The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-01-08

shaking cane; his figure, after all Its
years of proud soldierliness, had
grown STOPPING at last, and his un-
trimmed white hair struggled over the
back of his collar. He looked old
Cld and dvested of the world-as he
CIept toward his daughters room. Her
voice was stronger. for the waiting
group heard low cry Of tenderness
and welcome as the old man reached
the open doorway. Then the door was
closed.
George began TO pace the floor, TAX
Ing care not TO go near Isabers door,
and that his footsteps were mutfied by
the long, thick hall rug After a while
he went to where Anderson, with fold
ed arms and bowed head, had seated
himself near the front window. "Uncle
George" he said hOarsely. Il didn't"
"Wel?"
"Oh my God, 1 didn't think this
thing the matter with her could ever
be serious L" He gasped. "When the
doctor | had meet US at the boat"
] He could not go on.
Anderson only nodded his head, and
did not otherwise change his attitude.
Isabel lived through the night.
At eleven o'clock Fanny came timidly
to George in his room. Eugene Is
here" she whispered. He's down
stairs. He wants" She gulped. "He
; wants to know If he can't see her.
| didn't know what to say, | said I'd
see. / didn't know--the doctor said"
, "The doctor said we must keep her
peaceful" George said sharply. "Do
you think that mans coming would be
very soothing2 My God If 1t hadn't
; been for him this mightn't have hap
= pened: we could have gone on living
here quietly, and-why, 1t would be
; like taking stranger into her room
She hasn't even spoken of him more
! than twice In all the time we'ys been
y away. Doesn't he know how sick she
is? You tell him the doctor said she
n had to be quiet and peaceful. That's
what he did say, isn't it?'
3 Fanny acquiesced tearfully. "I'Il tell
him. I'll tell him the doctor said she
was to be kept very quiet. II didn't
a know" And she pottered out.
!, An hour later the nurse appeared
In Georges doorway; she came noise
:. lessly, and his back was toward her
e but he jumped as If he had been shot
n and his jaw fell. he so feared wha
e she was going to say.
"She wants to see you"
- The terrified mouth shut with clicl
u and he nodded and followed her, bu
d she remained outside his mother
'e room while he went in.
,o Isabel's eyes were closed, and sh
:, did not open them or move her head
. but she smiled and edged her han,
~ toward him as he Sat on stool besid
ly the bed. He took that slender col,
~ hand and put 1t to his cheek.
&c Darling, did you-get something t
as s eat?' She could only whisper slowl
d. and with difficulty. 1t was as If lisa
bel herself were far away, and onl
able to signal what she wanted to say
"Yes, mother"
!. "All you neededr
~ "Yes, mother"
), then, "Are you sure you didn't-didn
20 catch cold-coming homer"
"Tm all right, mother"
80 That's good. It's sweet-it
sweet"
Or What is, mother daring?"
NJ ITO feel--my hand on your cheel
~ IL can feel it,"
~ But this frightened him horribly
- that she seemed SO glad she could fe,
or It, like child proud of some mirac,
ba lous seeming thing accomplished.
I, frightened him so that he could u,
80 speak, and he feared that she woul
NO know how he trembled; but she Wa
,r ly she spoke again:
10 IL wonder if-if Eugene and Lu(
90 know that we've come-home."
nd I'm sure they do"
90 HAS he-asked about meT
Eyes, he was here"
So ''Has he-gone?"
"Yes, mother"
a, She sighed family. "rd like"
90 "What, mother?'
"rd like to have-seen him." 1t w,
g audible, this little regretful murmu
Several minutes passed before the
Id was another. "Just-just once" 81
oh whispered, and then was still.
She seemed to have fallen aslee
ST. and George moved to go, but fai
pressure upon his fingers detain'
ON him, and he remained, with her haI
ho still pressed against his cheek. Aft
GO q while he made sure she was aslee
40. and moved again, to let the nur
Ar come In. and this time tbere-was
mn pressure of the fingers to keep hll
nv, She was not asleep, but, thinking tn
Mo IL he went he might get some rest, al
r,s be better prepared for what she kne
,ot was coming, she commanded tho
longing fingers Of hers-and let hi
go.
~ He found the doctor standing wi
81 =. the nurse In the hall; and, teuil
a. them that his mother was drOwsil
&c now, George went back to his ov
room, where he was startled to fil
his grandfather lying on the bed, al
:. his uncle leaning against the wa