Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-03-24
LENA'S BABY
BY MARY J. HITCHCOCK.

try window At the foot of the lane
Amos was talking with the rural de-
livery man. Angela's sigh became
sob. How much of her present nm
happiness would be gossip tomorrow
A tear splashed onto the bread board
another and another. Angela put
her head down on the table and cried.
Summer heat, the time when ro-
nance calls to the blood; blood heat,
the period when desire sings through
ones veins--Angela had known each
and now il was zero
at wouldn't he So hard If | had
someone else 10 loye--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 Meadowhrook 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 ut the love of two men, was
claiming Amos for her own
"What you going to do about 1t, now
that know about u.s." Amos had
demanded. There amt no use our
trying to go on same as if you'd
never found it out Youl 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 I'm the lane Amos was turn
ing toward the house-walkng quick
", as he was apt to do when excited
or troubled
Lima amt expected to live the day
cut 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 60 home with
him, but She jumped into an auto and
tried to run 1t 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,
vet conscious of the underlying throb
of heart-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"
"Mel You came for mew
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 I told her husband you'd come"
"Her husband. Is he-?"
Been there all day-and all worked
up, now she's going so fast"
I'm sorry for all Of you" Angela
found courage, and voice in the same
minute. shes done all she can to
any of us, but I can't forget"
Last night?" Amos interrupted 81
know said thingS-but | thought,
seeing as there's baby"
BABY" 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 90 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 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 a 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.
A4AS "'li'dl On lIle Deu opened heavy f
lidded eyes.
I've made lot of trouble-for all
Of you Her gaze left the others.
fastened itself on the husband who
leaned over her. I'm sorry 20 With
an effort she turned her head toward
Angela. If l had been like you.
You're a born mother, Could your" .
The dim eyes finished the question.
I've been promising God I'd be a .
good mother-if-oh, I want to ber
Angela cried
Queer, you amt never said a word .
10 me about it since Lima died" Amos .
said 10 Angela one day. But / want
you to know wasn't as ready to
leave YOU as you thought She wasn't
the kind to please me for long. / don't
know what got into me-"
ut had TO happen" Angela was