Rosas Quest | Page 8

The intervals when the poor heartbroken woman had to stop to regain
her breath, were growing more frequent.
"But, dearest," she continued, and in her earnestness she raised herself
partly up, "the worst of all has been that I have tried to carry the burden

alone. Your father told me that I must be brave for your sake, and that
Jesus would help me; but I would not let Him.
"Last night and today I have been praying much, and now, thank God,
it is all right!"
Rosa wondered at the expression of joy flooding her mother's face,
immediately followed by one of deepest grief.
"Bend closer, darling, my voice is becoming so weak that you cannot
hear! I am so sorry that I did not do as your father said, and have never
taught you of Jesus, and now it is--too late!--I'm glad--the lady--told
you.--Yes,--He paid--the fare!--I'm--going--to move--now--to
that--beautiful land!"
"Oh, mother," sobbed Rosa, beginning to realize a little of the import of
her words, "please, oh, please don't leave me! What could I ever do
without you? Nobody loves me but you and grandpa, and I just can't
stand it, if you go away."
With her last atom of strength, the dying mother kissed her child,
whispering just so that Rosa could hear:
"Find someone--to tell you--the way,--and come--to
that--beautiful--land--where you will--find Jesus--and mother!"
So calmly did she fall back upon her pillow that Rosa, though
awe-struck, thought she was sleeping. Still clasping the thin hand, she
noticed the chill. Cautiously, lest she might disturb the sleeper, she
slipped off her little flannel skirt, the last article made by her mother,
and wrapped the cold hands within its folds. The scant coverings she
also tucked up more closely and put their last bit of coal upon the fire.
Till midnight she sat by the bed, wondering why mother was so very
still, and why she was growing so cold. At last, being able to endure the
suspense no longer, stepping across the hall, she called for Mrs. Gray.
"Land sakes, child, why ain't you in bed this time of night?"

"Please, Mis' Gray, I'd like to borrow a comfort, 'cause mother's so
awful cold, and I can't get her warm."
"Well, when a body's as accommodatin' as I am, I 'spose they must
expect to be bothered any time of day or night, too. I'll git up and see
what your ma wants. Glad of one thing, she ain't kept me awake by her
coughin' tonight, anyway; but it comes from me fixin' her a decent
supper, I reckon."
Mrs. Gray stepped to the door of Mrs. Browning's room, but something
impelled her to stop. A fear seized her, while involuntarily she clutched
Rosa's trembling hand.
There was no light in the room, save that which shone from across the
hall, the faint rays falling directly over the motionless form upon the
bed.
"Mis' Browning," she cautiously asked, "do you want anything?"
"Mother doesn't hear, Mis' Gray," said Rosa sobbing violently and
throwing herself within the cold arms, kissing over and over the lips
hitherto so responsive to her own.
"Mother dear, don't you hear me? Oh, wake up, please do! I want you
so. I don't know the way, and will get lost to go alone."
"Rosa," said Mrs. Gray almost gently, "git up and go and stay with
grandpa till I tell you to come in here, and don't you come before. I'll
have to go down them steps ag'in fer an undertaker."
"What is an undertaker, Mis' Gray, and what do they do? Will they take
mother to the beautiful land?"
"Didn't you hear me tell you to go in and stay with grandpa? So go
right this minute, and ask no more questions. You do beat all fer askin'
questions, anyhow. You might as well learn now as any time to mind,
since I have to keep you till spring. I ain't the woman to go back on my
word, but there ain't many but what would, a-promisin' under the

circumstances."
The little heart was nearly crushed with a feeling of perplexity and of
indescribable dread, but, after all, there was some comfort in being
alone with grandpa.
Stealing softly into his room, she found him sitting by the stove; and
climbing up into his lap, pillowing her tired head upon his shoulder, the
two lonely children, soothing each other, were soon fast asleep.
[Illustration]

IV.
LIFE WITH MRS. GRAY.
The events of the next few days were like a troubled dream to Rosa, as
she in vain endeavored to comprehend the meaning of all the
mysterious things going on about her. Only once was she allowed to
look upon the silent sleeper. That was just before the arrival of the great
black carriage, which, she