The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-06-13

Tony stood Berenice on her
feet. "It's-all-right, Mother" y
she said in a slow thick voice. Il
haven't been sleeping lately. I'm
-so-tired. I want to sleep in my
old bed"
'Dearestr' cried Anne. you're
ILL"
BILLS left her, MOTHER" falter-
ed Janet. 1.-TWO weeks ago. She
made me promise not to tell you. ]"
Anne flinched as if she had
been struck and Berenice shook
her head. Didn't want to worry
you. Nobody's fault but mine.
Can I go to bed now, Mother?
I'm-so-sleepy."
Tears were running down An
mes cheeks. ooh course, dearest.
Mother will tuck you in"
"Wait," said Tony Ryan.
Anne glanched at him. Her face
blanched at the look in his eyes.
What is it," she gasped. "Why
do you look like that?"
"I'm sorry" he said. He turn
ed to- Steve. Call doctor. Call
DR.. Reynolds"
ooh, what is it?" whispered
| Anne.
"She-"- Tony drew a long
breath and shook his head. He
took Berenice's arm. He began to
walk her up and down the kite
hen. He SLAPPED her wrists, her
hands.
make some strong black cof-
fee," he said to Anne. Hurry.
Take her other arm, Janet. Help
me keep her moving. We must
not let her 60 to sleep. She's
taken something, some kind of
poison"
They pried Berenice's rigid
jaws apart. Anne's hands did not
finch. She refilled the coffee cup
She forced another cupful be-
tween her child's colorless lips.
''Let-me-rest," painted Bere-
nice.
''No," said Anne.
Berenice moaned pitifully. Tony
and Janet took up their dread
full march again, half carrying,
half dragging Berenice's slack
body between them. Steve came
back into the kitchen.
"The doctor will be here in ten
minutes" he said.
"She isn't coming out of it"
said Tony. Get ice and towels,
somebody. Whip her face and
meek with them"
''I'll do it," said Anne.
Bill" whispered Berenice.
Tony glanched at Steve ''Here
are the keys to my car. Take it
and 60 after him. The names
Carter. He's the one I told you
about, sells radio advertising"
"Any idea where he ISL" asked
Steve hoarsely.
''He came to see me last week.
Said he was staying down in a
cheap rooming house across the
branch. He's very dark, big chap,
looks as if he'd been ILL.,"
''I'll find him." said Steve.
He wanted to do something,
anything. He did not believe he
could stand it if he had to go on
helplessly watching the agony in
Anne's drawn. face.
"There's the DOCTOR" said Tony
| Anne ran to open the door. She
brought the doctor back to the
kitchen. He took one glance at
Berenice and opened his medicine
case.
, "What did she take?" he asked
Tony.
"Some kind of narcotic, not an
acid, thank God!"
The doctor nodded. 'Take her
into a bedroom, get her clothes
off"
Tony picked Berenice up and
carried her down the hall. Janet
ran ahead to turn down the bed.
Between them they undressed
Berenice. No one spoke. The only
sound was Berenice's labored
moaning.
After a long while the doctor
stood up. Still no one spoke, but
Anne's eyes were fixed on his in
anguished entreaty.
"It depends on the patients re-
sistance," said the doctor gravely,
ION whether she wants to live"
"Bill, Bill" moaned Berenice.
Anne held her close. We've
sent for Bill, dearest" she said
tenderly.
"Steve will bring him." said
Tony.
Steve did bring Bill, a Bill
whose clothes hung on him,
whose face was gaunt. Berenice's
eyes were closed. She did not
open them when he came in. Bill
dropped on his knees beside her.
His lips worked, but he could not