The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-09-06
From the
Beginning

By LINCOLN RorHBLuM

MISS Zeblah Seagrave, unmarried,
unbcaut'ful and of uncertain age, pull
Ell the canc-bcttom rocker closer to
the window, and, folding her thin
hands~!n her lap, heaved great sigh.
"zebiah," called weak, complain
Ing voice from the other room. And
Zehiah lifted her angular form and
listlessly walked to the bed where lay
q frail, old woman.
what Is IL, mother?" she asked
gently, though her voice had a weary
note In 1t, "aren't you comfortable"
1T jest seems as If can't get COM
Portable" was the querulous response.
If face the window, the sun bothers
me; and II face the door, don't see
the sun; and II l set up, my bones
ncle." And the voice dwindled of In
q whining wall.
Zebiah did not answer. She lowered
the shade to cut off the bright glare Of
the SUI, straigbtened the pillows, and,
drawing up chair to the bed. picked
up book preparatory to reading.
Il 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 l
ought to be expectin' much more from
a stepchild."
Zebiah seemed restrained from argu-
ing by the invalid's weakness. "Now,
mother" she softly replied, laying the
OFFENDING book on the table, "don't
work yourself up. You know Doctor
Merrifield said you should not get ex-
cited-your heart wpn't stand It,"
Mrs. Seagrave waved her shrunken
hands dramatically. "There you go
mentioning that doctor again to me.
Amt told you how l 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 SO weak and helpless 1t scarcely
seemed alive.
-Zebiah petted the scant, ashy-white
hair. 81 am sure Doctor Merrifield does
not want your money, mother" she
soothed, che hasn't taken a penny get
for all the medicines he has given yon.
We all want to see you get WELL"
Her ministrations were interrupted
by the entrance of a quiet, earnest
looking man, whose bald head and
bowlegs seemed strangely at variance.
He smiled encouragingly at Zebiah.
"HOw did she sleep last night. Miss
Seagrave?" he questioned In a low
tone.
Il was up all night, doctor, as the
cough gave her no. rest. She is not
much better this morning"
AS the doctor turned with profess
sional interest toward the patient who
lay so white and still, Zebiab stole
quietly from the room. 1t was the
mirror in the gilt frame, sole adorn-
ment of the bare walls of this sitting
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 mirror might reflect her figure,
the flat-chested, hipless.s coIorless re-
Election brought forth audible suffering.
Eyes, I've given her my best years,
even If she Isn't my mother. I've stood
her abuse and I've given up friends"
The thoughts seemed too great for
utterance and Zebiah sank into the
cane-bottom rocker which creaked
sympathetically as she buried her head
in her arms, her shoulders shaking
with her sobbing. Doctor Merrifield en-
tered the room.
Come, Miss Seagrave," he Gem
forted, patting her head, you mustn't
take such things so to heart. Your
mother has been Ill very long time
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"
II know you have been very patient
he added In a hesitating manner IL
hope you will be rewardeo."'
The pent-up gates of suppressed
emotion gave way. "What has my
goodness and patience brought me?
have become a recluse-even the chill
dren can point out old maid Zebiah,'
our minister questions me what dispo-
sition l will make of her money, and
but yesterday heard Widow Bliss re-
fer to someone as homely as Zebiah.'
What reward can atone for all that?"
you must not let such unkindness
weigh upon your mind, Miss Sea-
grave. We all have our crosses to
bear. Even my life has not been bed
of roses"
Zebiah looked up at the kindly face
In surprise.
For great many years." he con-
dnued, not noticing the interruption,
Il turned over every cent l earned as
a machinist to support my crippled
father and invalid mothpr and IN Dut