San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-06
Sandy, in Valley of the
Shadow, Vows to Hold
Ben to Account
CONTINUED From Page 1. Part 81

, nurse held her, told her to be quiet
She wanted to tell the nurse {
ke'r HIN from the child-not to le
him near it. No-she couldn't d
that.
Her thoughts were shadows van
ishing and reappearing. She hadn'
the strength either to hold or dismis
them. Now and then she whispered
He may come in here. He sen
nowers-all these flowers" She grew
sick with this expectation.
She was afraid TO let the nurse leav,
her slone-afraid to open her eyes.
The door moving softly-someon
standing in the center of the small
room. Sandy's eyes closed. 1t wa,
he. She wouldn't look at him.
BE said: Shall 1 stay a moment
Sandy? Do you want me here?- IL
had never asked her pleasure before
She was aware that he suffered.
But the word he called her drum.
med dismally in her mind. And sht
remembered that he meant to take
the child from her: that he had told
her he wouldn't have her in his house
a moment after two months-aftel
the child was born. His saving that
and treating her so had caused all this.
She blamed him for it all.
II the child was taken, she would
charge the death to him
He came a step nearer. She didn't
stir, though she felt his eyes on her
face. Heard his breath catch.
Then he was backing to the door
standing against it, his hands on
the knob.
He went out very softly. ScaIding
tears trickled under Sandy's lids.
They burned little track down her
temples to~the pillow.
She felt now. Just because of the
way Murillo stood there that there
was no hope for she child. She felt
her mind flying-flying from her.
When the nurse came in she asked,
without opening her eyes nor turning
her head: How is it?"
Just the same
time?r
"Yes.-
Cant / see it?-
Its better il you can school your
self to leave it quiet. 1t needs the
warmth"
Did my husband see it?-
"Yes..
"Well-what would you think?
lie looked at it, Of course
What did he do?"
The nurse stopped over her: Poor
fellow; he never saw a new baby be-
fore. He cried"
After this. Sandy was quiet for a
long time. She slept-in her dreams
she went through it-word for word.
She felt Murillo's hands on her wrist
when he came toward her with his
teeth barred, asking: What about
me! What about me. Act like a chip.
Ply every chance you GET"
In her dream she became yiolentl
against him. She saw herself walking
along the beach the day he followed
ana overlook her. She heard him saw
ing: "Flaunt yourself before every
man you meet, you" When he said
That IN the dream her hand flew ont
ana struck him in the face. Another
u,me' when be said it she dashed into
Ine waters. They were frightfully cold.
ihey swelled about her. The skirt of
her dress rose. 1t became a weight
around her neck.
She put up her hands to tear II
loose. She sank. She went down and
down. The waters were walls. They
walled her in. She tried TO fight nm
ward-get TO the top again. They
sucked her-and sucked her. Her head
sswelied with the vast struggling OF
her breath.
She moaned in her sleep. Then she
called piteously for the child. She
SAID: Let me kiss il. Let me touch
No one heard this. She began to
cry.
Then a hand vent over her hair: a
soft, plump hand. A voice murmured
"Sandy-Sandy, darlingi"
1t was her mother. Sandy thought
the tears were from her mothers eyes
she asked. Why, are you crying!7
NO. dear"
You saw the baby?'
"Yes."
SIS it going to liveT'
Trust in God, Sandy dear"
''Oh. mother"
Pray TO Him"
Then you think it's going to dieT
"No.-no. But you must be brave.
We must be thankful that we have
you here"
That wouldn't matter. / want
it"
Whatever happens is for the best
You must believe this"
She looked at her mother, terrified /:
You mean that it's gone? Is it gone
already"
"NO-but you must leave it to the
dear God to do His will"
Then Sandy folded her hands. She
looked in her mothers face, her eyes
dry and resolute. Sh1 said: mo. He
better leave it with me, mother. He
bitter let me have it
CHAPTER %