Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-11-13


es to see you," was the message delivered
by servant 10 me one afternoon many years
ago. .." ... e
WHO is she?" ....|
"Mr. Reide's neice.'
"What does she want of me?"
II don't know"
care you sure she wants me? I am
sexton"
That's what she said.'
''Very well; l will be there in half an
hour"
l knew Mr.. Franklin Reide very well by
reputation, and in common with the rest Of
the world, | had very Indifferent opinion
of him. People said he was anything but
an honest man, and he certainly was never
known to do noble act.
Several years before his only brother had
died, leaving daughter Of sixteen to inherit
his large fortune. But he left her, it was
said, wholly in the power Of his brother
Franklin, who was appointed her guardian,
and who was the contingent heir. 1t was
we'll known that Martha Reide led very
unhappy life, that she was seldom seen in
company, and that her health had been very
much affected by her circumstances.
OF course such stat c of things as this
bred an infnity of scanduous stories. Those
who attended to other peoples business
were quite certain that Reide meant to kill
his niece, and thus obtain her property. In
accordance with my habit | paid but little
attention TO this gossip; and when entered
the Reide mansion,sI was less prejadiced
against its owner than the majority Those
who knew him.
The servant was leading me up stairs,
where Miss Reide's i'll health confined her,
when her uncle met me on the stairs.
"Ah, Mr.. MORTAL" said he, n am glad
you have come. My niece has been wishing
to see you for some time" ..
"My presence is not usually very desira-
bic, replied more for the sake of speaking
than because | had anything to saw, Cal
"She is little out of health, and is dis
posed TO be low-spirited.'
"a very dangerous disposition"
"She thinks she is going TO die. hope
you will be able to reason her out Of the
notion"
II am not exactly the person to have
much influence over her."
'She thinks she is going to die, and she
desires to see you about the family tomb
You must not cross her for she is very SEN
sitive. At the same time, if you can raise
her spirits, l hope you will not neglect the
-rar... .r ...a.
| told him certainly would not, and fol-
lowed the servant to the lady's room.
Tony surprise l found her pillowed up
in an easy chair. The gEastly paleness Of
her cheek, her livid lip,and her sunken eyes,
informed me that she was in
the last stages of the fatal malady of our
northern land. consumption. 1t was not
strange that she thought of dying, A few
brief months, at best, was all she could ex-
peot of life. ........ ...... .-
was somewhat shocked by her appear
ance. ..t..t.....
People outside did not understand her
situation. Instead of being simply out Of
health, she was on the very brink of the
grave. .....a I I..-e uaa-
"YOu may go, JOhn," said she to the SER
want, family.
81 am sorry to find You SO il, Miss Reide,"
| began. -e-.s.r4 ....-g1.
She smiled languidly; and | could per-
ceiye that she scanned my face with eager
ness and anxiety.
II should think journey to the South
would help YOU" continued.
~ am beyond the reach Of earthly help,
Mr.. Mortal.p -.aF. .,. sn-.f
sPerhaps not; many very sick people have
recovered after such journey"
II shall never recover. The physician
has given me up" Fk4 l.s
''Indeed! Does he tell you SOP" ,ryr
!. "No but my uncle has told me sO." 4
Amiable and anxious uncle! The poor
girl had actually got notion into her head
that she was going to die. II was very sin