San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-04

and smiled because this kept
her mind from thinking because this
froze the tumult in her heart.
Oh, years-there might be years
She murmured this and pressed mel
fingers TO her mouth; pressed them
till the flesh burned. .'
Years, yes! But then again there
might be only days. She covered her
face and covering it saw blue eyes
wild, pleading eyes that chung to herr
and soft young lips that pleaded: "Oh
mother-No"
A SWIMMERS FIGHT.
She wished TO rise then and steal
into Nora Lees room, look down al
the sleeping form, touch the jetty
curls. She saw her with one arm
crooked beneath her head, the lashe'
so soft on the round, smooth cheek
Gather the dear form in her arms
make it brave-make it strong
But Margaret didn't move. Sh;
would save her strength. She woulc
make it last - she would not leave
loving, storming, pleading one atone
remembered that he turned his
head; that he said evasively: DEATH
may visit any of us without much
she would not spoil her sweet, imper,
ious eyes of youth with such unhappy
tears.
No! She would not die-she would
not! She showed out her hands as q
swimmer drowning fights the massing
waters-fights and tries to rise
Two weeks Margaret had slept in
her chair. at the window. Easier,
sleeping in a chair. But at night she
turned the lock in her door softly.
Nora Lee must not awaken and come
upon her sitting here.
She repeated, smiling as one
whose thoughts are Tapped in peace /:
Years are mine-many years"
"SPARE YOURSELF"
The doctor told her this-not this
exactly, but he said: Zone sleeps in
a chair as well as in a bed. Don't
let this brighten you.I-
Margaret merely unclasped her
hands. 81 wish to know. l want to
know the truth"
II can not tell it. No one can.
With care, you may live years. But
you must be content with quiet.
Spare yourself. Spare every step"
Il do not feel that l have years. /"
She watched him, saying this and no.
tice. l cannot give you guarantees. +"
1T may come to me abruptly and
without a word of warning?"
His brows raised meditatively.
81 wish TO know. / want to be
prepared. Well, you know" and she
laughed softly: I'D like my house
in order"
PUT your affairs in order. We
should all do that"
YEARS OR DAYS"
"Ah-tell me, have years or
days."
He insisted grimly: Il cannot pre-
Dict" And there was beaten look
about his face as though he saw
defeat and hated it.
She went to her desk in that fright
cned, bewildered hour. She took a
pencil and figured wildly-a white,
frantic smile on her lips. There were
the bonds-only a thousand dollars of
them used; there was this house. They
must exchange the bonds; sell the
house. Why, Nora Lee would have
enough-she could do nicely.
Margaret wept. She thought Of
Andrew bringing these bonds. 1t
opened the freshets of grief and Of
thanks. How kind this was in Fate
lin him. How frightful if she had
gone and Nora Lee was left defense
less-left without a dollar.
Oh, leaving her? Leaving the lit
tie one that only yesterday she had
carried in her arms; cuddling the
downy head in rapture at her throat,
hushing all cries with tender songs ::
healing all hurts with eager kisses.
Leaving Nora Lee TO stand in this
empty room, bereaved, rebellious,
broken hearted? Margaret saw the
vivid lips Strengthened with stormy
grief; saw the flashing, impulsive eyes
grown fierce with sorrow, And she
would be the one to snatch the bright
ness from this glowing life; she would
be the one to put a starkness on this
high and ardent heart. .i..
Life should not do such things. She
that has brought life to the world
should not be the one TO take joy
from it. Life should spare mothers
till their little ones are grown; till
their little needing things are strong
Margaret was drawn to that room.
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