Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-02-11


YOUNG WIDOW WHO
LEARNS HER YEARS OF
SACRIFICE WERE
FOR NAUGHT.
N HE LIKED her name Chris
ID tina. But George never called
her that. He called her Chris
sic. He was calling her as she
came in, his voice hoarse and fret
full. She replied, "Coming dear, "
took off her wet things and went
in to him. He was propped up in
bed, two bright red spots burn
ing in his cheeks, his eyes CLASSY
with fever, his down-turned mouth
with its deep lines contributing to
his look of misery.
Christina sat on a chair beside him.
put cool hand on his forehead. His
skin was like fire to her touch. She
said, II will send for the doctor to-
night. You need him. Otherwise you'll
be down with pneumonia"
She felt him stiffen. You will not.
Why should pay money I can't af-
ford to be told to stay in bed and
keep quiet2 A cold IS nothing. I've got
well before-Ill get well again"
But I'm scared, George. don't like
this queer noise in your chest with
your breathing"
That's nothing. TIN go away. Go
and fetch me a drink Of water-icy
cold-put lots Of ice In It,"
But he could not swallow the water.
His chest hurt him. Christina held
him while he coughed as If he would
tear his thin body apart-then he
collapsed, limp and painting into the
pillows. She left him then and went
to the door. He OWNED her intention.
"Chrissie," he gasped, II forbid you"
There was no telephone in the house
1t was still raining. She snatched her
rainproof from the kitchen and ran
hatlesS to the corner drug store. The
doctor almost accused her Of negli-
gence when he came. He blamed her
for the delay, she could see that. Until
Georges venomous hostility to his
presence told its own story
He said to Christina outside the
room-"what is the matter with your
husband? Is he afraid Of doctors?"
mo. We have very little money. He's /
afraid Of spending 1t, that's all.
wanted to call you in a week ago"
"You would have saved money If |
you had" said the doctor dryly. Hes !
in for long siege. I'll send nurse /
in tonight. It won't cost you much.
Tomorrow I'll see about having him /
moved into a hospital"
There was no tomorrow for George. /
He died at midnight. He died trying
to tell Christina something while she +
held him in her arms. Never mind"
she soothed him, never mind-an-
other time will do-go to sleep quiet
ly@"
She never knew what he was trying
TO say. His breath suddenly failed him.
Later she tried to convince herself
that at last he realized what he had
lone to her. regretted twas trying
20 tell her that he wanted her to live
he life he had deprived her of and
him with love.
When the nurse told her he was dead
he felt numb and HELPLESS and empty.
She was not inexperienced in death.
Jone Of her family was left and as a
-irl she had seen the competent work
4 people who came to the house and
ook care Of all arrangements for
unerals.
The difficulty was that there was
o little money. No insurance, OF ,
curse. Eighteen dollars in their joint
ccount and two hundred dollars she
ad secretly saved over a long period
or a vacation surprise for him.
The nurse. however, was accustomed I
D this situation. She assured Chris
ma there was nothing to be ashamed I
( in being short Of money, many {
olendid people suffered the same re- \
friction. She called up an under i
aker she knew Of He came and took &
II that was mortal Of George away 5
nd Christina was left alone in the
10 room apartment which had so
ing been home. T
It was natural that she should wish b
, move from it as quickly as possible. I,
held no happy memories, merely re- n
riction. drabness and monotony. She \
as employed in the city. There was 2
) talent for commerce in her gentle h
-tistic nature She had never been +
Die to make herself like business, so "
Ie had not risen and become success b
Il. She was still a routine stenog- II
pher earning $50 a week. Her en-
overs gave her two weeks leave 10 q
range her affairs and recuperate +
ON the shock. Il
Preparing to move, she wrote 10 a a.
slfare agency and told them they :,
sre welcome to her late husbands q
ings. It was a strange feeling TO give =.
netting freely without censure. h,
SnG naQ everything VI AAAo tAA0b NSe-N
given away piled on the sofa In the n,
lall living room-everything except =,
e contents of the old painted tin =, -,
INK he kept under his bed. She had ~
& been able to find the key, but now y
ok a chisel and q hammer from the
chen drawer to force the lock. ~
The trunk was heavy to pull out as 81
IL were full Of books and papers. u
lristina sat on the floor before It and W
sde short work Of the furnished brass pc
k. Then she hesitated before open "
Z it, feeling as IL she we're intrud- %
on the privacy Of the dead. III
IL did prove TO be fun Of papers W
{ strange unexpected papers. Evl. 81
nee to Christmas office trained or
nd that George Richie had been
ling insurance and she had not Or
clt