Part 30 (1/2)
”They didn't even have to pack that nasty old gauze in it again--were you very much scared waiting out there, Dan?”
”Very much.”
She started at the queer note in his voice, caught her hand in his brown locks and pressed his head back in view:
”Why, you're crying--you big foolish boy! You mustn't do that. I'm all right now--I feel much better--there's not a trace of pain or uneasiness.
Don't be silly--it's all right, remember.”
He stroked the little hand:
”Yes, I'll remember, dearest.”
”It should all be healed in three weeks and then we'll go to New York.
It'll just be fun! I've always been crazy to go. I won't mind the operation--you'll be with me every minute now till I'm well again.”
”Yes, dear, every moment now until--you--are--well.”
The last words came slowly, but by a supreme effort of will the voice was held even.
He found mammy, told her the solemn truth, and sent her to hire a nurse for the baby.
”Either you or I must be by her side every minute now, mammy--day and night.”
”Yessir, I understand,” the dear old voice answered.
Every morning early the nurse brought the baby in for a romp as soon as he waked and mammy came to relieve the tired watcher.
Ten days pa.s.sed before the end came. Many long, sweet hours he had with her hand in his as the great shadow deepened, while he talked to her of life and death, and immortality.
A strange peace had slowly stolen into his heart. He had always hated and feared death before. Now his fears had gone. And the face of the dim white messenger seemed to smile at him from the friendly shadows.
The change came quietly one night as they sat in the moonlight of her window.
”Oh, what a beautiful world, Dan!” she said softly, and then the little hand suddenly grasped her throat! She turned a blanched face on him and couldn't speak.
He lifted her tenderly and laid her on the bed, rang for the doctor and sent mammy for the baby.
She motioned for a piece of paper--and slowly wrote in a queer, trembling hand:
”I understand, dearest, I am going--it's all right. I am happy--remember that I love you and have forgiven--rear our boy free from the curse--you know what I mean. I had rather a thousand times that he should die than this--my brooding spirit will watch and guard.”
The baby kissed her sweetly and lisped:
”Good night, mamma!”
From the doorway he waved his chubby little arm and cried again: