The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-23


ward with tho arrival Of spring
ee---~~~~~--~~-----~-~~~~
not the sudden. YEARLY little moan
that floated softly thru the hallway
no one OF all these things.
Yet Rachael knrw-Derry was dy,
Ing. She needed not 10 know how
or why. Tier fura fell where she
stood. her hat was gone. she had
flown upstairs as swiftly an light
She knew the door. she knew what
she would see. She went down on
her knees beside him.
Her little gallant. reckless. shout
Ing Derry Her warm. beautiful boy
changed In these few hours 60 this
crushed and moaning little being
this cruelty crumpiod and tortured
little wreck Of all that had been gay
and sound ana confident babyhoodl
In that FIRST moment at his side
u had seemed 90 Rachael that abe
must die. too. OF sheer agony of
spirit. ahs put her beautiful head
down against the brown little limp
hand upon which "a rusty stain was
drying. and she could have walled
aloud In tho bitter rebellion OF her
soul. Not Derry. not Derry. no
small and innocent and oonfiding
her own child. her own ncnh and
blood. tho fiber of her being Trust
Ing them. obeyinE them. and b.
trayed brought 10 this
Al her first look she had thought
the child dead. now. as Hho drew
hack from him. and caught her self
control with quivcring breath. and
wrung her hands together in dcs
p~rate effort TO hold back a scream.
ahe found u In her heart TO wish he
were. His little face was black from
a great bruino that spread from
temple 10 chin. his mouth cut and
swollen. his eyes half shut His
body was doubled where u lay.
great bubble Of blood moved with his
breath. He breathrd lightly and
family. with an occasional deep gasp
that invariably brought the long.
heart-siokeninE moan. They had
taken Off part OF his clothes. his
shoes and stockings. but he still
wore his Holland suit. and the dark,
blue wooden coat had only been
partly removed.
Rachael. ashcnfared rose from
her knees. and faced Mary and Mile.
With bitter tears the story was told
iIe had been playing. ms usual. In the
barn. and Mary bad been swinging
him. No; high. nothing like as high
an Jimmie went And Mile cafnc
out 90 say that their dinner waa
ready. and all os sudden he called
out tina, he could swing without
holding on. and put both his hands
up In the air. And then Mary saw
him fall. the board of the swing
falling. too. and striking him Rs he
fell. and hls face iAshing against tho
old miIl.whsei that stood by the
door. And he had no; spoken since
His arm had hung down ioosclikc.
as MARY carried him in. and Mille
had run for the doctor. but Or
rcet wouldn't he back until seven.
and tho girls had dared TO no more
than wash off his face ilitio and
try TO make him comfortable. II
wish the LORD had called mo before
IN, day came" said Mary, me, tina,
would have died for him--for any
Of you
Il owfhat. Mary" Rachael said.
1T would have happened m easily
with mc We all know what you
have been To tho boys. Mary. But
you mustn't cry 40 hard. need you.
I am going 20 drive him into town"
'oh. my God. in this Storm en-.
claimed Mile
There's nothing else 20 DO" Rach.
acl said. He may die on tho way.
but his mother will do what she can.
I couldn't have Or. Peet, kind As
he L.. Doctor GrcKory--hia father
viii know. It's nearly seven now
We must start RR fast aa we can.
fouN have to pin something all
about the back seat. Mary. and line
Il with comforters Wen put hiss
mattress on the Beat---you1i make IL
snug. won't you7-and youn sit on
tho floor there. and steady him ali
you can. for III have to drive. We
ought to be there by midnight. even
in the storm"
I'm fix IT," Mary said. with one
great sob. and Immediately. 10 Raeh.
ael's great relief. she was her prao-
teal self.
And I want some coffee. Mile"
she said. strong: I'm not hungry
but II you have something ready. IN
eat what can. Did Rudy come up
and get tho chr today. for OIL and
gas. and so on7"
He did," said Mile. eager to be
helpful.
That's blessing" Rachael
turned 20 look at the little figure on
the bed Her heart contracted with
a freezing spasm of terror whenever
her eyes even moved in that direc.
ton.
But there was plenty to do. She
got herself into dry. warm clothes.
She leaned over her little charge.
STRENGTHENING and adjusting ms best
she could. shifting the little body as
gently as was possible 10 the smaller
mattress, covering II warmly but
lightly. As she did 80 she wondered
which one Of those long. moaning
broaths would bc the last when
would little Derry straighten himself
and lie siill7
No time to think of that. She
tied ON her hat and veil. and went
out to look at the car. Tho rear seat
was lined with pillows, the curtain
drawn. She had matches. her electric
flashlight. her road maps. a flask OF
brandy--what cisc7
Mile had run for neighbors. and
the chains were finally adjusted. The
car had been made ready for the run,
and was In good shape.
The big shadowy barn that was
the garage was fun of dancing
shapes IN the lantcrn.ight. The rain
...In.l.I - 1890