Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-09-23

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assured that everything wa all
right.
It seemed incredible. Celia could
not remember when her mother had
ever been Ill before.
once Margaret Rogers moved
~restlessIy. Her lips twitched but
she did not open her eyes. The
slow rise and fall Of her chest con-
tinued regularly.
The dress shop closed az five
o'clock. but Mrs. Foster and Of
the other women stayed after that.
Presently they told Celia that a
cab was waiting at the door. They
helped her rouse Mrs. Rogers, help
ed the woman 70 rise and get ready
to 90 home.
"Celialr Mrs. Rogers whispered
softly. That was all she said until
after they got into the cab and Ce-
liza had given the driver the adj
dress. Then the mother leaned
back against her daughters arm and
gave a long sigh.
so tired" she murmured. "Glad
you're here, darling"
The driver OF the taxicab helped
Celia take her mother up the two
flights OF stairs leading TO the flat.
He volunteered and the girl could
scarcely have managed alone. The
driver was q thick set, red-faced
man who by no chance would ever
have been taken for a good Samar-
itan, but he tipped his hat. num-
bled something and hurried off
down the stairs as soon as he had
received his fare.
Lying on the bed before the open
window. Margaret Rogers looked I'D
into her daughters face and man
aged a wan smile.
"I'm-all right now-dear. See
about your dinner-Tm all right"
She refused to be waited upon.
Celia pushed the windows a. high
as r. ib'e. brought ice wrapped In
towels for her mothers head. but
nothing the girl could do could keep
the room from feeling like a bake
oven.
After Mrs. Rogers closed her eyes
and seemed to doze. Celia went into
the living room. She was hot. tired
a-si still frightened. The early after
noon seemed years away.
Presently she arose. found cold
food and nibbled at it. She had no
appetite and soon cleared away the
dishes.
At eight O'Clock she heard foot
steps on the stairs and knew they
were Barney Shields. Celia hur-
ried into the hall to meet him.
Barney's bright smile flashed
at her as he reached the top of
he stairs. Immediately ne saw
something was wrong.
"Oh. Barney" the girl said in a
low voice. I'm glad you've come
It's-Ive been SO frightened"
The youth was beside her. his
face a. grave as hers now.
what's happened?" he asked
What's the matter?"
Celia told him. They stood in the
hallway talking In whispers SO as
not TO disturb the woman in the
bedroom. Celia's words came in a
flood. interrupted once or twice
when tears got the better Of her.
Emotion. held In check for hours.
suddenly gave way.
Barney tried to comfort her.
But. honey. don't cryl Every
.hingn be all right tomorrow. I'm
sure II will. Gosh, on "a hot day
like this anyone's liable to 60 to
piecesl"
"Oh, butt don't know"
He slipped an arm around the
girl and patted her shoulder.
Your motherN feel better in the
morning" he said reassuringly.
I'm sure of it,"
II was good to confide I'm Barney.
He seemed so protective. 1t was
wonderful. too. to see the same ten
der. worshipful look in his eyes
they had held last night.
Celia, remembering. brushed q
hand across her misty lashes and
smiled back at him.
That's the girl said Barney.
Well. I suppose you don't want me
around here any longer!"
She would like to have him stay,
Celia admitted. but It probably was
best for him to 90.
For a moment Barney Shields