Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-10-23

with an evident Consciousness thai
E'trida Winthrop was certainly equal
if not superior, to any lady of her &C
quaintance. But / liked her yer,
much she seemed SO strong and
self reliant, that to my rather de-
pendent nature she was very fasci
mating.
That evening | went into Christie's
room again.
well, said |, do You think YOU
can like me? l hope you can, be
cause | haven't any one else to love
me unless you do
Where's your papa? p
He is dead.
/ And your mamma-haven'l You
any p
/ No; she is dead
whom did you live with, then, be-
fore you came here p
4 lived out in the country. where
my mother died, the place where we
were lodging
i have got cousin, and she loves
me, ! suppose. Haven't you got any
cousins |?
No; | have no relations at ali.
well, if there isn't any ore else,
will; and you may kiss me if you
want to-
Judith's wakeful eye twinkled with
admiration at her mistress, and de.
light at my unparalleled success with
her.
The next day | commenced my
duties, which were very light. Some
days Christie was too i'll to have any
lesson at all but when she was well
enough, taught ner for few hours.
Mr.. Huntington treated me as gently
and courteously as if ] had been a
princess, instead of plain Eva Nor.
ris, governess.
And Elfrida Winthrop, found a
very agreeable companion, and a
study, she was so utterly unlike any
other woman | had ever met.
In the late autumn OF the year, Mr..
Huntington's business called him
West, and Elfrida received press
ing invitation from a school friend TO
pass the winter with her. And as
Christie's health seemed poor of late,
MIR. Huntington preferred that l
should go with her to the South, and
pass the cold weather with a friend
OF his, minister, and it would be a
good opportunity to have company.
So it was decided, and the last week
of November found us in Charleston
Christie, Judith, and l.
The winter in Charleston 1 shall
never forget. Our life was quiet and
dreamful, and separate from the con.
fusion of the world. But Christie
grew weaker, and after while the
fountain with the palm trees, favor
ite spot with her, was too far for the
little feet. And hnally, az the spring
came, she did not leave her room.
But the change was so gradual, so
peaceful, that we, who were with
her all the time, could hardly realize it.
One evening Christie lay asleep on
the lounge. bent oyer her and list
ened to her unsteady breathing.
That night l wrote to Mr.. Hunt.
ington, and as soon as his answer
reached US, and we could make need.
full preparations, we were on our way
home.
Mr.. Huntington met US. AS he
looked at Christie first, his face was
as white as hers; even my letter had
not prepared him for the change in her
Christie sprang into his arms in
such a passion of laughter and tears.
that it shook her frail form, and re-
quired all the calmness and cheerful.
ness he could assume to soothe her.
into quiet
We had been at home Just week
All day Christie had been restless,
some of the time delirioas, with in
tervals of consciousness. Elfrida had
lain down, for she was not well, and
Mr.. Huntington and ! were alone
with the child. At twilight she re-
viyed, and said to her father, in a
voice that sounded like herself:
Il am tired. When will he come,
papa?'
'Who, darling p
The strong man Eva told me
about. She sa d he would carry me
in his arms
Mr.. Huntington bent over her till
his cheek touched hers
Don't cry, papa. Where is Eva
Eva, come here.'
i rose from the sofa where / had
been weeping silently, and came and
knelt down by her. She looked up
lovingly into my face, and put her
little weak hand and pressed it gent
ly over my face.
'I love you, Eva
Then she sank back into that state
which was neither waking nor sleep
ing. But soon she looked up again,
and said:
Don't cry, Eva
As she saw the tears falling, per-
haps remembrance of the first night
we met may have come back to her
when l told her | had no one TO
love me.
There won't be anybody then. -
Papa, will you love Eva, when there
isn't anybody else to love her?
'Yes, darling
But, feeling that her little duties
were not yet fully accomplished, she
turned to me and said:
Eva, you will love papa, won't
yon?'
bent lower over her, for / felt a;
that moment that my secret that
had buried might possibly be revealed
in my eyes. | don't think could
have replied, had not Mr.. Hunting
ton turned to me and said:
will you, Eva?'
What | saw in his eyes made it
easy for me to say yes 1t was
spoken very low F; but he heard it,
and bent and kissed my forehead.
Then troubled look swept over
Christie's face like shadow, aud she
said:
Eva said / would get home to
morrow
But she presently looked up into