She had watched for many weary
nights now beside that bed. but still
her eyes were wide and watchful, and
her attitude alert. She counted each
fluttering breath of the girlish form
beneath the sheet, she noted each
quiver of the unconscious eyelids
Tlte night wore on, and, with the
coming of the gray dawn, a wind
arose, moaning round tho little house,
and shaking tho fastenings of the sick
room window.
The dying woman stirred: she
moaned, then slowly opened her eyes
(•real, sad, blue eyes like a child In
(rouble She fixed them upon the
watcher in the chair with a pathetic
look of cut real y.
" 1 lep’/.tlmh!" The pale lips just
formed the whispered word.
The gaunt woman rose hastily and
bent over her
"Hep/ibah you have been very
good lo mo "
A painful pause, breathing was so
<1 i flli’ii 11
"Am I dying, now ?"
The woman bending over her made
no response, hut tears gathered in her
hard eyes, her thin lips quivered.
"No. you need nol (ell me. I know
I am. 1 can fee! it. He| /ihnh you
have been so good to me. There Is
something Hint you must do for
me when I am gone
Hepzihah bent over her walling,
watchful
The dying girl raised one feeble
hand, pointing toward the old bureau
In the corner of (he room.
"There in the third drawer on the
left a packet letters will you bring
them lo me?"
Hepzihah brought over lo her n lit
He bundle, tied round with faded pink
ribbon.
The dying woman fingered it lov
ingly, wistfully.
