San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-06
CHAPTER XXXVH
in VALLEY OF THE SHADOW


and warmth. Her mother was no
dead. She turned to the doctor, bu
found herself unable TO speak.
His next word fell like n club beat
ing down against one from the dark
She has indomitable viii. There is {
chance"
HOnly-s chancep
The doctor looked at her grayely
He was the heart specialist Andrew
had brought 10 care for Margaret il
the months of convalescence after theli
arrival from the Butte Valley.
Eyes. Nora Lee, but chance Is
something TO fight with. Don't give
way. Don't alarm her with the slight
est show Of fear. Poor child-lt Is
your time to be strong. You must
forget yourself, Nora Lee, and help me
save your mother"
SPARE HER"
She tried to answer with brave,
auie, smile: 81 will! Tel me what to
do. She is not to die"
Il have brought a. nurse. But she
is asking for you. Go in when you're
calm. But spare her. Spare even her
words"
Even her words-Nora Lee went
into her room, her heart so dizzied tha.
it whirled like something mad against
her throat. She set the magazine on
her bureau: she took off the little ring
and set il there, too. Her mother, who
looked so beautiful with the flush on
her cheeks. and her perfect lips cared
in faint crimson; her mother in the
next room-dying.
But she dare not cry. She must be
strong. A sense Of unreality; of NOV
ing in some strange, cold vacuum
held her. A voice came through this
softly: 'Your mother knows you have
come. She wants you."
"Yes-I'm coming" She smiled
and followed the nurse TO Margarets
room.
YOU'RE NOT AFRAID"
Margaret was sitting up in bed.
propped BY pillows. Her beautiful
eyes were closed. A waxy pallor
framed the blush, parted lips-a waxy
CLEAN made her nose and cheeks un-
earthly in their delicacy. Her hand
turned. She mumured family: "Gyp-
sy girl"
Nora Lee felt suddenly that she was
two persons; one who screamed with
in the other: one who rushed with a
Wild cry and folded her mother in her
arms, And this other who was walk
ing serenely to the bed; who was now
pushing the gold-brown hair and kiss
ing Margaret's forehead; who was
saying with infinite gentleness: Moth
err. darling-no, you mustn't try to
talk. Rest, dearest. Tomorrow We
can talk"
A glad peace dropped on Margsret's
face. TIE short, gasping breaths com
ing at such long. frightening intervals
grew easier. After long moments she
said happily: you're not afraid Z!
Afraid? Of WHAT" Then Nora
Lee stopped down and whispered in
her mothers ear: "No-rm not
afraid. I'm not. because you're better.
The doctor says we'll make you bet
Ter. but you must rest. Mother dear
/ have so many things to tell you"
MUTE LIPS.
Margaret's hand fluttered 10 her
face as il always did when she wished
20 shut out sadness. Her eyes sought
Nora Lees as though she wished TO
tell her more gently than any other
could--but TO tell her.
She would not see their message.
She stopped and kissed her mothers
hand-holding it, pouring out from her
rich young vitality such strength as
death could not resist. Ah-she would
be strong. There was no Stranger how
ering at the door. Margaret was here
she would stay here
Her clasp frightened on that dear
hand. II was warm-and death. you
know. Is always cold. Her eyes dwelt
on Margaret's face-oh, people dying
lave not such look.
Under Margaret's lashes tears
CLEANED. She faltered: I'm sorry,
darling girl"
"Mother-hush-you must be
Quiet" She laughed a little. why,
you're the frightsn.L one! But I'm
notI"
And she felt suddenly a surging
maternal frenzy as though Margaret
were the child and she the mother
TIE great. strong mother who would
soothe this little one-this dear be-
loved one. She was Margaret
snd Margaret was Nora Lee.
MEMORIES.
she remembered day in the noun
tains when she had gone scuffins
along angry and complaining. She
had said: "You don't care for me,
Miss Marmee, You don't care if ]
die of lonesomenesS
Margaret had knelt in the sage
brush and laughed softly: "My poor
little girl-my darling little one Il
only your brothers and sisters were
here. That would be better"
She remembered the excited thrill
If this fine nystery: Brothers and
sisters Oh. Marmee-haye / brothers
and sistersg
''No-my darling, but ! wish you
had. have so wished this"
Once. later. after Nora lee had
gone TO school and wanted TO 90 10 q
theater at night. Margaret said whim-
sically: TOO bad your brother is not
here"
She had demanded with a troubled
passion: -Oh, mother, you've said
said things like this before Did you
have another child? Oh, did have a
br0tbcry"
"You are my only little one.
should have had brothers for you. Be
cause that would have made you hap
pier. my Nora Lee"
Nora Lee had answered unfeGlingly +:
~Well-yes. ] do wish had few.
Margaret smiled and, coming over,
slipped an arm about her waist. Il
hare tried 20 make things up 10 you.
Tel me have ! failed sDg"
She recalled now the l0k Of pierre
Ing love 90 Margaret's face; there
-af..a - a...s.-h hsv fbotrohfg a fhpff.