seemed alive.
Zeblah petted the scant. ashy-white
hair. II am sure Doctor Merrifleld does
not want your money, mother" she
soothed, 'he hasn't taken penny yet
for alb the medicines he has given you.
We all want to see you get WELL"
Her ministrations were interrupted
by the entrance Of quiet, earnest
looking man, whose bald head and
bowlegs seemed strangely at variance.
He smiled encouragingly at Zebiah,
Elbow did she sleep last night. Miss
Seagravei" he questioned In low
tone.
II was up all night. doctor, as the
cough gave her no rest. She la not
much better this morning"
As the doctor turned with profes.
sional interest toward the patient who
lay SO white and still, Zebiah stole
quietly from the room. It was the
mirror In the gilt frame, sole adorn.
ment of the bare walls of this "slttine
room" that claimed her attention. The
close inspection did not please her and
quick tears Of self-pity came to her
eyes. As she stood Off SO that the
small mirrer might reflect her figure
the hat-chested. hipless, colorless re
Election brought forth audible suffering
Eyes, I've given her my best years
even II she isn't my mother. I've stood
her abuse and i've given up friends
The thoughts seemed too great fol
utterance and Zeblah sank into the
cane-bottom rocker which creaket
sympathetically, as she buried her heat
In her arms. her shoulders shaking
with her. sobbing. Doctor Merrifield en-
tered the room.
'sCome. Miss Seagrave." he com
forted. patting her head. 'you mustn'
take such things 20 to heart. You
mother has been III a very long tim,
and you know she has been getting
steadily worse"
Zebiah rose and wiped her eyes In ,
handkerchief already sadly wet. ''Oh
it's not that"
VI know you have been very patien
and GOOD" the doctor continued. an,
: he added In q hesitating manner :.
hope you will be rewarded"
The pent-up gates Of suppresse,
~