Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-10-21

Milt You and Gladys come too," he
spoke to Mrs. Neff. Mother do you
feel like walking around with US"
He pinched his Mothers cheek play
fully.
mo Ernest you children run along.
I'll sit here and watch the glow 60
out the sky. 1t is so nice here" Mrs.
Gilbert's voice seemed tired.
SO the others went to look at the
flower gardens. AS they turned a
corner Ernest looked back at his
mother. She looked very frail to him.
in her hand sne neld a letter, and
Ernest could see the smile on her
lace as she turned page.
"Has Phil and his wife come yet %
Mrs. Gilbert asked from her bed.
"No MOTHER Gladys replied smooth
ing the spread ove-r her mother, but
they should be here any moment now.
Ernest mas gone to meet them. DO
you feel very badly now, dear"
Gladys voice was very tender and an
XiOus.
Don't worry, l feel better" She
closed her eyes.
MS. Gilbert had become i'll few
days before. A physician had been
summoned Immediately. After an
examination he had told Ernest that
Mrs. Gilbert could not live but very
short time, in fact not thru the week,
but that death would come very
easily. Phil and his wife Mabel had
been sent for.
Anything you want mother?"
Gladys seemed helpless.
"Now, please don't worry, dear.
Just bring that large vase of gladi-
olas and set them on the table by
the bed" Mrs. Gilbert's voice was
low and soft. She looked so tiny and
quaint in her cap, with the coverlet
pulled over her. Her hands were on
top the spread and her + rs fumb-
led with the silk
Jack always used to love gladi-
Olas." For the first time Mrs. Gil
bert had used the past tense in speak
ing Of Jack. Gladys could not und-
erstand.
The gladiolas stood straight and
slim In the tall gray vase. The pink
and blue OF them gave delicate
touch OF simplicity 10 the nigh cell
lnged elegantly furnished room.
Just let me rest now. l have so
mucn to say before l go. l wish
PM and Mabel were mere now" Mrs.
Gilbert turned her face to the win
dow.
Tears came in Gladys eyes. And a
sob almost came, but she choked it
back with difficulty. Her hand was
at her throat, and she fumbled with
the pearls around her neck.
Mrs. Gilbert gazed thru the window.
The view was so peaceful, so green
and cool. She could see the Lom-
bardi Poplars along the driveway
Tall and slender, they looked like
dusky naked boys standing there
against the red sky of evening. A
bird flew by the window, silhouetted
against the roseate sky.
Gladys went to the window as the
motor of a car was heard coming up
the driveway.
! "They have come, Mother Gladys
could hardly speak her throat felt SC
full Of sobs. She could not turn hel
head to the mother for tears were
falling down her cheeks.
Bring them up dear and never
mind about the doctor and the nurse
l just want the family" Mrs. Gil
bert did not take her eyes from the
window. "And never mind about the
lights I like it dusky as it is" Sht
slipped a hand under her head.
The sound of footsteps on thu
stairs. Soft whispers. Ernest. Phil
and his wife came in the mothers
room softly. They went to the bee
and silently kissed the old lady.
"You may sit on the bed as it wonh
bother me. Now please don't cry
It is not hard. Holding Phil's hant
in hers she continued, ri have savet
all of Jacks letters and want you t
read them-every one. Reach under
my pillow Ernest. That is the frs
one he wrote me. "She said as Err
nest drew out an envelope" I wan
you to read it and do for me just a.
we have done for Jack. It is so mucl
nicer that way. I don't know what