CHAPTER XXIII

tedyoutoknow.” Cissydiedafewnightsafterthat.RoaringAbelwasaway.WhenValancysawthechangethathadcomeoverCissy’sfaceshewantedtotelephoneforthedoctor.ButCissywouldn’tlether. “Valancy,whyshouldyou?Hecandonothingforme.I’veknownforseveraldaysthat—this—wasnear.Letmedieinpeace,dear—justholdingyourhand.Oh,I’msogladyou’rehere.TellFathergood-byeforme.He’salwaysbeenasgoodtomeasheknewhow—andBarney.Somehow,IthinkthatBarney——” Butaspasmofcoughinginterruptedandexhaustedher.Shefellasleepwhenitwasover,stillholdingtoValancy’shand.Valancysatthereinthesilence.Shewasnotfrightened—orevensorry.AtsunriseCissydied.SheopenedhereyesandlookedpastValancyatsomething—somethingthatmadehersmilesuddenlyandhappily.And,smiling,shedied. ValancycrossedCissy’shandsonherbreastandwenttotheopenwindow.Intheeasternsky,amidthefiresofsunrise,anoldmoonwashanging—asslenderandlovelyasanewmoon.Valancyhadneverseenanold,oldmoonbefore.Shewatcheditpale