The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-01-11
LENA's BABY


try window. At the foot Of the LIANT
Amos was talking with the rural de
livery man. Angela's sigh became 9
sob. How much of her present un
happiness would be gossip tomorrow
A tear splashed onto the bread board
another and another. Angela pu,
her head down on the table and cried
Summer heat, the time when 70
nance calls to the blood blood heat
the period when desire sings through
ones veins--Angela had known each
and now 1t was zeroi
| ut wouldn't be so hard IL I 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? Hope.
had become prayers and heaven had
been deaf That was the added bitter
ness to her present grief. II 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 bad 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 IL 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-walking quick
~, 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 it herself I've got to
go"
1t 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-misery 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. "I've 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-f"
"Been there all day-and all worked
up, now she's going so fast!'
"Tm sorry for all of you," Angela
found courage, and voice in the same
minute. "She's done all she can to
any Of us, but can't forget
Last night?" Amos interrupted. 81
know-I said things-but l thought,
seeing as there's a baby"
"Babyw Angela grew tense.
Didn't you know? She ran away
from her husband because she didn't
want to be tied down to children. He
was trying to make her 60 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 door-yard
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 as the doctor re-
turned from below stairs.
The woman on the bed opened heavy
lidded eyes.
"rve 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 sorry!" With
an effort she turned her head toward
Angela. "If / had been like you
You're a born mother. Could your
The dim eyes finished the question.
"Pve been promising God I'd be q
good mother-if-oh. l want to be'
Angela cried.
|
queer you amt never said word
to me about 1t since Lima died." Amos
said to Angela one day. "But want
you to know wasn't as ready tc
leave you as you thought. She WASN'T
the kind to please me for long. l dom
know. what got into me-"
at had to happen" Angela was
humming at the sewing machine whers
she was making up tiny dresses fol
-.