Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-02-24
BY MARY }. HITCHCOCK.


Amos was talking with the rural de
livery man. Angela's sigh became (
sob. How much of her present un
happiness would be gossip tomorrow
A tear splashed onto the bread boarf
another and another. Angela pu
her head down On the table and cried
Summer heat, the time when TO
nance calls 10 the blood blood heat
the period when desire sings through
ones veIns--Angela had known each
and now II was zero
ut wouldn't be so hard If | had
someone else to love-a baby, now
But the thought was fresh torture
to Angela's bruised heart. Hadn't she
hoped from the first that there would
be children at Meadowbrook? Hopes
had become prayers and heaven had
been deaf That was the added bitter
ness to her present grief. If Amos left
her for that other woman there would
be nothing but the long, lonely years
Angela knew. She had matured early,
faded soon, and she had none of Lina's
plump prettiness In her own lean, lank
shapelessness.
And Lima Summers, who had
laughed at the love Of two men, was
claiming Amos for her own.
"What you going to do about 1t. now
that you know about us?' Amos had
demanded. "There amt no use our
trying to go on same as If you'd
never found it out. You'll have to
say"
But Angela had said nothing. Not
then, nor through the long night which
she had spent in the spare room. In
the morning she had come to the
homely tasks of every day.
And out In the lane Amos was turn
ing toward the house-wallling quick
ly as he was apt to do when excited
or troubled.
Lima amt expected to live the day
out" he cried, standing white and
anxious eyed in the doorway. "She
went to a dance at the Corners last
night and her husband was there. They
say he tried to make her go home with
him, but she jumped into an auto and
tried to run 1t herself. I've got to
60"
It was dark when the sound of
wheels reused Angela TO activity
again. All day she had seemed dead
yet conscious Of the underlying throb
of eart-ache-mlsery that had tor
tured and drained her of her strength
But she asked no questions as Amos
stumbled across the lamp-light and
called to her. 1--WE come over after
you; I'm going right back"
"Me You came for mel"
I'm banking on you standing by
her Just because she's a woman too.
Maybe She won't last till we get there,
but told her husband you'd come"
"Her husband Is he-T
Been there all day-and all worked
up, now she's going so fast!'
"rm sorry for all Of YOU Angela
fohnd courage. and voice In the same
minute. "She's done all she can to |
any Of us but l can't forget"
last night?" Amos Interrupted. 81
know said things-but thought
seeing as there's baby"
"Babyl" Angela grew tense.
"Dldn't you knew? She ran away
from her husband because she didn't
want to be tied down to children. He
was trying to make her go home with
him on account Of the other little girl
he didn't know how to take care of
himself. Seems like she didn't run
away soon enough, though, and
But Angela was no longer listening
In a minute she was slipping into her
coat, pulling on her hat
Hurry she commanded, and again
as they walked through the dooryard |
to the waiting wagon-"Hurry :"
In the upper chamber where Lima
was breathing out her life two men
and woman watched her labored |
gasping. Angela moved close to the
tiny nub Of humanity that had slipped
In as Lima was called out. Amos
opened the door MS the doctor re-
turned from below stairs.
The woman on the bed opened heavy
lidded eyes.
1--WE made a lot Of trouble-for all
Of you" Her gaze left the others.
fastened itself on the husband who
leaned over her. 'I'm sorryl" With |
an effort she turned her head toward |
Angela IF | had been like you
You're born mother Could you-?"
The dim eyes finished the question.
'rve been promising God I'd be
good mother-if-oh, | want to bew
Angela cried
"Queer. you amt never said word
10 me about Il since Lima died." Amos
said 10 Angela one day. "But l want
you TO know wasn't as ready 10
leave you as you thought She wasn't