White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-04-19

"NIaleen, my child" said she. tender
ly kissing the pale cheek. beautiful. even
now, 81 have one question to e you,
will you summon strength and answer
me ?" .stsc4,
II will try" she replied fsebly. .'but
first tell me, is this death !? Do not de-
ceiVe me-"
81 will not deceive you, Maleen. You
have suffered intensely, you win som Be
released and seek pursr cline. Are you
not happy in the thought %
"Oh, yes p she replied with slight
degree of animation, which Mrs. E. gen
" depressed, fearful that her strength
would fail ere she had revealed what she
so much wished to know, for she dread
ed to stand again in Che presence of Ma
leen's parents, unable to give them the
cause of her sudden illness and death.
"My dear Mrs. Ellerton," said the
sweet sufferer, ''raiss me in your arms
and will tell you all. But first go to
my writing desk and get a note addressed
to me. lying by itself. and" she hes
itated as if trying to recall something.
sis it another letter that you wish ?"
asked Mrs. E. tenderIy.
The sick girl replied by look, aud
her friend Immediately brought both.
"Read the note first" said Maleen.
When it was perused Mrs. Ellerton
said quietly:
"Did you love him ?"
"Oh, yes p she replied with ANNA
ton, "and though 1 would have blushed
then to have said so to YOU, yet now l
have no secrets. / wrote him that low
ed him. Oh could you know how hap
Ply was on that night, and then my
mother came and clasped me in her arms
and blessed me-"
Your mother what do you mean,
my child ?"
at ,cas 10Y mother. 1 knelt before her
portrait to ask her blessing as have al
ways done at night. Suddenly the light
grew dim, her eyes frightened, sweet
smile played around her mouth, her arms
were extended and she clasped me to her
BOSOM"
"Was it not your excited magma
ton ?"
"Oh, no have seen her since, but
not here. have been far away and she
is now waiting for me-"
"But tell me what happened after you
wrote to DIR. Boyd ?"
Maleen silently gave his letter to her
friend, then closing her eyes she seemed
relapsing into her previous stupor.
"How great have been your sufferings,
my poor child" said Mrs. Ellerton, lay
ing down the letter when she had perus-
ed it and bending anxiously over Maleen.
She saw clearly that a change had taken
place, and the tears gathered in her eyes
and fell upon the hand of the young girl.
This aroused her. She spoke, though
it was evidently last effort. Mrs. E.
bent over that she might catch every
sound.
81 have one favor to ask. When /
am gone, take from my wallet the pres
snt my father sent upon my birthday. 1t
will do something towards concentrating
his happiness Tell him that it was my
earthly wish that life might be to him
and to her he so dearly loves, one con-
tinued scene of joy" @
Mrs. Ellerton promised to perform all
faithfully. P. fl
"Have you no message for your mother
-your father, who will weep tears of
bitterness beside your grave 7"
"My mother is in heaven. / told you
So" replied Maleen, in tone as firm as
her feeblsness would permit. "She will
often rejoice, but never more weep over
me. Comfort my father he will indeed
be lenely." l'E-rtsiis..v % .er-..
Again her eyes closed heavily and she
breathed with difficulty. Mrs. Ellerton
hastily rang, and in moment Ruth was
beside her. 4 .~a5s
The dying girl raised her hands to clasp
those of her friend and nurse, but it was
evident that she could not see, and muir
muring Mother, l come" the freed spir-
it deserted its frail tenement. e.J
Many tears were shed beside the re-
mains Of gentle and loving Maleen. us
: Mrs. Ellerton preserved the letters
they were afterwards of some use.
u