Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-03-20

, ital picture of Scotch terrier; it always
tired her very much to be serious.
But Lii was something of an enthusi-
asst, and liked TO talk of these things now
and then.
o. Josie. don't yon feel sure. sometimes
that you love Him very much? If only
could have lived when He did, l would
have done anything for Him.
Conscience was so stupetied with aston
ishment, it said never word.
| | have often thought, continued Lill
musingly, would like tshave put that
ointment on Ills feet, and wiped them
with my hair.
| JOS eyes twinkled little, rs she glanced
at the development on the back of ILLS
head, which was too remarkable to be
overlooked that afternoon. Hair? yes, a
little; and Japan switch. and worsted,
and rats. o, dear! gasped 10; but she
couldn't be so wicked rs 10 say what was
passing in her mind.
10, resumed unconscious Lii. do you
ever think how you'd feel il you found
yourself dying? all of sudden, say.
10 started little What is the use of
talking about such things. Lillo said she,
| Ill al dSpllCNtu lOht- lbo EuNh ~ VI
pleasant day, and it does so spoil every
thing.
l don't know, I'm sure, said Lii, but
every little while have to think about it,
whether | want to or not; and | would
like TO know how you'd feel 10.
Well I'd be terribly frightened, said 10,
with terseness and candor.
hope | wouldn't, mused Lii, il don't
seem quite right. You know we'er both
members of the church.
In good and regular standing interpo-
lated 10, cheerfully.
And why oughtnt we to be glad to de-
part and be with Christ, which is far
better?
10 shook her head with returning de-
spondency.
I'll tell you what, said Lii hurrediy, by
way of gagging conscience, who was
waking up, and suggesting several dlsa-
| oreeable answers to her questions; I'm
| afraid something is wrong; and I'm going
to make ever so many good resolutions,
New Years, 10, and turn over Il new leaf
| that's Just three weeks from to-day.
Why it was best to wait three weeks
for this desirable change, it would be hard
to tell. The workings of Lill's mind were
always mysterious; she was Il perpetual
conundrum to her friends.
The three weeks were very short, how
ever, each day seemed to fairly rush
away into the twilight; there wasn't half
time enough for anything. Mrs. Meag-
her had called once in the interval, but
Lii was Just then shaving over Christmas
presents, and couldn't be disturbed if
President Grant, the sultan of Turkey
and the queen of the Cannibal Islands,
should all call together.
At last it was New Years Eve. Lii
came home late from II merry party at
Josie's; undressed in five minutes, said
her prayers in five minutes, (or-it is moi
best TO be too positive in such Il matter
perhaps it was Sir OF Seuen; the girls will
know,)-and went to sleep while she was
getting into bed. How many hours passed
she did not know, but suddenly she came
back to consciousness, feeling very un-
comfortable indeed. She opened her eyes
and was astonished to find that some one
had lighted the gas, and the room was full
of people. There was Jane, making a
mustard paste, and cook bringing in hot
water, and Dr.. Banks-what on earth was
| he doing in her room at that time OF night!
| Lill felt little uneasy rs she wondered
what he thought of her front hair done up
on hair-pins, and then she forgot it, as she
caught sight of her father at the foot o.
the bed, looking so anxious, and hel
mother pouring something out of II bottle
and crying little too. What did it all
mean?
A most alarming attack of congestion,
said DR.. Banks, dropping her wrist, unless
she is relieved very soon
He didn't finish, but great tears fell up
on Lill's face, us her mother held the
spoon to her lips, and Lill's mind began
to work very last indeed.
Some one must be very sick; l wonder
who. 1t couldn't possibly be l And yet
what hard work it is TO breathe! Conges-
tion? yes. that is the very way Emma
died, last winter. just in II few hours
And why shouldn't l.
Lills heart beat verv fast, and then
seemed to stop a whole minute. o, no
absurd | am not going to die; of course
they will do something to help me.
How eagerly she watched them hurryine
to and fro. How strange that nobody
thought of lifting that heavy weight oil
her breast. Then she would be better
right away. But no, how stupid! she was
growing worse, worse, worse, every min
ute! o, so fast! She caught the implor-
ing look her mother gave Dr.. Banks, and
the deSoate shake of the head in return
| 1t didn't need that to tell ILL she was
going to die; and Lii e0aS horribly fright.
ened.
| | won't go! She said in paroXysm Of
terror, and she caught hold of the moth.
ers dear hands, with all the little strength
that was left.
1t didn't do any good. Lill's soul just
went shivering right out of the poor little
body; the room grew DINNER; the dear
mother, father, kind old doctor, faded
away. Lii was going, going, where?
She shut her eyes tight. On and on
through vast reaches OF space; Lii could
not tell how far, but it seemed II most
heart breaking distance from the dear old
| earth before she was conscious that mo-
| ton had ceased. At the same time, she
also became aware, in some strange way
for she had not yet dared to open hel
eyes,-that some one WAS bending ovel
her.
What ought to be done with hcrp said Il
voice, in the greatest perplexily, but Sc
sweet and clear, it made her think of the
flute stop ON the great church organ.
There seems to be little life, returned
a soft yearning voice, like Dulciana in the
| swell organ, and thereafter Lill distin
gushed them in her mind, by those names
But how very small size is, said Flute, ir
tone of such regret.
Let us measure her, suggested Dulciana
will bring the golden reed that measured
the city.
Lii felt greatly annoyed that they
should bring anything SO grand. o
course she would look very insignificant
We have no small measures in heaven
said Flute, who seemed 10 know every
thing that was passing in her mind, with
out her saying word.
There was II moment of dreadful silence
Lii felt us if she was shrinking into
nothing
1 II. II