The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-04-21

Was HDlle dS dSUCe, hNi bGiif tSlotS
remembered black as coal not q
wear before, streaked with gray. and
eyes sunken with long illness. When
the waterproof cloak fell from her
shoulders, her shabby dress was
most unlike Aunt Julia's babitual
neatness. But, the first shock of
surprise was over, Elsie bad no words
too loving to welcome her aunt,
while soft, tender kisses fell fast up
on the pale face.
"She is very tired, Elsie" Walter
whispered, seeing how vainly the
white lips tried to frame words. "Get
her to rest, dear, as soon as you
can"
So Elsie, tearfully loving made her
aunt lie upon the lounge, and brought
her the most tempting of tea-trays,
stopping the broken words of thanks
by kisses and caresses. Walter, too,
by hundred delicate attentions and
few spoken words made the guest
feel that she was most cordially
welcomed.
In her own room Aunt Julia told
Elsie something of the horrors that
had aged her more in one fortnight
than in any previous two years of
her life. She bad slept on :he ground
in dreaching raip, for two nights,
then in tent, with no change of
clothing, and the memory of the fire
terrors to haunt her. She begged the
paper and stamp to write to Elsie.
Then she told of Walters tender care
of her in the long journey, when she,
racked by pain, often could not speak
for hours, how like a son he had
cared for her comfort 1t was sad
story, and Elsie's tears fell fast.
But now,n she said, you are at
home. | have put underclOthes and
loose wrappers in here, Auntie, until
we can have some dresses fitted.
Let me undress you now."
Gently and tenderly the shabby
clothes were moved, the weary feet
bathed, the gray-streaked hair
smoothed and the snowy linen put
on for the night. Then utterly tired,
Aunt Julia sank into the bed, whis-
pering.
''Think, Elsie, / have not been in
bed for twelve nights !"
But, alas she was net soon te
leave it. The haven ofrest once gain
ed. Aunt Julia lay for many long
weeks, dangerously i'll with rheumat-
ie fever, brought on by exposCre,
while the tortured brain, in widest
delirium, raYed of scenes that chilled
Elsie with horror.
Ali through these weary weeks
Elsie was nurse while Walter sup
piled every delicacy that could be
found to tempt the invalid, patiently
endured the discomfoEts Of the house
haunted by sickness. and proved
himself, Jennie declared; "the near
est to an angel of any man ever she
seed"
Winter was nearly over before
Aunt Julia was able to leave her
bed, cripeled for life. The rheuma-
tism had SO twisted the joints of her
hands, legs and feet, that they were
useless and most of the time intense
! ly painful She fretted over the
prospect of being q burden upon
Walter and Elsie, with al. the des-
pair of a proud woman who had al
ways maintained her own independ-
fence, and tearfully begged to be sent
to some charitable ASYLUM, where
she would be only an expense to the
public. Elsie told Walter of the
wish, and he went to Auat Julia's
room.
Taking the crippled, helpless
hands in his own, holding them very
tenderly, he said:
"Auut Julia, Elsie bias told how
hard these little hands worked for
her for seventeen loug years. l love
Elsie SO dearly, that to grieve her
is my greatest sorrow. Do you think
| could bear to see her suffer pain,
if her second mother was sick and
alone, nursed by hired hands, while
we are able and willing to give ber
love and care? Dc not speak again
of leaving us. l have not seen Elsie's
face so sad as it is tonight, since you
come to u.s."
But, Walter, think | NAV liye
for years.
81 sincerely hope you will"
"And | can never have the use oI
nv bands and feet more than have
now. 1 can scarcely feed myself
or hobble across the room"
"The more reason you should have
loving care" Why, and Walter
laughed, while his honest brown eye:
proved his sincerity, "do you thinE
all the love here is Elsie'sI | wan
my share too, auntie, for | love voJ
; as we'll as nv wife. | ask you tC
: stay, because | want you here.
/ have not heard Elsie sigh over long
: lonely days, since you came"
1t took many more loving induce
ments, but at length, Aunt julia
E yielded. 1t was but truth that Wal
r ter spoke when be said she had wor
E bis love as we'll as Elsie's. She wa
t very patient under circulating suf
r fering, and very grateful for all the
s loving care lavished upon her
t When the pain subsided, and sh,
I could talk, she was charming com
pany, well read and full of pleasau
memories and bright observations.
While she felt herself burden
Walter and Elsie regarded her as {
; blessing. Walter no longer worried
r at leaving Elsie alone all day while
he was at his business, aud Elsi,
y never tired Of Aunt Julia, whose ex
' perience proved very valuable to lth
e little housekeeper
But month after month there wa
q scarcely perceptible failing o
: strength in the sorely tired body
: long past youthful vigor The rheu
e matte fever had left heart trouble
y and distressing spell of sufocatiol
: and palpitatioG often threatened th
o invalid's life. Always patient, SD
!: yet often prayed for death to end be
suffering, while Elsie prayed onl.
q that the dear life might be spared.
A She had been Walter Hartman