Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-09-16
After Darkness

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BE had lain IKE that for daye-the
little whitehead ose. silent. her
pathetic eyes gazing without rscosni-
ton. The tiny warm body at her
SIDE. the imperative baby cry. had
failed 10 rouse her. Much the nurse
ana doctors had counted upon baby's
power. but the ysuns mother heart
had srisved too deeply. to turn at
oncs TO rejoicing.
The very appeal Of the sirl's help
lsssnsss had wen fer her loving care
freely bestowed. In the chilly fall
night she had come to the hospital.
III I may stay" she had begged. II
VIII make myself useful. scrubbing
doors n that may BE-. anyway"
The matron looking At the small
white hands had smiled.
II could carry trays. At least" An
nAbeii Lee eagerly suggested.
Then the mafron comforting the
little homeless creature before the
gas IRE In her own pleasant room.
had drawn from Annabsll Lee her
story.
She had fallen in love with q young
sivil engineer who had been upon the
broad road near her Southern home.
Annsbell's hollow. dark eyes shone
ana her white cheeks flushed rose
color ~ she unfolded the romance of
her gfrlhood.
II ran away with Jack Lee" she
confessed. back to his own Northern
country. Ny people would not listen
to reason. Jack was Just struggling
along In his profession. Why, this
highway. where We met, was almost
his hrst eommissIon. But he would
make good. he told me, when we mar
HE'D. And II you knew Jack" the
girl paused sloqusntly. "0hl you
would have no doubt Of his success.
"ss. he brought me first to the home
Of his mother" Annabell's voice
broke rsmulously-"And his mother
was anSrisr even than my people had
been. I--could hardly blame her.
You see. she had sacrificed q great
deal In her widowhood to put Jack
through college. to start him upon the
career they had chosen together.
Jack tried to reason; he plead for
her patience; he would soon be able
to care for rs both. he said. But the
mother was obdurats. Oil she was
very severe. and she told us to go
to make our way az we could and
leave her to her own. So, we found
tho contest rooms" Annabell's eyes
were sIisht again. "and Jack taught
me TO cook.
Il was 90 strangely alone that he
spent more time with me those days
perhaps thaa he should. and business
did not make much progress but
the girls voice sang "0hl We were
happy. happy Then came the ter
rfbls war. Jack and I talked II over
seriously. We could zee that he must
70. The responsibility OF II was In
his eyes before he spoke to me, and
while my heart sank like lead, /
smiled at him.
"'why. Of course, dear I said, your
country needs you most He was
troublsd at leaving me alone, but all
At once I had grown very brave and
confident. I shall keep the one little
ROOM told him, with our small saw
inss I will manage my housekeeping
nicely And 20 I should" Annabsll
fastened to add. "but for the sickness
which came upon me and took II all.
Jack never knew Of that. And now.
because am still so frail, come to
you to beg work in exchange for
slight care"
Suddenly the young wife leaned to-
ward the matron, the strong capable
hands were clasped nercely by the
small frenxied ones.
II must-work," Annabsll said.
"for this IL now my haunting sorrow,
my terror by night and day-Jack has
been taken prisoner by the Germans.
Do you know what that may meanf
It was through the Red Cross l OBJ
tanned my information. but they could
tell nothing further. He is--a pris-
oner. Those fends are his keepers"
Soothingly the matron caressed the
girls soft, dusky hair. II was then
that Annabell Lee was admitted into
the home and heart OF the great city
hospital.
But the haunting terror fingered in
her eyes. A newspapers heading was
sufficient TO drive all color from the
face upon which suffering had left Its
marx. And then one night like q
weary child. she sank into sort Of
waking sleep from which not even
the cry Of the little new life at her
side could rouse her.
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